Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 150, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1904 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

After a short time devoted to routine business the Senate at 12:4(5 p. m., Monday, went into executive session. In the morning hour Senator Cullom, by request of Volney W. Foster, of Chicago, assistant treasurer of the Republican National Committee, introduced a bill to create a national arbitration tribunal. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education ami Labor with a request for early consideration. Senator Morgan introduced a concurrent resolution calling upon the President to proceed, under the terms of the Spooner act. to construct an isthmian canal on the Costa Rica and Nicaragua route. The resolution went over under, the rule. The Senate was officially notified of the death of Representative Skiles, of Ohio, whereupon a committee, consisting of Senators Foraker. Hanna, Fairbanks, McCreary and Cullom, was appointed to attend the funeral. Then, at 2:55 p. m.-, the Senate adjouru--edHmr furt her mark of respect to Mr. Skiles’ memory, In the. Hpusq. A...bi1.1... authorizing the construction of a bridge across the St. Francis River at Marked Tree, Arft., was passed. Mr. Jenkins called up the resolution requesting the Attorney General to furnish information as to wliat money had been expended under the act providing for the enforcement of the Sherman anti-trust law, which was adopted. Representative Foss, of Illinois, introduced the Volney W. Foster bill for a national arbitration tribunal.

Senators debated the Panama question for five hours Tuesday, and it was still under discussion at the hour of adjournment. A resolution authorizing the erection of a statue to the late President Benjamin Harrison, south of the new postoffice building in Indianapolis, was adopted. Senator Bacon introduced a resolution authorizing the President to negotiate a treaty with Colombia looking to an amicable adjustment, of the Panama trouble. It went over until Wednesday. Senator Dillingham introduced a bill to amend the act to prevent the extermination of fur-bearing animals in Alaska. Senator Nelson introduced bills providing legislation for Alaska in conformity with recommendations by a special committee from the committee on territories which visited Alaska last summer. The House considered the legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill, but reached no conclusion. A bill introduced by Representative Esch of Wisconsin provides for the establishment of .permanent camps for the instruction and maneuvering of United States troops at or near Fort Sam Houston, Texas: Camp Douglas, Wis.; Coneway Valley, Pa., and Niciemento Ranch, Colorado. Panama again Wednesday was the principal subject of consideration in the Senate, Mr. Carmack opened with pointed criticism of the President's course. He was followed Uy Mr. Spooner, the only other speaker of the day, who defended the administration. At adjournment the Panama question was still before the Senate, and it was announced that the discussion would be resumed Thursday after the disposition of the postoffice inquiry resolutions. Before the Panama subject was taken up there was a brief discussion between Messrs. Patterson and Scott on the labor troubles In Colorado. After a debate lasting three hours the House in committee of tho whole, by a vote of 78 to 65, struck qut of the legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill the paragraph providing for the salaries and expenses of the civil service commission and the clerks employed under the commission. The action was taken on motion of Mr. Hepburn of lowa. He was supported by both Republicans and Democrats. Mr. Grosvenor (Ohio) spoke against civil service as it now exists. At 5 p. m. the committee rose without having concluded consideration of the bill.

The Senate Thursday listened to speeches by Mr. Newlands,- attacking the course of the administration in the Panama affair, and by Mr. Depew in defense of the administration. Mr. Latimer (S. C.) spoke in advocacy of a plan for the improvement of public wagon roads. The bill extending until 1906 the time for t the settlement of the claims -

of the States for the equipment of troops in the Spanish-American war w-as passed. The House passed the legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill, carrying $29,711,700. The paragraph providing for the salaries and expenses of the civil service commission, struck out Wednesday by the committee of the whole, was restored. An amendment was adopted restricting the use of government horses and carriages to the President, his secretary and cabinet officers. The Senate joint resolution authorizing the erection of a monument in memory of Benjamin Harrison on government land in Indianapolis was passed.

Friday’s session of the Senate began with the passage of a number of bills on the calendar and closed in like manner. The intervening time was given over to a speech by Mr. Teller on the Panama canal question. Bills creating au additional land office in the State of North Dakota, providing for the allotment of lands in severalty to tho Stockbridge and Munsee Indians of Wisconsin, establishing an Indian agricultural school at Wahpeton, N. D., were passed. Senator Heyburn favorably reported from the comndttee on manufactures' Senator McCumber's bill to prevent adulteration, misbranding and imitation of foods, beverages, candies, drugs and condiments. Senator Dolliver introduced' the G. A. R. bill to pension all CTvilWiy veterans who had ninety or more days’ military or naval service. The House held no session, it having adjourned Thursday until Monday.