Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1902 — Congress. [ARTICLE]

Congress.

The Senate on *Monday passed the Philippine tariff bill by a vote of 46 -to 26, a strict party vote. Final debate was begun at 11 o’clock, and a vote was taken at 4 o’clock. Aside from the controversy over the Tillman-McLaurin incident there was no especial feature to the proceedings, with the exception »f a possibility of an encounter between Senators Me-. Comas and Wellington of Maryland, who indulged in a caustic tilt. The House passed a bill to divide Texas into four judicialedistncts, and also the Towney resolution calling on the Secretary of War for information concerning the transfer of sugar lands in Cuba since the American occupation. It then transacted some business pertaining to the District of Columbia, and later took up the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill. The bill carries an appropriation of sl,931,678, an increase of $82,950 over last year. It was made the vehicle for speeches on trusts, coinage and other irrelevant matters.

The Senate was iu session but fifteen minutes Tuesday, adjourning out of respect to the memory of the late Congressman Rosseau O. Crump of Michigan. The names of Senators Tillman and McLaurin have been restored to the Senate roll, from which they were stricken by direction of President Pro Tempore Frye. This does not mean that they will be permitted to speak or vote, for the Senate as a body' will take up the case of the South Carolina offenders nnd decide upon some action before a vote is taken on any other question. This action is the result of a desiretake from the shoulders of the president pro tempore the responsibility for curbing the two men and shift it to the Senate as a whole. The House passed the diplomatie and consular app.ropriatioj) bill. It was the fifth of the regular annual supply measures to be sent to the Senate at this session. No amendments of importance were adopted. The feature of the day was a speech by Mr. Richardson (Ala. 1 tn reply to Mr. Corliss’ speech a few days ago in favor of the construction of a Pacific cable by the government. The question of reforming consular service was debated at some length, but no amendments on that subject were offered.

The House on Wednesday sent the Philippine tariff bill to conference, pqnconcurring in nil the Senate amendments. The Democrats sought to amend tire amendments by reducing the rate of duty and declaring that the United States should relinquish all claim to tltfe. archipelago, but all their propositions were defeated. Mr. Tawney of Minnesota made a personal explanation regarding- Gov, Toole of Montana, saying that in formerly classing the Governor as an opponeut of Gov. Van Sant in the railroad merger case he had been under a misapprehension. The Senate transacted no business.

Memorial services for William McKinley were held by Congress on Thursday, the oration being delivered by Secretary Hay, who paid a glowing tribute to the life and work of the martyred President.

The Senate on Friday decided the punishment of Senators Tillman and McLaurin for the disgraceful scene in the chamber the preyiofis Saturday. Both were censured and this will serve to purge them of the ban of contempt. The minority report favored suspending Tillman for twenty days and McLaurin for five days. The Senate adopted the conference report on the permanent census bill aud then began consideration of the irrigation measure. Mr. Clark (Wyo.) delivered a long and carefully prepared speech in its support. For a time later the Senate considered the omnibus claims bill, but did not dispose of it. The House broke all its records in the matter of pri--vate pension legislation, clearing the calendar and passing 1591>ifls in a little over three hours. The conference report on the census bill was adopted and the House adjourned until Monday.

Considerable important business was disposed of by the Senate Saturday, What is known as the omnibus claims bill and the men sure providing for the irrigation of arid lands were passed, the conference rephrt on the Philippine tariff bill was agreed to and the shipping lull was made the unfinished business. The following bills were passed: Appropriating $211,000 for the establishment of lighthouses at the entrance of Boston harbor; authorizing the President to nominate R. M. G. Brown, at present lieutenant commander of the navy, on the retired list; confirming title of the State of Nebraska to certain selected indemnity school hinds; appropriating $25,000 for a fish culture station nt Mammoth Springs, Ark.; a joint resolution, providing for the printing of 3.500 copies of the Schley court of inquiry.