Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1902 — Congres. [ARTICLE]

Congres.

In the Senate on Monday the Philippine bill again held the right of way. The House emergency bill appropriating 5200,000 for the relief of volcano stifferers was passed. On motion of Mr. Proctor the vote by which the army appropriation bill was passed was reconsidered and the bill amended so as to restrict the provision for the sale of army posts to those of Indianapolis. Columbus and Buffalo, and authorizing the President to use the money derived therefrom in purchasing other lands in the vicinity and constructing other posts; also authorize the subdivision of this property. As amended the bill was passed. The House passed emergency bill appropriating 5200,000 for the relief of volcano sufferers in the West Indies and killed the bill consolidating the gas companies of Washington. D. C.. by striking out the enacting clause. In the Senate on Tuesday an additional appropriation of $300,000 was voted for the stricken people of the French West Indies. The agricffitural appropriation bill was passed and then Mr. Stewart spoke in support of the Philippine bill. The conference report on the Cuban diplomatic and consular bill was adopted, the House conferees accepting the amendment making the salary of the minister to Cuba $12,000 a year, and the Senate accepting the amendment striking out the provision for. $2,000 a year for the minister’s house rent and for an additional consul. In the House discussion of the naval appropriation bill was begun. The conference report on the omnibus claims bill was rejected on the ground that claims not considered by either branch of Congress had been inserted in the measure by the conferees and the measure was returned to conference.

During the greater part of the Senate session on Wednesday the fortifications appropriation bill was under consideration. Mr. Proctor offered an amendment providing that no part of the appropriation made should be used for procuring disappearing gun carriages. This precipitated a debate which continued for two hours, and had not been concluded when the measure was lafd aside for the day. A further conference on the omnibus claims bill was agreed to, with Messrs. Warren. Teller and Mason as the conferees. In the house the naval appropriation bill occupied attention throughout the day. Mr. Dayton (W. Va.) spoke on the ned of strengthening (Va.) spoke on the need of strengthening W. Kitchin (N. C.), Fitzgerald (N. Y.), Metcalf (Cal.) and Maynard (Va.) strongly advocated the building of warships in government navy yards. . The debate took a wide range at times. Mr. Rhea (Va.) spedking in criticism of the administration’s Philippine policy and Mr. Elliott (S. C.) presenting the advantages of the proposed Appalachian forest reserve. Rising to a question of personal privilege, Mr. Mahon (Pa.) indignantly denied statements contained in a circular rent to alleging that certain contributions had been made to his campaign expenses. The conference report on the Cuban diplomatic and consular bill was agreed to. Thursday in the Senate was chiefly occupied with debate on the Philippine bill. The bill providing for the erection of a union railway station in Washington and the fortifications appropriations bill were passed, the former by a vote of 45 to 24. and the latter without division after the adoption of an amendment proposed by Mr. Proctor, making the acceptance of disappearing gun carriages conditional upon tests. A conference on the agricultural appropriation bill was agreed to, with Messrs. Proctor. Hansbrough and Bate as conferees. The conference report on the omnibus claims bill was presented by Mr. Warren, the conferees being unable to agree on the Selfridge board claims. The report was agreed to. A bill to establish an Indian agricultural school at Wahpeton, N. D., was passed. In the House the debate on the naval appropriation bill veered into the Philippine question, and when adjournment was taken the measure was being read for amendment. The Senate amendments to the agricultural appropriation bill were disagreed to, and the bill was sent to conference, with Messrs. Wadsworth, Henry (Conn.) and Williams (Miss.) as the House conferees.

In the Senate on Friday Mr. McLaurin concluded his speech in opposition to the present Philippine policy of the government. Mr. Deboe supported the pending measure in a carefully prepared speech. Bills were passed appropriating SIO,OOO fOr the establishment of a biological station (bn the great lakeb under the control of the United States commissioner ,of fish and fisheries; to prevent a false branding or marking of food and dairy products as to the State or territory in which they are made or produced; the bill regulating interstate commerce in falsely branded goods, and ninety-five private pension bills. In the House the naval appropriation bill again had the right of way. but the debate chiefly hinged on the Philippines and the Sphley controversy. The bill turning over to Porto Rieo all the public lands of the island ceded to the United States by Spain, except sites designated by the President within one yenr for nnrnl and coaling stations, military posts and other United States purposes, were passed. After some discussion the bill reported by Mr. McCall from the ways and means committee. refunding the tax on legacies paid under the war revenue act by religious, charitable, art and educational institutions was passed. The Senate held no session Saturday. Tbg. House occupied the day with discussion Of the naval appropriation bill.