Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1902 — ConGRESS. [ARTICLE]

ConGRESS.

Again the (Rebate on the Philippines had the right of way in the Senate on Friday. A joint resolution was passed to permit steam railroads in the District of Columbia to occupy temporarily parts of streets for the benefit of the traveling public during the national encampment of the G. A. R. in October. The resolution offered by Mr. Culberson calling upon the Secretary of War for certain information as to Gen. Smith’s order in the Philippines was at the suggestion of Mr. Culberson himself indefinitely postponed. In the House the statehood bill for Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma was passed. The rest of the session was devoted to private pension bills, eighty-seven of which were passed, twenty-eight original, fifty-four for increase and five to complete military records. The army appropriation bill was passed by tbv Senate on Saturday and also an urgency measure appropriating SIOO,OOO for the relief of the volcano sufferers in the French West Indies. Mr. Perkins reported the fortifications appropriation bill. Mr. Proctor reported the bill making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture. A bill for the sale of sites for industrial plants in Indian Territory was passed. A resolution offered by Mr. Harris calling upon the Secretary of the Interior for information as to the sale of Indian lands in Kansas was adopted. Mr. Pr«aßor offered a resolution. which was adopted, calling upon the Secretary of War for information as to how many Barbette carriages have been manufactured since July 1, 1893, and other information as to the disappearing gun carriages. A resolution by Mr. Patterson calling upon the Interstate Commerce Commission for information as to safety appliances in use on various named railroads wgs also adopted.

- In the Senate on Monday the Philippine bill again held the right of way. The House emergency bill appropriating $200,000 for the relief of volcano sufferers was passed. On motion of Mr. Proctor the vote by which the army appropriation bill was passed was reconsidered and the bill nmended so as to restrict the provision for the sale of army posts to those of Indianapolis, Columbus and Buffalo, and authorizing the President to use the money derived therefrom ill purchasing other lands in the vicinity and constructing other posts; also .o authorize the subdivision of this property. As amended the bill was passed. The House passed emergency bill appropriating $200,000 for the relief of volcano sufferers in the West Indies and killed tlie bill consolidating the gas companies of Washington, D. C.. by striking out the enacting clause.

In the Senate on Tuesday an additional appropriation of $300,000 was voted for the stricken people of the French West Indies. The agricultural appropriation Dill was passed and then Mr. Stewart spoke in support of the Philippine bill. The conference report oil the Cuban diplomatic and consular bill was adopted, the House conferees accepting the amendment making the salary of the minister to Cnha $12,000 a year, and the Senate accepting the amendment striking out the provision for $2,000 a year for the minister’s house rent and for an additional consul. In the House discussion of the naval appropriation bill was begun. The conference report on the omnibus claims bill was rejected on the ground that claims not considered by either branch of Congress had been inserted in the measure by the conferees and the measure was returned to conference.

During the greater part of the Senate session on Wednesday the fortifications appropriation bill was under consideration. Mr. Proctor offered an amendment providing that no part of the appropriation made should lie used for procuring disappearing gun carriage*. This precipitated a debate which continued for two hours, and had not been concluded when the measure was laid aside for the day. A further conference on the omnibus claims bill was agreed to, witli M essrs. Warren. Teller and Mason as tlie conferees. In tlie House tlie naval appropriation bill occupied attention throughout the day. Mr. Dayton tW. Va.) spoke on the ned of strengthening tVa.) spoke on the need of strengthening W. lvitchin (N. (’.». Fitzgerald (N. Y.), Metcalf ((’al.l and Maynard (Va.) strongly advocated the building of warships in government navy yard*. The debate took a wide range at times. Mr. Rhea (Va.l speaking iu criticism of the administration’s Philippine policy and Mr. Elliott (S. (’.) presenting the advantages of the proposed Appalachian forest reserve. Rising to a question of personal privilege, Mr. Mali. m (Pn.) indignantly denied statements contained in a circular sent to members alleging that certain contributions bad been made to bis campaign expenses. The conference report on the Cuban diplomatic and consular bill was agreed to.