Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1904 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

_The Senate Wednesday took up the hill tor the .amendment of the laws governing the dairy business in the District of Columbia, and it was debated at length. The bill for the regulation of Philippine shipping was the principal subject of consideration. It brought up a somewhat general discussion of the Philippine, question, and was amended so as to defer for a year the time when the hi!! shall take effect. An amendment by Mi. Carmack postponing the operation of the hill unfit 1000 was laid on the table by a vote of 37 to 15. At Mr. Mallory's suggestion the bill was so amended as to except supplies for the army and navy so.as tu prevent conflict with the hill regulating the shipment of government supplies which was passed on Tuesday. A large number of private pension hills were passed. The House devoted its time to consideration of the District of Columbia appropriation hill in committee of the whole, but did not conclude action on the measure. It amended the hill l>y unanimous vdte so ns to fix the maximum rates which may die el hi rgciLAha-Dist i ic t .if Columbia for telephone serve e or tor telephones in private residences at from $2." to ?u0 per annum.

For almost four hours Thursday the Senate, while technically engaged on the navifhappropriation bill, discussed a wide range of subjects, including the policy of the United States in the Philippines and the Russo-Japanese war. The principal participants were Messrs. Hale, Bacon, Lodge, Depew. Patterson, Perkins and Money. Mr. Ilalc. in charge of the naval bill.-criticised-the plans of the naval board as tending to an establishment beyond the needs of the country. Mr. Lodge, Mr. Depew and Mr. Perkins defended the naval officers. Mr. Lodge declared a large navj essential to the maintenance of peace. In the House was read a letter from Grover Cleveland to Representative \\ ebb of North Carolina, denying that C. 11. J. Taylor, a negro, had dined with him at the. White House while he was President. as charged by Representative Scott of Kansas a few days ago. Mr. Scott offered his apology to the former President, saying he'never-before had heard the statement denied. A disousfflnn of tho race question followed. Tho House passed the District of Columbia appropriation bill and took up the Indian appropriation bill.

Practically the entire time of tlie Senate Friday-was given to 'consideration of the question of the selection of a site for a naval training station on the great lakes. Most of the Senators from States bordering on the lakes participated in a controversy over an effort to secure as aiLamendment to the committee amendment a provision authorizing tin* -appointment £>T a new comiinSkidii to select a site. This amendment was offered by Mr. Quarles (Wis.l, and its origin was due to the fact that a former commission had given preference to Lake Bluff, 111. Mr. Foraker contended for t lie advantage of l’nt-in-Bny, Ohio. The committee amendment was modified so as to make it apply to all of the great lakes and not alone to Lake Michigan. The House had under consideration the Indian appropriation bill, the reading of which for the purpose of amendment was pending on adjournment. During The general debate Mr. Martin (Rep.. S. D.) spoke on his resolution directing the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to investigate the causes of the differences which exist between the price of live cattle and dressed lieef. Mr. Hodges (Itep., Iowa) spoke in opposition to the “lowa i'dea r .V’ Mr. Robinson find.) declared a monopoly exists in the coal business in the Indian Territory, • and saiii the subject should be investigated

The Senate Saturday agreed to the report of the conference committee on the legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill. A bill was passed authorizing the Prc ident to extend an invitation to tiie international Congress of hygiene to meet in Washington in UK)!). The naval appropriation bill was taken up, and the discussion assumed n political aspect. Mr. Clay held that the Monroe doctrine was not in danger, and that nothing is so likely to make trouble with other powers ns an immense navy manned by many ambitious men. Mr. Depew replied to Mr. Clay and declared that the country will have if large merchant marine some time and should have n navy big enough to protect it. The House passed the Indian appropriation hill after some controversy relative to provisions affecting tribes in the Indian Territory. An unsuccessful effort was made by Mr. Stephens (Texas) to eliminate the provision for continuing the. Dawes commission another year. Among the important amendments adopted were those removing restrictions on the disposition of lands of allottees in the Indian Territory who are iy>t of full Indian blbod and vesting authority in the Secretary of the Interior heretofore resting with the Dawes commission in the matter of the sale of lands belonging to the Creek Indians. Tbe provision nu-‘ thorizing the renting of certain lands in the Indian "Territory which have been allotted to full blood Indians of a number of tribes was stricken from the hill on a point of order. There was a spirited contest over the question of the maintenance of n warehouse at Omaha. The members of the” Nebraska delegation were opposed by Mr. Mann (Ill.) and Mr. Sherman (N. Y.), but the former won their tight in behalf of Omaha.

In tho Natlonnl Cnplt-d. Pnnmnn treaty ratifications bare been exchanged nnd tiie United State* now has clear title to canal zone across the isthmus. ( Little legislation for the t’bilipplnes is expected of present Congress;- Republicans do not desire to propose- legislation on eve of national campaign. The Senate committee on appropria. tious reported the legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill. It cat ries $28,730,233. a net increase over tb« House bill of $447,578.