Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 148, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1904 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

The Senate reconvened Monday after the holiday recess and devoted the session to Panama. President Roosevelt's special message on Panama affairs was read. Mr. -McComas defended the President. Mr. Stewart criticised the Bogota government and Mr. Morgan arraigned the administration for its attitude in isthmian affairs. Rev. Edward Everett Hale, tire newly elected chaplain, clad in flowing black silk clerical robes, offered a stirring invocation. His prayer was a plea for the wisdom of heaven in the affairs of the government. He referred briefly to the Chicago disaster and asked a blessing on the stricken city, The chaplain of the House, in opening the session of that body, prayed that war between Russia and Japan might be averted. The resignation of Mr. McLellan (N. Y.) was announced. A privileged resolution offered by Mr. Hay (Dem.'t incited that certain statements contained in the Bristow postoffice report reflected upon the membership of the House. It provided for an -investigation by a committee; to be appoiriteiTTiy“file Speaker. A vote on ordering the previous question resulted in a tie,-tjie minority supporting Mr. Hay. The vote developed no quorum and the House adjourned.

Mr. Lodge practically monopolized the Senate session Tuesday in a speech advocating the Panama treaty. He criticised the administration of cx-Presideut Cleveland. Mr. Hale introduced a resolution requiring the commissioners o.f the District of Columbia to report upon the condition of theaters in Washington, which was agreed to. Mr. Gorman introduced a resolution asking the President to supply the Senate information as to the various instances of intervention on the part of the ' United States in the Isthmus of Panama. He asked for immediate consideration of the resolution, but Mr. Allison objected and cousidcra* tion was postponed. The President's message relative to Panama and the canal was read in the House, receiving applause on the Republican side. Representative Adams of Pennsylvania introduced a bill providing for tile striking of a medal in memory of Benjamin Franks lin to commemorate the 200th annivei- . sary of his birth, Jan. 17, 1906.. Repre'sentative Dixon of Montana introduced a resolution providing for a wire feiice along the Canadian boundary between Lake of the Woods and Point Roberts. The object of the fence is to keAp out Chinese immigrants, and it is to be so equipped us to give signals when any one climbs over it. ' ■ ■ .- Alleged irregularities in the Posloliiee Department constituted the only theme in the Senate Wednesday. The question came up on a motion first made by Mr. Lodge and afterward by Mr. Penrose to refer the Carmack resolution looking to a senatorial Investigation of the I’ostoffice Department to the committee on postoffices and post roads. The Democratic Senators resisted the motion and contended that the country would not be satisfied with an investigation of a department made by the department itself. Further consideration of the subject was deferred until Friday. The only measure considered in the House was a bill introduced by the delegate from Hawaii to ratify an act of the Hawaiian Legislature authorizing the manufacture and distribution of electric light and powe? on the Island of Oahu, Ter4tory of Hawaii. Owing to objections the bill was recommitted to the committee on territories. Representative Loitering of Massachusetts introduced two bills for the revision of the drawback provisions of the Dingley law. v Mr. Morgan occupied the time of the Senate Thursday in a reply to the speech of Mr. Lodge last Tuesday. Mr. Morgan again criticised the President and the at-, fitude of this government in connection with the Panama republic. The House was in session twelve minutes. Mr. Hemenwny, chairman of the committee on appropriations, obtained ynanimous consent that one hour be devoted at the opening of Friday’s session to the consideration of a bill amending the act appropriating $500,000 for the eradication of foot and 'mouth diseases among cattle bo as to make $250,000 of that amount ■ available to meet the emergency caused by the Mexican boll weevil. The bill was favorably reported.

Alleged postoffice frauds were under discussion in the Senate Friday, the. subject being opened by Mr, Simmons (N. 0.), who Insisted there Should be an investigation by the Senate. Mr. Platt (Conn.) denied that the Republicans were trying to cover up any wrongdoing. The*’ discussion was participated in by Messrs. Burrows, Dolliver nnd Quarles on the Republican side, nnd Messrs. Carmack, Tillman nnd Teller on the Democratic side. A House bill permitting the issuance of bonds for the construction of n wagon road to the government dam on Salt river in Arizona was passed. The House made $250,000 available to be ured to meet the emergency caused by tlie ravages of the cotton boll weevil nnd other insects nnd diseases affecting cotton. The sum is to be diverted from the $500,000 appropriated Inst year to eradfr ente the foot-and-mouth disease among cattle. —Pension bills to the number of 115 were passed. Representative Dnlzell of Pennsylvania introduced n bill providing for the consolidation of third and fourth class mail matter, to be admitted at the rate of 1 cent for each two ounces. Representative Slnyden of Texas Introduced n resolution requesting the President to tender the good offices of the United States to Russia nnd Japan. Both houses adjourned until Monday.