Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1900 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

In the Senate on Thursday Washington’s farewell address was read with fine elocutionary effect by Ms. Foraker. Owing to the absence of some Democratic Senators Mr. Penrose announced that he would not call up the Quay case until Friday. In the House debate on Porto Rico tariff bill continued, a notable speech being iuade by Mr. Grosvenor. On Friday the Senate by a vote of 34 to 28 decided to take up the Quay case, and Mr. Daniel made a speech in favor of seating Mr. Quay. Mr. Vest and Mr. Foraker delivered notable speeches anent the Hawaiian government bill. Both were constitutional arguments, Mr. Foraker’s being in reply to that of Mr. Vest. The House continued debate on the Porto Rico tariff bill, Mr. Littlefield (Me.) making a noteworthy speech in opposition thereto. Mr; Lacey of lowa, Mr. Russell of Connecticut, Mr. Gardner of Michigan, and Messrs. Jones of Virginia and Maddox of Georgia also spoke. On Saturday the Senate debated the Hawaiian government bill. The discussion took a wide range, but the basis of it was an amendment offered by Mr. Platt (Conn.) as to the appointment and tenure of office of the judges of the Hawaiian courts. Mr. Tillman embraced the opportunity to make a characteristic speech, in the course of which he made an attack upon Mr. Morgan and vigorously opposed many provisions of the bill, particularly those which related to suffrage. The House continued debate on Porto Rican tariff bill, the principal speech being by Mr. Tawney of Minnesota, who replied to Mr. Littlefield’s speech of Friday. On Monday, in the Senate, formal discussion of the right of former Senator Quay to a seat in the Senate was begun by Mr. Turley. Consideration of the Hawaiian government bill resumed. An amendment was made striking out the property qualification of voters for members of the legislature, but little other progress was made. In the House the debate on Porto Rican tariff bill was continued.

The Senate on Tuesday heard Mr. Depew in support of the retention of the Philippines and Mr. Turley in opposition to the seating of Mr. Quay. Amended Hawaiian bill so as to make void all contracts for labor entered into since Aug. 12, 1858. The general debate on the Porto Rican bill in the House closed in a blaze of glory. The galleries were banked to the doors and every seat on the floor was occupied when the rival champions of the respective sides—Mr. Dolliver of lowa and Mr. Bailey of Texas—made the closing arguments. closing speeches were made Mr. Cannon of Illinois, one of the veterans on the Republican side, made an exceptionally effective speech in support of the bill. On Wednesday the Senate postponed until Thursday Jhe vote on the Hawaiian government bill. Mr. Aldrich, chairman of the finance committee, made an explanation of the work of the conferees on the financial measure, his statement resulting in an unexpected and spirited debate. Mr. McLaurin of South Carolina made a speech on the Philippines. He is the first Democratic Senator to declare himself for expansion. The House passed the Porto Rican tariff bill by a vote of 172 to 161.