Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1898 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

The House on Thursday disposed of two important measures. The Alaskan *!hhd bill, extending hombsteid laws to and providing for certain railway, rights of way in the district of Alaska, as amended by* the ‘Senate* and agreed upon in conference, was passed. The labor arbitration measure, providing for the arbitration of labor disputes between employes and certain common carriers, a bill which had received very wide ment by labor organisations throughout the country, received the approval of the House. It provides that in case a serious controversy concerning wages, hours of labor or oehditiona of employment shall arise between a carrier subject to the .act and the employes, the chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Commissioner of Labor shall, up--00 the request of either party, endeavor amicably to settle the dispute by .mediation, and m case the endeavor shall foil then the controversy may be submitted to arbitration of a board of three person*, ■ each party to the controversy to. name one arbitrator, and the two thas named shall name a third. The agreement to submit must contain stipulations that the arbitration shall be begun within five days, and the award shall be filed within twenty -days from the appointment- of the third arbitrator; that the award shall be filed in the Circuit Court of the United States for any district whereby the employer carries on business; tMt the parties shall consider the award fiqaj and conclusive, ,aw),faithfully execute the same; that the award shall continue in force as between the parties for one year, and that the employer shall not dismiss nor shall any employe, dissatisfied with the award, quit work under three months without giving thirty days’ notice* Hie award shajl final and v operative ten days after filing, unless an appeal shall be taken within “the ten days on exceptions to matters of- law. 1 The act recognizes organized labor-and provides penalties for : -(employers discriminating against employes by reason of their connection with or purpose to joui 'stictf'organization.

Mr. Morris (Minn.) called up and the House passed a joint resolution declaring the lands within the former Mille Lac Indian [email protected] in Minnesota to be subject to entry under-the land laws.of <the United States. The House adjourned-to | Monday. ,* ,a« During almost the entire session the Senate had under consideration the postoffice appropriation bill. The measure carries $99,224,300, being very much the heaviest of all the appropriation bills. The most important action upon the measure was the .adoption of an amendment offered by Mr. Tillnian (S. (j.) reducing the .number of deliveries of map In all pities of the country to a number/ pot exceeding four each day. The aipenjJ/ ment waß sharply antagonized to business interests in. the .lergu pities* but the feeling of the Senate was such that despite the vigorous opposition it prevailed by a decisive majority. ;A lively debate was precipitated by an amendment of the committee striking out tpe appropriation of $300,000 ' rural fi;ee delivery. The proposition was discussed U>r nearly two hours, Mr.i Chandler (N. H.) and Mr. Butler (N.- €J.) leading the fight in favor of rural delivery. By, thie close vote of 25 to 22, however, the committee .was sustained- and- the-' bill' now carries no appropriation for such delivery. jin important amendment to the bill was one which will prevent star-route contractors from sub-letting their contracts. In order to get'their money they' must be able to swear that they- performed the service themselves. Kitting tribute was paid by the Senate to Commodore Dewey for the magnificent victory he achieved in the battle of Manila Bay. A message from the President ( was received recommending that a vote of thanks be extended by Congress to Commodore Dewey and the gallant officers and men of his command. Without a word of debate and without a dissenting voice the Senate agreed to' the resolution carrying into effect the recommendation of the President, The Senate went farther, even, that that. A bill was presented increasing the number of rear ad* mirals in the navy from six to, seven in - order that the President might nominate Commodore Dewey to the highest position in the navy within his gift, and that, tab, was passed without dissent. In addition a joint resolution, was unanimously agreed to directing the Secretary of the Navy to present to Commodore Dewey a sword and medal of honor and to httve swuck, in commemoratiofi Of the bifttie %t Mfeniia, a bronze medal for each of the officers end men who participated In the gallant fight. The resolution appropriates SIO,OOO to enable the Secretary to cajtry its provisions into effect. The greateripart of the day in the House was con3 led by war measures. The reqommeqion of the President that a vote of nks be tendered' Comfiibdore Dewey aul his associate officers and men was followed quickly with a unanimous vote, and with equal concert the House passed tha bill creating an additional rear admiralship for the hero of Manila. The biff providing for the organization of a volunteer engineer brigade and enlistJof 10,()00 volunteer troops immune pica! diseases was passed after two of debate. The principal ground of tion presented was found in the feagiving to the President the appoint* of all officers, 'The Senate hill an- > thorizlng the army to distribute food ' among the suffering Cubans and to arm the Cuban people was passed.