Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1901 — Congress. [ARTICLE]

Congress.

On Thursday the Senate considered postofflee appropriation bill. Amendment providing for pneumatic tube service killed. The old controversy over the special pippropriations for fast mail service engaged much attention. It was decided to begin holding night sessions Friday night. The House passed deficiency appropriation bill, after day of exciting debate. The Senate on Friday passed two of the great supply bills—the postofflee and the diplomatic and consular appropriation. During the greater part of the session a proposition to discontinue the appropriations for fast mail facilities from New York to New Orleans via Atlanta and from Kansas City, Mo., to Newton, Kan, was under discussion. By a decisive vote the appropriations were continued. An effort was made to obtain an l appropriation to continue tbo pneumatic tube service in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, but it failed. An amendment was agreed to authorizing the Postmaster General to investigate the question of establishing a postal telegraph system and to report liis findings to the next Congress. After a spirited debate the conference report on the Indian appropriation bill -was rejected and sent back to conference. Early in the day, Washington's farewell address, in accordance with a custom of the Senate on Washington’s birthday, was read, the reader being Senator Bacon of Georgia. The House devoted an hour to unanimous consent legislation and two hours and a half each to the passage of private claims bills and private pension bills. Nine bills were passed by unanimous, consent and twenty-nine claims bills and 139 pension Bills were passe*}. Among the latter was the Senate bill to pension the widow of the late Gen. Henry W. Lawton, who was killed in the Philippines. As the bill passed the Senate it carried SIOO a month. Tfie House cut the amount down to SSO upon the representation that Mrs. Lawton enjoyed a comfortable income. The Senate on Satuftlay passed St. Louis exposition appropriation bill, with amendments for Sunday closing and an appropriation of $250,000 for the Charleston exposition next December. Passed fortification appropriation bill. The House adopted a resolution to investigate the pay of its employes. The hill Wjnorense the efficiency of the revenue Jaitfer service was deha cil for two hours, but no action was taken. Several of the appropriation bills were sent to conference. The seed amendment to the agricultural bill was agreed to. At 4 o'clockpublic business was suspended to permit the House to pay tribute to the memories of the late Representatives Clarke of New Hampshire and Shaw of New York. The Senate devoted Monday to debate on the Philippine amendment to the nriuy appropriation bill. The House devoted the day to conference reports. Concurred in Senate amendment to navy bill striking out appropriations for new battleships and cruisers. In the Senate on Tuesday important amendment to I’hiliiqiiue amendment to army appropriation bill was agreed to. It was amplification of amendment previously offered by Mr. Ilnar. laying restrictions upon sale of public lands and granting of franchises and concessions in Philippines. Mr. Morgan (Ala.) con tinned his speech on both the Philippine and Cuban amendments. He appealed to the committee to withdraw both propositions, maintaining Congress was treading upon dangerousxround. During the afternoon Mr. Allen severely arraigned Rear Admiral Sampson for indorsements upon ap plication of Chief Gunner Charles Morgan of the navy for promotion to grade of commissioned officer. Conference report upon District of Columbia appropriation bill was agreed to, as was also partial report of conferees on postofflee appropriation bill. The House agreed to a partial conference report on Indian appropriation bill, and sent bill back to conference; defeated eonfermiee report on the naval bill on account of item cresting assistant chiefs in Navy Department. Adjournment taken in the midst of violent attack upon the Speaker by Congressmen Lentz, Richardson and others because a speech by Mr. Lents had been withheld from the Congressional Record on account of its offensive nature.

Wednesday in the Senate was devoted to debate on the Ciilmu and I’hilippiue amendments to the army hill, after which voting begun on the minor amendments to the measure. All of them were offered by Democratic Senators, and all of them were voted down by heavy majorities. Philippine amendment adopted by a vote of 45 to 25. Cuban amendment adopted by a vote of 43 to 20. In the House the day was spent iu consideration of various conference reports. Reports on fortification. District of Columbia and military academy hills, the latter containing anti-hazing legislation, were agreed to. Naval hill was sent hack to conference after defeat of a motion to concur in the Semite's provision for three more submarine torpedo boats. St. Louis fair hill was sent to conference for a settlement of differences.