Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1897 — SENATE AND HOUSE. [ARTICLE]

SENATE AND HOUSE.

WORK OF OUR NATIONAL LAWMAKERS A Week's Proceedings in the Halls of Congress—lmportant Measures Discussed and Acted Upon—An Impartial Resume of the Business. The National Solons. The Senate Wednesday resumed consideration of the tariff. Mr. Vest, opposition leader, moved a reduction in the duties upon boracie acid, and was defeated, 34 to 20. The debate was participated in by Senators Vest, Jones of Arkansas, Aldrich, Perkins, White, Caffery, Gray, and Stewart. Mr. White, a Democratic member of the Finance Committee, opposed Mr. Vest’s amendment, urging that the California industry required the rate allowed by the committee. Seven paragraphs of the bill were considered during the day, the committee being sustained in each instance. The resolution was agreed to authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to employ any, suitable ship in forwarding relief supplies to India. The House was not in session.

The Cuban resolution was brought before the House Thursday. A motion to refer to committee, none of Which are yet appointed, was declared by Speaker Reed to be out of order. Mr. Lewis appealed from the ruling, and the appeal was tabled—9l to 57. Adjourned. The Senate made good progress on the tariff bill, disposing of ten pages. Several votes were taken, the Finance Committee being sustained in each case by majorities varying from six to fifteen. The drug schedule was under discussion and the debate was largely technical. Before taking up the tariff the final conference report on the sundry civil bill was agreed to, including the provision suspending until March 1 next the executive order creating extensive forest reserves. After a long period of silence Senator Tillman of South Carolina startled the Senate Friday by a speech no less dra-matic-in its delivery than sensational in its allegations. He declared the public statements that Senators were speculating in sugar stocks, pending the settlement of the sugar tariff schedule, were getting to be so persistent and forceful that it was a national scandal. He preceded his speech by presenting a resolution for the appointment of a special committee of five Senators to investigate the charges. The Senate then took up the tariff bill. The House did nothing. The Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds agreed to report favorably the bills for public buildings at Baltimore' Md„ to cost $1,500,000; Durham, N. C.’, $125,000; McKeesport, Pa.. $200,000; Washington, Pa., $75,000; Wilkesbarre, Pa., $225,000; Butte City, Mont., $300,000, and Aberdeen, S. D.. SIOO,OOO. For the first time in many years a member of the United States Senate was Saturdty afternoon directed to take his seat as a result of statements made in debate. The Senator who offended was Mr. Morgan, of Alabama, and the man who called him to order was Senator Hale, of Maine. Mr. Morgan was at the moment soundly berating Speaker Reed for bis exercise of the one-man power in the House. The presiding officer at the time was Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire, but after the spurt of indignation on the part of Mr. Hale was over, Mr. Morgan continued his speech declaring, for the first time during the twenty years he had served in the Senate, this was the only occasion on which he had been directed to cease debate aud take his seat. He wanted the American people to know that such demands were made at a time when the Senator so dealt with was defending the Constitution. The whole day was consumed in a further consideration of the glass schedule. The Senate adjourned over Monday.

The Senate made good progress on the tariff bill Tuesday, advancing to the important metal schedule. During the day the paragraphs covering marble and stone, china, glass, brick and tiles were completed, with a few minor exceptions. The Senator from South Carolina. John L. McLaurin, who succeeded the late Senator Earle, was sworn in at the opening of the session. This establishes the personnel of the Senate as it will remain for some Republicans, 43; Democrats, 34; Populists, 7; Silver Republicans. 5; vacancy, 1 (Oregon); total, 90. The House passed two minor Senate bills, but because of non-existence of committees could do no other work. However, a lively attack was made upon the policy of holding up appointment of committees until after the Senate finishes with the tariff.