Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1897 — SENATE AND HOUSE. [ARTICLE]

SENATE AND HOUSE.

WORK OF OUR NATIONAL LAWMAKERS. A Week'* Proceedings in the Hall* of ~ Congress—lmportant Measures Discussed and Acted Upon—An Impartial Resume of the Business. _____ - - -Sj-i AV> * The National ftoloas. The House Wednesday was ggaii) engaged Iti tariff debate, the discussion lasting into the night. The Opposition made by the colleges of New England and by many scientific men against the duties placed on books and scientific apparatus by the Dingiey bill induced the framers of the measure to amend it and restore so many of these articles to the free list as are imported for the use of educational institutions. The Senate's open session lasted only half an hour, and no buainesa was done beyond the introduction of bills. Among these was one by Mr. Allen, of Nebraska, to repeal the civil service laws, nnd to do away with educational tests as a preliminary to entering the public service. Mr. Hoar, of Massachusetts, presented a bill prohibiting vitascope and - kindred exhibitions Of prize fights in the District of Columbia and the territories and forbidding the shipment of pictures for these exhibits by mail or through any interstate means. The Senate confirmed the appointment of Binger Hermann, of Oregon, to be Commissioner of the General Land Office; E. G. Timms, of Wisconsin, to be Auditor of the Sstate and other departments, and George E. Thnmn mcl, of Nebraska, to be Marshal of the United States district of Nebraska. - The four-days’ debate upon the tariff bill in the House closed Thursday night, making the bill open for amendment under the five-minute rule until the time set for a vote. The Senate held a half-hour session early in the ilßy,_and then, after two hours in executive session on the arbitration treaty, resumed the open session in order to go on with the bankruptcy D ‘ , Amended credentials were pre-sent-ed m behalf of John W. Henderson, appointed by the Governor of Florida to the seat vacated by Mr. Call. It brought out a statement from Mr. Hoar, acting chair- . S“ ® f the Committee on Privileges and Elections, that action on the pending election cases was delayed by the uncertainty as to committee organization in the Senate. Ihe revised credentials were referred to the Elections Committee. The tariff bill was thrown open for amendment under the five-minute rule in the House Friday, but seven weary hours of work only served to dispose of nine of the IG2 pages of the bill. Three slight committee amendments were adopted, one of which was to increase the duty" " on white lead from 2% to 3 cents a pound, the rate in the act of 1890. The present duty is cents. In the Senate Mr. Gallinger (liep.) of Nebraska presented several forms issued by the civil service commission to .substantiate- his recent statement that certain applicants for office were required to hop on one foot for twelve feet. The Senator read the ‘‘hopping , provision and several other ques“°"2v9f, to the weight and height of the tJfjipSners, which he characterized as absurd. Referring to the size and weight ntqniise'mcfnt Mr. Gallinger said ‘‘Phil could not have served the govc’v service commission hpa gos at him.” The matter was referred to-the Civil Service Committee. Adjourned to Monday. Th*the House Saturday, only five more the 16_ pages of the bill were disposed , of, making fourteen pages in two of the five days allowed for consideration under the five-minute rule. Only five amendments were adopted, all of minor import-. ance, and each an amendment of the ways and means committee. Fully two hours were spent in the discussion of whether the foreigner or consumer paid the tax. If more progress is not made night sessions may be held. Senator Warren of Wyoming, in conference with the Republican members of the Senate committee on finance on schedules affecting Western interests, made some suggestions concerning third-class wools, looking more, however, to a change in adjustment than n change of rates.

The House Monday, without a quorum, continued debate of the tariff bill but made little progress. The Senate resolution appropriating $250,000 for immediate use on the Mississippi, amended so as to carry $140,000 for clerk hire for members to July 1, $20,000 for miscellaneous expenses of the House and sl,000,000 customs deficiencies, was adopted, and at 5:25 the House adjourned. In the Senate a bill was reported favorably to prevent kinetoscope exhibitions of prize fights. Mr. Caffery of Louisiana secured favorable consideration of a joint resolution on making intniediatelf available $250,000 for the improvement of the Mississippi River from the head of the passes to the mouth of t the Ohio River. The appropriation is to be deducted from the $2,500,000 given to the Mississippi River by the last river and harbor appropriation bill. The bill was passed confirming the compromise made between the officers of the government and the authorities of Arkansas relating- to mutual claims. At 12:50 p. m. the Senate went into executive session on the arbitration treaty. Tuesday was the last day for debate of the tariff bill in the House, and no other business was done. A number -of amendments were adopted, but not one-third of the a hole bill had been considered when debate closed. In the Senate Senator Allen, of Nebraska, made a long speech on the constitutionality of tariff taxes beyond those requisite fdr revenue. The House amendments to the Senate joint resolution appropriating $250,000 for the saving of life and property along the Mississippi River were agreed to. Among the petitions was one from the Board of Sheep Commissioners of Montana urging the most ample protection on wool, in accordance with the platform promises, and asserting that the policy of protection would not long prevail without this adequate protection to the wool growing interest. Notes of Current Events. The Massachusetts House defeated by a vote of 99 to 61 the resolution, foe a monument in State House yard to Gen. Benjamin F. Butler. After a bitter debate and many stormy scenes, the Manitoba Legislature ratified the settlement of the Roman -Catholic parochial school question. The claim of Edward J. Ivory, the alleged dynamite conspirator, for $20,000 damages against the English Government for false imprisonment, has been forwarded to Secretary of State Sherman. Joseph Blanther, the murderer Qf Mrs. Langfeldt in California, committed sillcide while in jail at Meridian, Miss., bytaking poison. Officers were expected the same day to take him back to California. Articles of incorporation were granted in New Jersey to the Composite Typebar Company, with an authorized capital .*1 $10,000,000. The company is to manufacture machinery and objects used In the art of printing. ■ In response to uotieqs from American importers, several of the Toronto'houses are rushing to the United States all the wool they have for the American trade. This is done in anticipation of the proposed duty of 12 cents a pound.