Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1903 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

There were two speeches In the Senate Friday on the Cuban reciprocity bill, one of them by .a Democrat in support of the bill, and the other by a Republican in Opposition to it. The opposing speecn was made by Mr. Bard, of California. Mr. McCreary, of Kentucky, made his maiden speech in the Souftte and supported the bill. Senator Platt, of Connecticut, introduced a resolution authorizing the printing of all the accounts of the government of Cuba during American occupation. Senator Culberson, of Texas, introduced a resolution that the committee on the judiciary be directed to report as early as practicable whether the inhabitants of the department of Panama may lawfully form an independent government In that ter ritory. Senator Tillman, of South Car olina, Introduced a resolution directing the committee on the judiciary to make Inquiry into the question of what constitutes recess appointments by the President The birth of the republic of Panama and its recognition by this government was the subject of a spirited debate In the House. Mr. Dinsmore (Dem.. Ark.) severely criticised the administration in connection with the canal, and Mr. Hitt (Rep., Ill.), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, replied in defense of the President and his Central American policy. Mr. Williams (Miss.), the minority lender, replied to Mr. Hitt, declaring the minority did not condone the part taken by this government in connection with Panama affairs. The Senate spent Monday on the Cuban bill, most of the time being occupied by Mr. Bailey of Texas iu an argument against the constitutionality of the proceeding. He also opposed the bill ns a matter of general policy. Brief speeches were made by Senators Teller, Depew and Lodge. Senator Morgan presented a concurrent resolution declaring that Congress lias the right to be informed of any purchases to be made in Panama by this government prior to the making of such investment. A bill to create a bureau of public roads in the Department of Agriculture was introduced by Mr. Gallinger. Tlie House was in session for a little more than four hours. The pension appropriation bill wns up. but no conclusion *- was reached. The isthmian canal and the Republic of Panama, the tariff, tobacco interests and questions affecting labor were debated. A concurrent resolution providing for n recess adjournment from Dec. 19 to Jan. 4 was adopted.

The Senate continued the debate on the Cuban bill Tuesday. Mr. I’erkius of California spoke for the measure, as did Mr. Simmons of North Carolina. Mr. MeCumber of North Dakota opposed it. Mr. Patterson of Colorado made a speech against the bill, during which there were numerous colloquies between himself, Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dolliver. Two bills were introduced by Senator Penrose designed to strengthen the laws regulating the use of the mails. One Is aimed at the "get-rieh-quick” concerns, another at guessing contests, and includes (he District of Columbia and "all territory within the jurisdiction of - the United States” in the law forbidding the u-e of the mails for the transmission of lottery tickets. Senator Heyburn of Idaho introduced n joint resolution -requesting the President to acquire b.v annexation the Island of San Domingo, the dependencies of San Domingo and Hayti. Rural free delivery, reciprocity with Canada and the neA republic of Panama were topics of discussion in the House. The subject of rural free delivery was introduced by Mr. Maddox (Dem., Ga.). wlio claimed that certain States had been favored in the establishment of routes. Mr. Hepburn (Rep., Iowa) and Mr. Hemenway (Rep., hid.) among others replied on (lie Republican side. Mr. Crumpacker (llep.; Ind.l defended the course pursued by the administration in denliug with the Centrnl American situation. Representative De Armoiid of Missouri introduced a bill providing for the ranking and promotion of officers of the United States army on merit.

By the decisive vote of 57 to 18, tha Senate on Wednesday passed the. bill carrying into effect the reciprocity treaty made with Cuba. The principal speeches were ninde b.v Mr. Spooner for the bill, and by Mr. Bailey against it. The Senate agreed to the House resolution providing for a holiday recess from Dec. 19 to Jnn. 4. Senator Carmack introduced a resolution instructing the Senate Committee on Postoffices and Post Roads to direct the Postmaster General to send to the committee all papers connected with tire recent investigation in his department, and directing the committee to make further inquiry into the administration and expenditures of the Postoffice Department. Senator Nelson introduced a bill to grant to the State of Minnesota for forestry purposes any tracts of vaennt public lands not reserved or withdrawn which shall l»e certified as fourth-rate in soil and too hilly or rocky for cultivation. Cen#ai American affairs were discussed in the House and also pensions, indnstrinl and agricultural conditions and labor. The session lasted more than fonr hours, the House being in committee of the whole almost the entire time on the pension appropriation bill, on which no conclusion was reached. A bill was introduced by Representative Payne, of New York, amending the act to simplify the laws in relation to the collection of revenues.