Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1900 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

Tie Senate passed the Porto Biean tariff bill on Tuesday by a vote 40 to 31. The House entered upon consideration of the substitute for tbe Senate Hawaiian territorial bill under a special order. The debate was in committee of the whole, and only- three of the six speeches were pertinent to the bill. Mr. Knox (Mass.), chairman of the committee on territories* delivered a carefully prepared speech hi advocacy of its passage. Mr. Robinson (lnd.) criticised a section in tbe bill, which, he said, continued in force labor contraets existing in Hawaii, denouncing it as legalizing a system of wage slavery. Mr. Mondell (YVyo.) spoke generally in support of the bill. Mr. Lane (Iowa), one of the Republicans who opposed-the Porto Kico tariff bill, made a vigorous speech, reaffirming his position, and warning bi.s Republican associates that the country would not support afi unfair policy toward the Porto Ricans. Peace was restored before the Senate convened on Wednesday and during tin proceedings of the session there was only a reminder of the harsh langnage used just before adjournment Tuesday. The session opened with a lively and interesting discussion of the status of the Quay case, in the course of which Mr. Wolcott apologized for the .language he had . Osed -Tuesday, disclaiming any intention of being offensive to anybody, least of nil to his friend Mr. Lodge. The Colorado Senator'made u vehement and eluqnent appeal for early action upon the Quay case. He was supported by other friends of Mr. Quay, and it was decided finally to take up the ease Thursday, un der the unanimous consent agreement made on March 16. In accordance also with that agreement the Spooner bill was made the unfinished business, thereby bringing the Philippine question to « direct, issue in the Senate. In the House there was an exciting scene as the climax of a discussion of the Kentucky situation when Mr. Wheeler, a Kentucky Democrat, and Mr. Pugh, a Kentucky Republican, faced each other from oppo site sides of the main aisle and indulged in a wordy duel. Mr. Pugh charged Mr. Wheeler with misrepresenting certain facts. He was laboring nnder great excitement. Mr. Wheeler showed admirable temper, and. though quick to resent the fancied insult, awaited the explanation of Mr. Pugh, in which he disclaimed any intention of imputing to him personally a desire to distort the facts. Through out the debate, which was precipitated by Mr. Boering, the other Republican member from Kentucky, there was an air of suppressed excitement. It was tinfirst time the subject bad been broached in the House, and intense interest was manifested. Mr, Lacey of lowa concluded the debate with a general denunciation of the Goebel election law. This incident overshadowed the other speeches on the Hawaiian bill, many of "which were irrelevant.

Mr. Gallinger presented an argument in the Senate on Thursday against Unseating of M. S. Quay as a Seuator from Pennsylvania. He devoted himself a I most entirely to the constitutional phases of the question. Most of the day was spent in executive session on the HayPauncefote treaty. In the House when 4 o’clock, the hour fixed for taking a vote on the bill to provide territorial govern ment for Hawaii, arrived, less than hair the bill had been covered and so many amendments remained that it was agreed to continue the consideration of the bill under the five-minute rule until it was finished. Several important amendments were agreed to. among them the following: To nullify all labor contracts in the islands, to prohibit the sale of intoxicat ing liquor in saloons, to limit the land holdings of corporations to 1,000 acres, to substitute for the House provision relating to the appointment of judges and other officers of the island the Senate provision. The House provision lodged the appointing power iu the Governor, the Senate placed it in the President. Mr. Deboe gave notice in the Senate on Friday that he would move lo refer the credentials of former Senator J. C. S. Blackburn as a Senator from Ken tucky to the committee on privileges and electiops.. During the greater part of the season the Senate had under consideration the Indian appropriation bill. Mr. Sullivan delivered a speech in favor of the seating of M. S. Quay. The House passed the substitute for the Senate bill providing for a territorial form of gov eminent for Hawaii.

During almost the entire session of the Senate on Saturday an amendment t<* the Indian appropriation bill offered by Mr. Jones (Ark.) providing for the continuance of the Government’s employment of the contract Indian schools, in certain circumstances, was under consideration. The debate took n wide range, the whole question of sectarian schools being gone over at length. The notable feature of the discussion was an eloquent speech delivered in support of the amend ment by Mr. Vest. The amendment was pending when the Senate adjourned,,tin vote upon it disclosing the fact that n<> quorum was present. The House paid tribute to the memory of the late Richard Parks Bland of Missouri, popularly known as '‘Silver Dick’’ Bland, who was a member of the House for twenty-six years. Splendid eulogies of the life and career of the great champion of ailver were offered by members on both aides of the political aisle. At the conclusion of the ceremonies the House, ns further mark of respect, adjourned. A resolution was adopted calling upon tlu* Secretary of War for information as to whether Charles K. Magoon, the legal adviser of the insular bureau, had ever rendered an opinion that, by the treaty with Spain, the Constitution wns extended oVer Porto Rico and the Philippines.