Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1900 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONGRESS

On Monday the Senate, by a vote of 29 to 20, refused to consider the pro-Boer resolution introduced by Mr. Pettigrew. Agreed to the conference report on the amendatory Porto Rico resolution. Passed bill appropriating $40,000 to enlarge and improve the public building nt Burlington, lowa. Agreed to the conference report on the bill in behalf of northwestern lumbermen, authorizing the Seere•tary of War to make certain regulations on the management of loose logs on several specified rivers. The House sent to the committee on judiciary the joint resolution for a constitutional amendment to disqualify polygamists for election as Senators or Representatives. By a vote of 144 to 26 passed the Lacey bill to prohibit the transportation by intecrState commerce of game, killed in violation of local laws. Agreed to the conference feport on the Porto Rico amendatory resolution. In committee of the whole' considered the Senate bill for the creation' of a commission to study and- report upon the industrial conditions in 'China and Japan. Struck out the enacting clause by a vote of 58 to 54 after amending it by reducing the number of commissioners from five to three, providing that not more than two of these shall be of the same political party, and that none shall be members of either branch of Congress. Motion to strike out enacting clause was pending in open session when adjournment was -voted. Alaskan civil code bill passed the Senate on Tuesday, amendments being withdrawn. Harris’ resolution passed concerning conservation of the water of tlnArkansas river for the benefit of Colorado and Kansas. Tillman’s resolution concerning tests of Krupp armor at Indian Head was agreed to. Consideration of army appropriation bill, carrying $114.951.590, was resumed. Lodge's amendment forbidding establishment of telegraph or cable lines in Alaska not owned nnd operated wholly by citizens of the United States was adopted. Berry’s amendment giving preference to non-trust bidders on army contracts was defeated. 18 to 29. Stewart’s amendment,."intended to prevent a Cuban epble monopoly,” was rejected. In the House the entire d.-iy was devoted to consideration of the Niebill. The Senate on Wednesday passed bill for the creation of linked memorial parks on the battlefields of Fredericksburg ChancellorsviUe, the Wilderness and Sycttsylvania, in Virginia. Received notice from Mr. Hoar that on Thursday he would cal! up the Clark contest case for consideration. Heard Mr. Mason In support of his proposition to enact legislation to prevent" the adulteration of food. Devoted the rest of the day to debate Off the army appropriation bill, with the treatment of American soldiers iu the Philippines as the chief subject. The House by a vote of 225 to 35 passed bill providing for the construction of a protected but not a fortified Nicaragua canal. On Thursday the Senate adopted the motion of Mr. Hoar to take up the resolution of the committee on elections declaring that Mr. Clark of Montana was not duly elected to the Senate and then postponed consideration of the question for a week.. The army appropriation bill, after a rather spirited debate, was passed without division. The day closed with the’ passage of a number of private pension bills, including bills to pension Mrs. Julia MacV. Henry, widow of the late Gen. Guy V. Henry; Gen. James Longstreet. Mrs. Margaret M. Badger, widow of the late Commodore Badger, and Mrs. Harriet Gridley, widow of the late Captain Gridley of the navy. The House passed the “Nee Home” bill without division. The remainder of the day was devotdd to the sundry civil appropriation bill, the last but one of the great! supply bills. The Senate on Friday passed the army reorganization bill, which practically revolutionizes the present staff arrangements of the army. The bill provides for an increase in several branches of the service. The fortifications appropriation bill, carrying $7,733,628, an increase of $640,140 over the House measure ;was also passer! In the House seventy-three of the 132 pages of the sundry civil appropriation bill were completrsl. Members,pf the naval committee made efforts to cripple the coast and geodetic survey in retaliation for the refusal of the House to place* the survey of waters of our insular pos sessions in the hands of our navy. A message from President McKinley voicing" the bill authorizing the adjustment of settlers on the Navajo Indian reservation was laid before the House. An order was made giving the day following the disposition of the sundry civil bill to the committee on claims. The Senate held no session Saturday. In the House the Senate amendments to the army appropriation bill were disagreed to and the bill was sent to conference. The House resumed the consideration of the sundry civil appropriation bill. There was a protracted contest over several propositions to buy 140 acres ad ditional for the St. Elizabeth insane asylum at $1,500 an acre. Although it was urged that the land was badly needed for additional quarters for the insane, ev cry proposition was defeated. A few minor amendments were adopted. The committee "then rose and the bill was passed. The fortifications appropriation bill was sent to conference.