Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1901 — Congress. [ARTICLE]

Congress.

On Monday the Senate again devoted the day to consideration of the army reorganization bill, but made no progress. Messrs. Teller and Pettigrew resorted to filibustering tactics. The House postponed District of Columbia business until Monday, Jan. 21, and proceeded with the river and harbor bill. Good progress was made, fifty-nine of the ninety-seven pages of the bill being completed. Many amendments were offered, but all failed. Some progress was made by the Senate . on Tuesday in. the consideration of the army reorganization bill. One amendment that has created much-debate was disposed of and a tacit agreement has been reached for a “vote very soon.” Mr. Cockrell (Missouri) emphasized his opposition to the increase in the army proposed by the bill and his intention to vote against it, but expressed his opinion that the bill ought to be disposed of speedily. Mr. Sewell (New Jersey) also urged speedy action on the measure on account of the sefious embarrassment ThlTgoVefh” ment was laboring under in preparing for the return of the volunteers from the Philippines. ' The -principal speeches against the bill were made by Mr. Berry (Arkansas), Mr. Bacon (Georgia) and Mr. Teller (Colorado). Mr. Warren (Wyoming) delivered an extended argument in support of the bill. Bill granting pension of SSO a month to Horatio N. Davis, father of the late Senator Davis of Minnesota, was passed. Mr. Davis was captain in.commissary department. In the House the day was devoted to consideration of river and harbor bill.

The Senate on Wednesday decided to take final vote on reorganization bill at 4 o’clock Friday. Speeches in opposition to the bill were delivered by Messrs. Allen, Teller and Butler, while Mr. McCumber made argument, in support of the measure. Feature of debate was denun- • ciation of practice of hazing at West Point Military Academy. • The House passed river and harbor appropriation bill substantially as it came from committee. It carries slightly less than $60,000,000, of which $23,000,000 is in direct appropriations. .Section empowering the President to negotiate with Great Britain for maintenance of suitable levels on great lakes was broadened so as to provide for joint commission to conduct negotiations. De Armond resolution calling upon War Department for all information relative to alleged action of Gen. Chaffed in protesting against looting in China was lain upon the table.

During Thursday’s session the army reorganization bill was discussed ‘in the Senate at length by Mr. Money (Dem.) of Mississippi, Mi< McComas (Rep.) of Maryland and Mr. Bate (Dem.) of Tennessee. The Mississippi Senator devoted some attention to the practice of hazing at West Point, which he bitterly denounced. A bill fixing'-the compensation of district superintendents of the lifesaving service at $2,500 per annum, except in the case of the superintendent of the eighth district, whose salary is fixed at $1,500, was passed. A bill to extend the privileges of an act in relation to the immediate transportation of dutiable goods to the city of Milwaukee was passed. It "was an exceedingly dull day In the House. The entire day was spent upon the bill to revise and codify the postal laws, which is to be the continuing order, not, however, to interfere with appropriation bills or*conference reports until disposed of. It is a bill of 221 pages and is simply a revision of existing laws. Some disposition was manifested to inject into the measure some amendments to the present law in the interest of certain classes of mail employes, but such attempts were successfully resisted. The Senate on Friday passed army reorganization bill by vote of 43 to 23, after adopting amendment providing for payment of S2OO to each soldier in Philippines whose term expires before July 1, 1901, and who will re-enlist for three years. By vote of 43 to 23 rejected amendment by Mr. Gallinger ordering revocation of all liquor licenses in Philippines, forbidding issuing of licenses in future and prohibiting importation into islands of beer, wine and distilled spirits. Bill then went to conference, with Messrs. Hawley, Proctor and Cockrell as Senate conferees. The House spent entire day on bill to refer to court of claims the claims of William Cramp & Sons for alleged damages due to delay of government in furnishing armor plate and material lor battleships Massachusetts and In liana and cruisers New York and* Columbia. Claimk aggregate $1,367,244. Bill has been conspicuous at every session of Congress for several years. Filibuster was begun, but advocates of bill succeeded in having previous question ordered. This gives bill tactical advantage in parliamentary way. which practically insures vote upon it whenever it is called up again. Saturday in the Senate was given up to eulogies on the late Senator Gear. In the House the session was devoted chiefly to postal codification bill, which was about half completed. Proposition to compel star route contracts to be let to persons living contiguous to route was defeated. Bill wns passed granting fifteen days’ annual leave to employes of navy yards, arsenals, etc.