Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1900 — Congress. [ARTICLE]

Congress.

On Tuesday the House passed Senate bill amending act authorizing construction of bridge across Mississippi river at Dubuque, Iowa; also bill changing time of holding court in southern judicial division of lowa. Devoted rest of day to consideration of Senate bill to change terminal facilities of Pennsylvania Railroad Company in . Washington and elevate its tracks across the Mali, south of Pennsylvania avenue. Bill was antagonized on ground that it gave the road thirty Tour and one-half acres of government land and would destroy scheme to beautify the Mall from capitol to Washington monument. Five treaties were ratified by the Senate Tuesday in secret session. The most important was a treaty with England extending the time for the ratification of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Although the . fact was not known outside of diplomatic circles, the time for the ratification of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty expired five months ago, and the treaty until this action of the .Senate was in reality dead. The convention ratified extends the time of-the acceptance of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty by the United State* until March 4. The other treaties ratified are extradition treaties with Chili and Bolivia and treaties extending the time for the acceptance of the reciprocity treaties with Barbadoes and Argentina. The remainder, of the day was spent in consideration of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty in executive session. The House on Wednesday at the end of a spirited contest extending over two days passed bills to compel the Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Ohio railroads to abolish grade crossings, to alter their routes into the city and to change their terminal facilities. An amendment was placed upon the Pennsylvania, bill to require the road to build a new station to cost not less than $1,500,000. The bills were vigorously antagonized by a portion of the minority under the leadership of Mr. Cowherd (Mo.), on the ground that they' were too liberal to, the roads. On Wedflesday the Senate passed House resolution authorizing President McKinley to appoint Congressman Boutelle (Maine) captain on retired list of the navy. Passed urgent deficiency bill. Passed bills giving pensions of SSO monthly to widows of Gens. John M. Palmer and John A. McClernand. The House on Thursday passed Indian and military academy appropriation bills. Former carries $9,036,526 and latter $700,151. Neither provoked pinch discussion. Just before the House adjourned Representative Hopkins (Ill.), chairman of the census committee, presented the majority report of that committee in favor of a reapportionment under which the House would retain its present membership, 357. Representative Burleigh (Me.), a member of the committee, presented the minority report in favor of a bill that would give the House 386 members, and Mr., Crumpacker (Ind.), who signed the minority report, presented a supplemental report in favor of his bill for a House of 374 members. The Senate on Thursday by a vote of 55 to 18 ratified the Hay-Pauncefote treaty containing the Davis and Foraker amendments. Six roll calls were necessary before final action, and all amendments except those adopted by the committee on foreign relations were rejected. The Senate was in executive session for about an hour before the time for voting arrived, listening to speeches by Senators Thurston, Gailinger, Wolcott and Bard, explanatory of their attitude. A spirited debate was precipitated over the resolution of Mr. Chandler to discharge the committee on contingent expenses from further consideration of the resolution authorizing an investigation of the Montana senatorial case. The exchange between the advocates and opponents of the resolution took a political turn and resulted in some lively colloquies. No action upon the resolution was taken. The Senate transacted no business on Friday because of the sudden-death of the wife of President pro tern. Frye. Adjourned for holidays until Jan. 3, 1901. The House also transacted no business because of the sudden death of Congressman Wise of Virginia. Adjourned until Jan. 3, 1901.