Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1899 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

Numerous petitions expressing sympathy with the South African republics in their war with Great Britain were presented in the Senate on Monday by Mr. Mason of Illinois. Resolutions in opposition to the retention of the Philippines introduced by Mr. Tillman and Mr. Bacon. Speech by Mr. Morgan in favor of his resolution to prohibit trade combinations interfering with interstate commerce. The House passed currency bill providing for gold standard by vote of 190 to 150, eleven Democrats voting with Republicans in affirmative. Committees announced by Speaker. The Senate on Tuesday substituted Senate for House financial bill and received notice from Mr. Aldrich that he would call up the former Jan. 4, 1900, and press it to passage. Received from Mr. Stewart a resolution granting the Commercial Cable Company the right to lay a cable to Cuba. Passed a bill creating a commission of .five to revise and codify the pension laws. Mr. Allen, appointed from Nebraska, took the oath of office. The House referred the President’s message to the various committees and listened to speeches by Mr. Grow (Rep., Pa.) in support of the administration’s policy in the Philippines and by Mr. Beil (Pop., Colo.) criticising the President’s utterances on prosperity. Received from Mr. De Armond (Dem., Mo.)- a resolution declaring against retention of thfe Philippines. On Wednesday the Senate laid upon the table resolution from regents of Smithsonian Institution asking that Richard Olney be appointed to vacancy on the board, Mr. Hoar saying Supreme Court justices might as well suggest who should fill vacancy on that bench. Referred to judiciary committee resolution by Mr. Butler for constitutional amendment providing that chief justice and United States judges be elected by popular vote. Received from Mr. Hoar resolution declaring in effect for withdrawal from the Philippines. Passed resolution requesting the President, if not incompatible with public interests, to communicate to the Senate all the testimony and findings of the commission which investigated the conduct of the Spanish-Ameri-can war. Adjourned to Jan. 3, 1900. In the House no quorum was present and time of brief session was occupied by humorous filibustering prior to adjournment to Jan. 3, 1900.