Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1900 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

On Monday, in the Senate, formal discussion of the right of former Senator Quay to a seat in the Senate was begun by Mr. Turley. Consideration Of the Hawaiian government bill resumed. An amendment was made striking out the property qualification of voters for members of the legislature, but little other progress was made. | The,Senate on Tuesday heard Mr. Depew in support of the retention of the Philippines and Mr. Turley in opposition to the seating of Mr. Quay. Amended Hawaiian bill so as to make void all contracts for labor entered into since Aug. 12, 1858. The general debate on the Porto Rican bill in the House closed in a blaze of glory. The galleries were banked tq the doors and every seat on the floor was occupied when the rival champions . of the. respective sides—Mr, Dolliver of lowa and Mr. Bailey of Texas—made the closing arguments. Before these closing speeches wore made Mr, Cannon of Illinois, one of the veterans on the Republican side, made an-exceptionally effective speech in support of the bill. On Wednesday the Senate postponed until Thursday the vote on the Hawaiian government bill. Mr. Aldrich, chairman of the finance committee, liiade an explanation of the work of the conferees on . the financial measure, his statement resulting in an unexpected and spirited debate. Mr. McLaurin of South Carolina made a speech®on the Philippines. On Thursday in the Senate the bill pro viding a form of government for the territory of Hawaii was passed without division. Mr. Clay delivered a carefully prepared speech on the Philippines. He favpred the adoption of the Bacon resolutions, declaring it to be the policy of the United States to turn over the islands to the Filipinos as soon as a stable government could be established by them under the protection of this country. At the instance of Mr. Foraker the Porto Rican tariff bill was made the unfinished business and will be considered as soon * “as”ttte conferc'nce report on the finance bill shall have been disposed of next Tuesday. It was decided to take a final vote on the conference report on the financial bill next Tuesday at 4 p. m. In the„ House the Democrats scored their first victory of the session on the motion to take up the contested election case of Aldrich vs. Robbins from the fourth Alabama district. On two separate votes the Democrats, with the aid 'of two Republicans, Mr. Mondell of Wyoming and IL C. Smith of Michigan, beat the Republicans upon the question of consideration. An agreement was. made to consider the Loud bill relating to second-class mail matter March 20. A bill was passed to grant an American register to the ship Windward, in which Lieut. Peary will make an attempt to reach the north'pole, in the House on Friday a special message from the President was read recommending that all the revenue collected on importations from Porto Rico since the evacuation of the island by Spain (amounting to over $2,000;P00) should be placed at the disposal of the President for the relief of the island. It is as follows:

“To the Senate and House of Representatives: Since the evacuation of Porto Rico by the Spanish forces on Oct. 18, 1898, the United States has collected on products coming from that island to the ports of the United States the duties fixed by the Dingley act and amounting to $2,095,455.88, and will continue to collect under said law until Congress shall otherwise direct. Although I had the power and, having in mind the best interests of the people of the island, used it to modify duties on goods ami products entering, into Porto Rico, 1 did not have the power to remit or modify duties on Porto Rican products coming into the ports of the United States. In view of the pressing necessity for immediate revenue in Porto Rico for conducting the government there and for the extension of public legislation just inaugurated by the House of Representatives, and for the purpose of making the principle embodied in that legislation applicable to the immediate past, as well as to the immediate future. I recommend that the above sum so collected, and the sums hereafter collected under existing law, shall without waiting for the enact merit of the general legislation now pending be appropriated for the use and bene fit of the island.” In the Senate Mr. Hoar made a speech in favor of the seating of Mr. Quay. Debate on the Porto Rican tariff bill consumed the rest of the day. On receipt of the message from the President the House passed a bill placing in the President’s hands all the money collected upon Porto Rican goods since the Spanish evacuation, to bo used for the relief of Porto Ricans. Mr. Maun (111.) called up the contested election case of Aldrich vs. Robbins from the Fourth Alabama district. The Democrats attempted a filibuster, but the case was taken up, 136 to 129. The case was debated for the remainder of the day. Saturday's session of the Senate vas brief on account of the death of Representative Epes of Virginia- Mr. spoke in opposition to the seating ot .1. S. Quay, and Mr. Teller spoke in criticism of the conference report upon the currency bill. A number of private pension bills were passed. In the House the chaplain in his invocation made feeling reference to the death of Mr Epes. It had been intended to proceed with the Aldrich-Robbins contested election case, but unanimous consent was given to vacate. the order heretofore made and postpone' the final vote until the next Tuesday nt 2:30 p. m. Resolutions on the death of Mr. Epes hvere adopted and u committee appointed to attend the funeral.