Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1901 — Congress. [ARTICLE]

Congress.

On Friday the Senate foreign committee made favorable report on Hay-Paun-cefote treaty, which insures its ratification. The President sent to the Senate names of 2,479 nominees for office. Speaker Henderson in the House announced the appointment of two important committees —ways and means and appropriations. The committees are: Ways and means, Payne, New York; Dalzell, Pennsylvania; Hopkins, Illinois; Grosvenor, Ohio; Russell, Connecticut; Steele, Indiana; Tawney, Minnesota; McCall, Massachusetts; Long, Kansas; Babcock, Wisconsin; Metcalfe, California, Republicans; Richardson, Tennessee; Robertson, Louisiana; Swanson, Virginia; McClellan, New York; Newlands, Nevada; Cooper, Texas, Democrats. Appropriations, Cannon, Illinois; Bingham, Pennsylvania; Hemenway, Indiana; Barney, Wisconsin; Moody, Massachusetts; Van Voorhis, Ohio; McCleary, Minnesota: Littauer, New York; Brownlow, Tennessee; Gardner, Michigan; Burkett, Nebraska, Republicans; Livingston, Georgia; Mcßae, Arkansas; Bell, Colorado; Pierce, Tennessee; Benton, Missouri, and Taylor, Alabama, Democrats. Representative Hepburn of lowa introduced his isthmian canal bill, which, by reason of his being the author of the bill passed last year and his probable continuance at thb head of the House commerce committee, is regarded as the measure which will serve as a basis for action by the House. It differs from the Hepburn bill passed last yenr in making the total appropriation $180,000,000 instead of $140,000,000. Congressman Crumpacker again introduced his bill to reduce Southern representation in Congress. On Monday Senator Tillman defied his colleague, Senator McLaurin, in a Senate discussion’ of their troubles, and challenged him to resign.' Their seats may be declared vacant. President Roosevelt sent several hundred noiHinations to office to the Senate, including that of Cornelius Van Cott, postmaster «f New York. The new subsidy bill was read in the Senate. Principal items which aroused antagonism in the last Congress have been left out. Senator Hoar introduced a bill to punish as murderers all who participate in a lynching. On Tuesday Speaker Henderson announced the House committees for the present session of Congress. The Republican leaders have agreed upon a bill which applies the full Dingley tariff rates to goods coming from the Philippines. The islands are treated as foreign country. A bill wan introduced into the House to pay Miss Stone’s ransom. President nominated O. H. Darling of Vermont for Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Senator Morgan introduced a bill providing for the construction of the Nicaraguan canal. On Wednesday a stormy discussion in the executive session of the Senate placed the Hay-PaunCbfote treaty for an isthmian canal in peril of an early death. It was contended by Senators Culberson and Bacon that the treaty gives Great Britain equal rights with the United States over such canal. The new agreement was praised and defended by Senator Cullom. Congress shied at the proffered $10,000,000 gift from Carnegie because it consists of stock in the steel trust, and change of the offer to cash or United States bonds is predicted. The Democratic Senators in caucus decided to fight the plans of Republicans to increase party representation upon the committees. On Thursday the Senate fixed upon the following Monday as the time for the vote on the new Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Senate committee on isthmian canal authorized a favorable report on Senator Morgan’s bill for acquiring Nicaragua right of way. Senator William E. Mason of Illinois reported to the Senate on the discoveries made by his pure food commission. Senate agreed to the House resolution providing for a holiday recess from Dec. 19 to Jan. 6. President reappointed Interstate Commerce Commissioner Charles A. Prouty of Vermont. On Friday Senator Aldrich introduced a bill to lessen inconvenience of extension of bank charters. Congressman Foss introduced a bill for organization of a national naval reserve. House committee on interstate and foreign commerce unanimously recommended the Hepburn Nicaragua canal bill. House adjourned until Tuesday, when Mr. Payne’s biU to temporarily provide revenue for the Pnilippine Islands will be taken up. It has been resolved to put the measure upon its passage Wednesday afternoon. Secretary Hay has been selected to deliver the oration on McKinley at the congressional memorial services.