Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1900 — WORK OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WORK OF CONGRESS.

Beer sustained a defeat in the final round-up of votes in committee of the whole House Friday evening, first, when Mr. Newlauds of Nevada offered an amendment cutting the war tax on that product to $1.20 per barrel, and again when Mr. Barthold of Missouri otflered an amendment making the tax $1.50 flat. The Newlauds amendment was defeated by a vote of 74 to 119 and the Barthold amendment by 64 to 199. The ways and means committee provision for a reduction of 20 per cent, or a flat tax of $1.60 per barrel, as reported by Chairman l’ayno, was adopted. The most startling action of the committee in its discussion of the war tax bill was the adoption by a vote of 129 to 106 of an amendment introduced by Representative Henry C. Smith of Michigan providing fur the restoration of the stamp tax on express receipts, and also providing that the express companies should pay the tax. Ten millions a minute was the new record established by the House on Saturday in disposing of appropriation bills. The bill providing $145,245,090 to pay pensions during the fiscal year, 1902, was considered iu committee of the whole, reported to and passed by the House in fifteen minutes. There was no debate, save n brief statement by Barney (Rep., Wis.) to the effect that the hill contained no new legislation, and was, in fact, a literal copy of the law for the current year. Earlier in the day the new delegate from Hawaii, It. YV. Wilcox, appeared and was sworn in. Then the bill to reduce war revenue taxes was passed, the measure leaving the House as it was recommended by the committee on ways and means. The reimposition of the tax on express receipts made Friday in the committee of the whole was not approved by the House, the amendment beiug rejected on a yea and nay vote, 125 to 139. A motion to recommit, with instructions to frame the revenue by $7,000,000, and to frame an income tax, was defeated, 131 to 155. Monday was suspension day and the House passed 102 private pension bills? Passed bills to divide Kentucky nud W est Virginia into two judicial districts and to create another district judge iu the northern district of Ohio. By a vote of 51 to 105 defeated a bill to give old soldiers and sailors preference in the matter of Federal appointments. Passed a bill to place Congressman Charles A. Boutelle on the retired list as a captain in the navy. Passed an urgent deficiency bill carrying $182,500 for contingent expenses of the House of Representatives, Indian affairs, District of Columbia ami the national home for disabled volunteer soldiers. On Tuesday the House passed Senate bill amending uet authorizing construction of bridge across Mississippi river at Dubuque, Iowa; also bill changing time of holding court in southern judicial division of lowa. Devoted rest of day to consideration of Senate bill to change terminal facilities of Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Washington and elevate its tracks aeross the Mall, south of Pennsylvania avenue. Bill was antagonized on ground that it gave the road thirty-four and one-half acres of government land nud would destroy scheme to beautify the Malt from capitol to Washington monument. The House on Wednesday at the end of a spirited contest extending over two dnys passed bills to compel the Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Ohio railroads to abolish grade crossings, to alter their routes into the city and to change their terminal facilities. An amendment was placed upon the Pennsylvania bill to require tlie road to build a new station to cost not less than fl,soDjfxH). The bills were vigorously antagonised by a portion of the minority under the leadership of Mr. Cowherd (M<>.), on the ground that they were too liberal to the roads. The Senate has referred the credentials of W. A. Clark and Martin Mnginnis, contesting Senators from the State of Montana, to the committee on privileges nud elections. v Sonntor Cullom lins introduced bills for pensious of SSO a month each to The widows of Gens. John M. Pulmer and John L. McClernand. Gen. Miles appeared before the Senate military affairs committee in ndvocacy of changes in the House army bill. The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Col. John F. YVeston Its commissary general of the United States army.

Soon after the Senate convened on Friday Mr. Allison, chairman of the committee on appropriations, reported from that committee the House resolution providing for a holiday recess of Congress beginning Friday, Dee. 21, and extending to Thursday, Jan. 3, and it was passed. The President pro tern., Mr. Frye, announced the appointment by authority of the resolution adopted two days before of Senators Hanna of Ohio, Spooner of YVisconsin and Jones "of Arkansts to make the necessary arrangements for the inauguration of the President of the United States on the 4th of March next. Most of the day was spent in secret session on the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. I'n the Senate on Saturday notice was given by Nelson (Itep., Minn.) that he would on Jan. 12 next submit resolutions ns to his deceased colleague, Mr. Davis. After some routine morning business the Senate at 12:25 o’clock went into executive session on the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. The Senate was in executive session practically all day Monday over the HayPauncefote treaty, and Senators Money and Mason occupied the time iu making speeches upon the treaty. Senator Money’s speech was a flat protest against the entire proceeding in connection with the treaty. He talked for two hours, contending for the right of the United States to act iu this matter independently of other nations. Senator Mason spoke in support of his suggested amendment authorizing the United States to defend the canal as it may deem proper in ease it constructs the canal. Just before adjourning an agreement was reached to take a vote upon the treaty on Thursday. Five treaties were ratified by the Senate Tuesday in secret session. The most important was a treaty with England extending the time for the ratification of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Although the fact was not known outside of diplomatic circles, the time for the ratification of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty expired five months ago, and the treaty until this action of tlie Senate was in reality dead. The convention ratified extends the time of the acceptance of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty by the United States until March 4. The other treaties ratified are extra dition treaties with Chili and Bolivia and treaties extending the time for the acceptance of the reciprocity treaties with Barbadoes aud Argentina. The remainder of the day was spent in consideration of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty in executive session. On YY'ednesdny the Senate passed House resolution authorizing President McKinley to appoint Congressman Boutelle (Maine) captain on retired list of the navy. Passed urgent deficiency bill. Passed bills giving pensions of SSO monthly to widows of Gens. John M. Palmer aud John A. McClernand.

HOUSE.

SENATE.