People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1897 — WORK OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

WORK OF CONGRESS.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS AT WASHINGTON. The House Agrees to the Final Conference Report on the Immigration Bill liy an Immense Majority—Arbitration Treaty Debated. Friday, Feb. 5. Senator McMillan introduced, by request, in the senate, a bill declaring ‘‘The Star Spangled Banner” to be the national song of the United States. Richard R. Kenny, the silver Democrat from Delaware, was sworn in in the senate, his credentials being regular and signed by the governor. No objection was made, though Senator Chandler stated his belief that H. A. Dupont had been legally elected, adding however, that Mr. Kenny could be seated and the matter brought before the senate hereafter. Monday, Feb. 8. The house devoted the whole day to District of Columbia business, and two bills of more or less local importance were passed. The conference report on the immigration bill was presented, and notice given that it would be called up Tuesday. The Anglo-American arbitration treaty was under consideration by the senate in executive session. Senator Morgan urged the prompt ratification of the treaty, with the amendments proposed, and Senators Morgan and Daniel opposed it. Tuesday, Feb. 9. The house agreed to the final conference report on the immigration bill by an overwhelming majority (217 to 33) and passed two more pension bills over the President’s veto. A bill was passed to prevent the fraudulent use of the word “copyright” on books and other publications. The most important development concerning the consideration of the arbitration treaty by the senate in executive session Tuesday were the offering of an amendment by Senator Morgan /Ala.) providing for the abrogation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and the speech of the same senator in favor of this proposition. % Wednesday, Feb. 10. The house has passed the senate bill relating to the carrying of obscene matter by express companies, and it went

to the President for his signature. Senator Morgan, the champion of the Nicaragua Canal bill, announced in the senate his abandonment of that measure so rthe present session of congress, and thereupon it was displaced by the bankruptcy bill. The senator gave notice that he would renew his advocacy of the bill at an early day of the coming extra session. The agricultural appropriation bill was then taken up. It brought out a severe arraignment of Secretary Morton by Mr. Vest (Rem., Mo.). Senators Chandler and Gallinger also criticised the business methods of the secretary.