Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1896 — NATIONAL SOLONS. [ARTICLE]

NATIONAL SOLONS.

REVIEW OF THEIR WORK AT WASHINGTON. Detailed Proceedings of Senate and House—Bills Passed or Introduced in Either Branch—Questions of Moment to the Country at Large. The Legislative Grind. The new deficiency bill, framed to meet the objections of the President'? recent veto, passed in the Senate Monday, as it came from the House, amid great cheering. When the immigration bill was taken up Mr. Morgan of Alabama spoke in support of his amendment, that tjie restrictions of the act should not apply to persons coming to this country from Cuba. He said no country had contributed a better class of people to this country's population than Cuba. In the House, the Sherman resolution relative to Virginia bonds was adopted. A special deficiency bill providing for the pay of salaries of members seated by the House and for several other minor matters was passed under suspension of the rules; also a bill to establish a site for the erection of a penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The conference report on the Indian appropriation bill containing the, 'compromise relative to the old settlers’ claim was agreed to and the bill sent to further conference. Mr, Daniels again called up the Aldrich-Underwood contested election case. This aroused the ire of the Democrats. The question of consideration was raised, but this time the House decided, 130 to 68, to consider the case. During the progress of the roll call many of the Democrats left the hall. Mr. McMillin of Tennessee attempted to force a division on the conference report on the District of Columbia bill as a means of developing that no quorum was present, but Mr. Dalzell of Pennsylvania, who was temporarily in the chair, manipulated the parliamentary situation so as to prevent this, and subsequently, despite the warm protests of Air. Terry of Arkansas, declined to entertain an appeal from his decision. The District of Columbia appropriation bill was sent baek to further conference, and the house took a recess. The Senate Tuesday agreed to final conference reports on the naval and Indian appropriation bills. The resolution for an inquiry into the circumstances of the award of the statue of Gen. W. T. Sherman was defeated. A supplementary deficiency bill, covering mileage of new members of the House and other minor items, was passed. A House bill was passed authorizing the Attorney General to select a site and secure plans for a Federal prison On the military reservation at Leavenworth, Kan. The House gave its final approval to conference reports on two of the four appropriation bills—the naval and the Indian bills. Most of the day in the House was devoted to the consideration of the Aldrich-Underwood contested election case from the Ninth Alabama district. The Democrats attempted to filibuster, but were overcome, and when the vote was taken the contestant, Mr. Aldrich, wpo is a brother of Mr. Aldrich who was seated in the place of Mr. Robbins, was given the seat by a vote of 116 to 107. Fifty Republicans voted with the Democrats against this action. A number of bills were passed by the Senate Wednesday, including the important bill giving trial by jury and other safeguards in prosecution for contempt of court. The measure has been vigorously urged by labor interests, particularly railroad employes. It is the outcome of the agitation resulting from the imprisonment of Eugene V. Debs for contempt of an injunction issued at the time of the Chicago strike. The bill as passed continues the power of summary punishment when an offense is committed in the immediate presence of a.judge. But in indirect contempts, such as violation of an injunction, the bill provides that the accused shall be given a full hearing, with opportunities to summon witnesses and offer a defense. The Senate bill to increase the pay of the letter carriers was passed. An enormous amount of business was transacted by the House. Fifty-three bills and joint resolutions were passed, the most important of which, probably, was the bill appropriating $200,000 for the Transmississippi exposition at Omaha. Bills were passed to extend the scope of the investigation of the Agricultural Department into the question of road improvements, to authorize the Butler and Pittsburg Railroad to construct a bridge across the Alleghany river, ana to grant permission for tne erection of a monument in Washington in honor of Samuel Hahnemann. A bill was passed to pension the widow of the late Brigadier General John H. Gibbon at the rate of SSO per month. A bill was passed to amend the shipping laws so as to provide still further for the comfort and health of sailors. Congress adjourned Thursday. The snal session oT the Hrntso was devoid of public interest. The speaker closed the tession in a graceful speech, in which he thanked the members most cordially and felicitated them on the work of the session. The President’s executive clerk announced the President’s approval of the two appropriation bills last passed. The committee appointed to wait on the President appeared and Mr. Dingley, the chairman, announced that the committee had performed its mission, that the President had informed the committee that he had no further communication to make and congratulateu Congress on the early completion of its labors. The last obstacle in the Senate in the way of adjournment was removed when, soon after the session opened, the enrolling clerks brought in the last of the great supply bills—that for the District of Columbia. The Vice-Presi-dent announced the appointment of Senators Harris, Faulkner and McMillan as a committee to inquire into the charities of the District of Columbia, with a view to ascertaining the extent of sectarian control. The inquiry was provided for in the District of Columbia appropriation bill. Mr. Harris (Dem.) of Tennessee offered resolutions expressing the thanks of the Senate to Mr. Frye of Maine, president pro tern., for the uniform courtesy and ability with which he bad presided over the Senate. A similar resolution of thanks to Vice-President Stevenson for bis dignified and impartial service as presiding officer was offered by Mr. Allison. Both resolutions were unanimously adopted. A few moments before the hour set for adjournment the Vice-President rapped. the Senate to order and said: “Senators, I am deeply touched by the resolutions personal to myself adopted by the Senate. It has been my earnest endeavor impartially to execute the rules prescribed for the guidance of this body. For the aid you have so generously given me in the discharge of the duties that pertain to this office, as well as for the courtesy uniformly shown me, I am profoundly grateful. And now, wishing each of you a safe return to home and constituents, it only remains for me to declare the first session of the Fifty-fourth Congress adjourned without day.” The gavel descended with a whack at the last word, and the session was over. v