Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1900 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

The Senate on Thursday, by a vote of 15 yeas to 33 hays, refused to substitute the Nicaragua canal bill for the Spooner Philippine bill as the unfinished business, and by a vote of 22 yeas to 23 nays refnsed to displace the Spooner bill for the Alaskan civil code bill. Listened to a speech by Mr. Burrows against the seating of Mr. Quay and to a speech by Mr. Jones of Arkansas in response to an attack upon him by Congressman Dolliver during the Porto Rico debate in the House. The House adopted a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to designate depositories in Porto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines for the deposit of Government funds. Passed a Senate bill which will permit the dependent mothers of soldiers and sailors of the Spanish war, even though they married Confederate soldiers, to receive the benefit of the general pension law. Devoted the remainder of the day to debate on a resolution for a constitutional amendment empowering the Legislatures of the States to decide whether United States Senators shall be elected by the Legislatures or directly by the people. A substitute was offered giving the States no option, but providing that in all States the people shall vote directly for Senators. The Senate held no session on Friday. The House by a vote of 240 to 15 passed resolution for constitutional amendment providing for election of United States Senators by popular vote. Attempt of Mr. Hepburn of LoWa to set aside May 1 for consideration of the Nicaragua canal bill was defeated by objection of Mr. Burton of Ohio. Rest of the day devoted to consideration of private pension bills. There were several sharp attacks upon Mr. Talbert (Dem., S. C.) for his course in delaying action. _ On Saturday the Senate passed eightythree private pension hills. The Alaskan civil code bill was under consideration for some time, but finally went over until Monday. In the House after an hour of routine business the session was devoted to hearing eulogies on the late Gov. Oliver P. Morton of Indiana in connection with the acceptance of his statue, which has been placed in Statuary Hall at the capitol by the State which he served. The speakers included Messrs. Steele, Miers, Crumpacker. Overstreet, Griffith, Hemenway, Brick, Alexander, Faris and Watson of Indiana. Grosvenor of Ohio and Cannon of Illinois. Fifty-three private pension bills were passed. On Monday the House joint resolution in favor of a constitutional amendment providing for the election of United States Senators by the people was laid before the Senate and after debate was referred to the committee on privileges and elections. During almost the entire session the Senate had under consideration the Alaskan civil code bill. The amendment providing for the mining of gold along the beach in the district was perfected, after a discussion lasting nearly four hours. In the House consideration of the naval appropriation 'bill began, its provisions being explained by Mr. Foss, the acting chairman of the naval committee. The Senate on Tuesday heard Senator Hoar speak against the retention of the Philippines, and then resumed consideration of the Alaskan civil code bill. In the House the second day of debate upon the naval appropriation bill was confined closely to the subject matter of the bill. The questions of armor plate and the building of warships in Government yards attracted most attention. The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution introduced by Mr. Mason appropriating $25,000 for bronze medals, to be distributed by the Secretary of the Navy among certain officers and men of the North Atlantic squadron who participated in naval engagements during the war with Spain. Devoted the rest of the day to consideration of the Alaskan civil code bill. The House debated the naval appropriation bill under the five-minute rule, A motion to strike from the bill the contingent fund of $500,000 for the Navy Department was defeated. Conference report on the urgent deficiency bill was adopted.