Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1904 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

After passing a number of minor bills .the Senate Monday discussed aud agreed to the conference report on the navy appropriation bill, eliminating all differences betweep the Senate and House. It passed the bill- creating the Davenport division of the southern judicial district of lowa. Mr. McCumber called up his resolution for revision of the pension laws, but it went to the calendar without action after Mr. Bailey interjected the remark that legislation was unnecessary under the present administration. Mr. Bacon spoke on trusts in reply to Mr. Dolliver’s recent speech. An hour was given to memorial services for the late Representative Charles W. Thompson of Alabama. The House passed a large number of bills, including the Alaska delegate bill, a bill extending to Peoria, 111, the privileges of the law governing the immediate transportation of merchandise without appraisement, and constituting Coal City, 111., a subport of entry, The House disagreed to the Senate amendments to the emergency river and harbor 'bill and refused to ask for another conference. It disagreed also to the amendments to the deficiency bill, which was sent to conference. A bill was passed providing for allotments to Indians in White Earth reservation, Minnesota. The bill prohibiting selection of timber land in lieu of land in forest reservations was passed.

The Senate Tuesday passed the military academy appropriation bill, the last of the supply measures. The amendments suggested by the committee on military affairs for a reorganization of the medical and ordnance departments of the army and for the establishment of a number of camp sites wore thrown out on points of order. Mr. Bacon concluded his tariff speech. The debate between Congressmen Cockran and Dalzell was the dramatic feature in the House. A resolution was adopted inquiring what action had been taken by the Department of Justice against the individuals found guilty of violating the anti-trust law. A bill regarding tlie employment of vessels of the United States for public purposes was passed by a strict party vote.

The attention of the Senate was devoted Wednesday to consideration of reports of conference committees, set speeches, passage of biHs to which there was little or no objection, and an executive session. Final' conference reports on the sundry civil, general deficiency, postoffice and the military academy appropriation bills were agreed to practically without opposition, and Mr. McLaurin on the old age pension order and trusts and in criticism of the President. The bill creating a merchant marine commission was passed. A resolution authorizing the continuation during the recess of the inquiry into the right of Mr. Smfiot to his seat in tjie Senate was favorably considered during the day. The House agreed to conference reports of the postoffice, military academy, sundry civil, general deficiency appropriation bills and others of less importance. At G o’clock the House took a recess until 9 o’clock, when it reconvened and adopted the conference report on the emergency river and harbor bill. The shipping bill was passed.

The Senate met at 10:30 o’clock Thursday morning and immediately agreed to the conference report on the -river and harbor bill. Tlie Philippine bond bill was read, the House measure being substituted for that of the Senate. Mr. Lodge said he would not press it for passage nt this session. The conference report on the Panama government bill was adopted. A concurrent resolution to adjourn at 2 o’clock was adopted and at 1:25 o’clock the Senate went into executive session to consider appointments. At 1:52 o'clock tlie usual resolution offering the thanks of the Senate to its president was introduced by Mr. Gorman and at 2 o’clock the president’s gavel fell, adjourning tlie session sine die. Although it was admittedly the last day of tho session, tlie House galleries contained only a sprinkling of spectators when work was resumed at 10:30 o’clock in the morning. A number of conference reports on minor bills and that on the Panama canal zone government were agreed to. A vote of 162 to 97 was recorded in favor of the bill readmitting three naval cadets suspended for hazing, but tlie bill was defeated, two-thirds not voting for it. Mr. Williams, the minority leader, introduced the resolution of thanks to the Speaker and at 2:10 o’clock tlie House adjourned without day. »