Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1893 — FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

_ In the Senate, Monday, the Hawaiian message from the President was received and read in usual form. The instructions of the Secretary of State to Minister Willis were also read by the Secretary. Mr. Hoar moved that the me s lge and accompanying documents be printed and referred to committee on foreign relations which was agreed to. Mr. Morgan introduced a bill as to provisional governments providing that whenever the United States shall acquire dominion over apy foreign country or place by treaty or annexation or otherwise the President of tho United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, may appoint a governor for the same and a legislative -council to consist of any number of persons, not less than five nor more than twentyfive, whose acts shall be subject to revision or repeal by Congress, and unless a treaty of annexation or cession shall otherwise provide, said governor and council shall constitute and conduct a provisional government for such country or place until Congress shall otherwise provido by law. The bill was referred to the committee on foreign relations. In the House the reading of the President’s Hawaiian message was delayed on account of the pension debate until 3:39 p. m. Following the reading of the message and accompanying documents Mr. Boutelle brought forward & resolution which failed of adoption, declaring the administration policy to be inconsistent with the constitution. Great excitement ensued. The confusion was so great that the Sergeant-at-arms was called upon to preserve order. A resolution by Mr. Cockran for the appointment of a committee of seven to investigate the alleged invasion of the territorial integrity of the Hawaiian islands by the last adminstra tion went down under the retaliatory objection of Mr. Boutelle. In the Senate, Tuesday, Mr. Hoar spoke In favor of the repeal of tho federal election laws. Mr. Peffer advocated his bill appropriating money for immediate use Mr. Hoar stated that on Wednesday he would speak on the Hawaiian message. Mr. Frye offered a resolution making inquiry of the Secretary of State concerning the alleged privileges granted to a French cable company to land on the coast of the United States, the said company enjoying a perpetual monopoly in Brazil that would forever prevent citizens of the United States from landing a cable on the coast of Brazil. Mr, Huntbn objected and the resolution went over under the rule. At 4:56 the Senate adjourned. In tho House. Tuesday, Mr. Cockran offered a resolution inquiring into the attempt of the last administration to annex territory without consulting the House of Representatives. Immediately a dozen members on each side of the House rushed inward the bar for recognition. Under the rules the resolution was referred without a motion. Mr. Breckinridge moved to go into committee of the whole, but Mr. Boutelle secured the floor and offered a resolution declaring that the prerogatives of Congress had been invaded by this administration. “The message of the President read here, yesterday,” he said, “indicated that this country may become involved in war with a friendly power. For all we know,” he said in a loud voice, “the arms of the United States may be oyen now pinioning with their bayonets a friendly nation with whom the mass of the people of this country sympathize.” He held, he said, that It was the imperative duty of Congress, reluctantly recognized by the President, to disavow, discredit and reprobate a policy designed to bring the country into discredit in the eyes of the civilized world.” [Great apaplause on the Republican sldo.] “I care not whenco this policy emanates,” continued Mr. Boutelle, “whether from a Republican President or a Democratic usurper.” Tho confusion that, followed the word “usurper” drowned the rest of the sentence. Ho continued to talk, amid loud cries for order, and the Speaker at last, with the aid of his gavel, brought the House to a standstill. The speaker then recognized the point of order made by Mr. McCreary, and the resolution was referred to the committee on foreign affairs. Mr. Boutelle and Mr. Dlngley became Involved in a dispute, and tho Speaker ordered all members to take their seats. Mr. Boutelle appealed from the decision of tho Chair and McCreary moved to lay the appeal on tho table. McCreary’s motion prevailed—--189 to 89. The excitement was great and the Speaker was visibly affected. Routine business then occupied the attention of the Hom e. The salary and mileage resolution passed, appropriating $130,009 mileage for the House, $45,003 for the Senate, $45,009 for stationery for the House, and SII,OOO for stationery for the Senate. Resolutiou giving employes a month’s extra pay was carried, and the House adjourned. At Wednesday’s session of tho Senate the Hawaiian question was disposed of for the present. After a lengthy speech by Mr. Hoar, in which lie reviewed the whole matter, quoted Shakespeare, compared Cleveland to Dogberry, and said that the President lmagiued that he was the United States. Mr. Morgan offered a resolution relegating the message and documents to the committee on foreign relations, which was afree t to. The mileago bill came up, and Mr. Pfeffer moved to strike out tho item allowing mileage to members for the present session. After some debate the motion was rejected and the bill passed. Resolution to appoint joint committee to investigate Nicaraugua canal were agreed to. The Senate then considered executive business, after which it adjourned, At tho session of the House, Wednesday, the deficiency bill called forth a bitter arraignment of both parties by Mr. Hutchinson, of Texas. The pure food bill was referred to tho committee on commerce. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury was laid before the House. Mr. Wheel r reported a bill for the admission of Oklahoma Territory. AMU to permit Montana to locate certain public lau.-a was passed and at 5 o’clock the House adjourned, __________