Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 142, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1903 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

In the Senate Senator Teller ednciua•ed his speech in opposition to the/Cuban reciprocity bill Wednesday, and Senator Morgan also was heard iu to that measure. Mr. Payne, chairman of the Committee on Ways and reported when the House convened a resolution providing for the reference of the President’s’ message to committee, and the House went into committee of the whole for its consideration. The resolution, amended so as to give the Committee on Foreign Affairs jurisdiction over matters relating to Cuba (Mr. Payne explaining that his committee recommended this because Cuba now is a republic), was favorably reported to the whole House and adopted without debate, A bill for the upbuilding of the navy, credited as the plan suggested by Captain Hobson, of Merrimac fame, was introduced in the House, and carries an appropriation of $2,500,000,0<)0, to be spread over twenty years, the allowance for the last ten years to be at tli£ rate of $150,000,000 a year. Representative Gardner, of Massachusetts, introduced a bill creating a commission to consider legislation for the development of the American merchant marine. The commission is to be composed of the Secretary of the Navy, Postmaster General, the Secretary of Commerce and Labor and three members each of the Senate and House. Thursday’s semioi* of the- Beu'rtft* last* od only -thirty-seven minutes. After the, completion of the routine business the Cuban bill was laid before the Senate, but no one appeared ready to speak on it. Senator Gallinger introduced a bill providing that after March 4, 1904, salaries of Senators, Representatives and delegates in Congress shall be $7,500 per annum. The House adopted a resolution directing the judiciary committee to inquire into the official conduct of Charles Swayne, judge of the United States District Court for the northern district of Florida. Representative Gillett of Massachusetts introduced six bills providing various schemes for refiling superannuated government employes.

There were two speeches in'the Senate Friday on the Cfaban reciprocity bill, one of them by a Democrat iu support of the bill, and the other by a Republican in opposition to it. The opposing speech was made by Mr. Bard, of California. Mr. McCreary, of Kentucky, made liis maiden speech in tlie Senate nnd supported the bill. Senator Platt, of Connecticut, introduced a resolution authorizing the printing of all the accounts of the government of Cuba during American occupation. Senator Culberson, of Texas, introduced a resolution that the committee, on the judiciary be directod'to report ns early as practicable whether the inhabitants of the department of I’nnama form an independent government in that territory. Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, introduced a -resolution' directing the committee on the judiciary to mako inquiry into the question of what constitutes recess appointments by the President The birth 0/ the republic of Panama and its recognition by this government was the subject of a spirited debate in the House. Mr. Dinsmore (Dem., Ark.j) severely criticised- the administration in connection with the canal, and Mr. Hitt (Rep., 111.1, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, replied in defense of the President nnd his Central American policy. Mr. Williams (Miss.), the minority leader, replied to Mr. Ilitt, declaring the minority did *uot condone the part taken by this government in connection with Panama affairs. No conclusion was reached on the pension bill.

Senator Foster, of Louisiana, spoke in opposition to the Cuban reciprocity treaty Saturday, maintaining that the sugar trust was behind the measure and that it would work injury to local producers. Senator Depew, on the Republican side, nnd Senator Clay, on the Democratic side, supported the bill as a measure in the interest of both countries. Senator Quarles introduced a bill to further define the duties and powers of the Interstate CommefiPe Commission. It provided that any order made; by tlie commission after a bearing and determination had on any petition declaring any existing rates for the transportation of persons or. property to be unjustly discriminative or unreasonable and declaring what rates would be just shall become operative nnd be observed within thirty days after notice. There was no session of , the- House.