Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1899 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

The last possibility of an extra session of Congress disappeared Wednesday when the House passed the Senate army reorganization bill. The bill passed 203 to 32. The decks were also cleared of many other important matters. The general deficiency appropriation bill, carrying $21,089,000, was passed nnder suspension of the rales, without a word of criticism. The Senate amendments to the river and harbor bill were nonrconcurred in and it was sent to conference. The conference reports on the omnibus claims bill, the naval personnel and many other less important measures were agreed to. The Senate bill making Dewey a full admiral was passed. The naval appropriation bill, which ordinarily consumes the time of the Senate for several days, was passed by that body after less than five hours of debate. One of the first acts of the Senate when that body convened was the consideration of the bill carrying $20,000,000 with which to pay Spain for relinquishment of the Philippines in accordance with the treaty of Paris. Mr. Allison (Iowa) reported the measure from the Committee on Appropriations and asked for its immediate consideration. The bill was laid before the Senate and in half a minute was passed without a word of debate. The Senate concluded the day’s session by pronouncing eulogies upon the late Representative Dingley. In the House on Thursday two public building bills attached by the Senate to bills for public buildings in other cities were agreed to, one appropriating $250,000 for a bnilding at Los Angeles, Cal., and the other $75,000 for a building at New Brighton, Pa. A number of conference reports on minor bills were adopted. Mr. Payne (Rep., N. Y.), the floor leader of the majority, moved the passage, under suspension of the rules, of the bill appropriating $500,000 for the Pan-American exposition to be held at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1901. The bill was passed, 141 to 10. Mr. Southard followed this motion with a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill to appropriate $500,000 for the Ohio centennial exposition to be held at Toledo. The bill was passed, 120 to 19. Mr. Mercer (Rep., Neb.) moved to suspend the rales and pass the Senate bill appropriating $1,000,000 for a new bnilding for the department of justice in Washington. At Mr. Cannon’s request an amendment was adopted limiting the cost of the building to $1,000,000, and as amended the bill was passed. During almost the entire session the Senate was engaged in routine business. Three score or more of minor bills were passed, the calendar being cleared entirely of private pension bills and of measures correcting military and naval records. Two measures of national importance were passed—the fortifications appropriation bill and the bill providing a code of criminal laws for the. district of Alaska.

Friday was the last day of the congressional session. Sessions in both houses were prolonged through Friday night. During the day the army bill brought Senator Foraker to the front with his amendment to prohibit the granting of franchises in Cuba and led to debate participated in by half the Senators on the floor. The overwhelming vote by which the amendment was passed after the provision for the withdrawal of the troops had been stricken out indicated a decided opinion that will have weight in the labors of the colonial board. The bill was passed as amended. The river and harbor bill from conference led to filibustering, headed by Senator Carter, to secure an appropriation for irrigating the arid west and threatened the passage ofshe bill. There was considerable debate on the sundry civil bill, which was finally passed. A bill providing for a Government exhibit at and to encourage the Ohio centennial and northwest territory exposition to, be held at Toledo, Ohio, and appropriating $500,000, was passed. The following bills were passed: To incorporate the National White Cross of America, amending the internal revenue laws relating to distilled spirits, authorizing the construction of a bridge over the Tennessee river at Sheffield, Ala.; authorizing the Washington and Gettysburg Railroad Company of Maryland to extend its line of road into the District of Columbia. A bill providing a site for the Washington public library building. In the House the army bill was passed with all the Senate amendments.