Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1904 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

The Hoiise resolution for an adjournment from Dec. 21 to Jan. 4 was adopted by the Senate Tuesday. Jan. 21 was set as the date for the receiving of the statue of John J. Ingalls, given to Statuary Hall by the State of Kansas. The pure food bill was taken up on motion of Mr. McCumber, who spoke in support of the measure, saying the government should protect the country against adulterated food on the same principle that protection is given against counterfeit money. Mr. Platt of Connecticut and Mr. Spoouer thought the bill should be simplified. At 2 p. m. the Philippine Railroad bill was taken up, but as no one wished to speak a large number of private pension bills were passed. A resolution providing for the impeachment of Judge Charles Swayne of Florida wai adopted by the House without a division, after the previous question had been ordered by a vote of 198 to 61. In a debate of five hours Messrs. Palmer of Pennsylvania, Clayton of Alabama, Powers of Massachusetts, Heury of Texas, and Lamar of Florida advocated impeachment, while of California and Littlefield of Maine spoke in opposition.

The Senate on Wednesday received official notice of the determination of th* House of Representatives to present impeachment charges against Charles Swayne, Federal judge in the Northern District of Florida. A committee was appointed to prepare the details of the proposed trial. The Philippine government bill and the pure food bill were considered. Mr. Foraker presented a tariff amendment to the Philippine bill. Mr. Culberson (Texas) gave notice that he would offer several amendments to the bill, among them one striking out the entire section guaranteeing interest on the bonds of the proposed system of railroads. In the House further action on tho impeachment proceedings against Judge Charles Swayne was taken. From the Committee on the Judiciary Mr. Jenkins (Wis.) reported back the resolutions demanding an inquiry into the so-called steel trust, with the recommendation that the resolution lie on the table. The recommendation wa3 adopted. Mr. Baker (Dem., of N. Y.) moved an amendment to reduce from $25,000 to $24,000 the appropriation for testing coals and lignites. A bill was passed amending the revised statutes so as to give foreign authors the right to copyright in this country any time within twelve months after publication abroad; amending the revised statutes so ns to restrict patents on drugs or medicines to the process of manufacture, and not the product.

In fiie Senate Thursday a resolution providing for “proper action” on the charges against Judge Swayne when articles of impeachment are presented by the House, but fixing no date for the beginning of the proceedings, was adopted. The urgency deficiency appropriation bill was passed without debate. The Philippine administration bill was taken up and amendments were offered by Mr. McCumber striking out the provision for the guaranteeing of interest on railroad bonds to 2% per cent providing that they be guaranteed by the government of the United States, and prescribing a method for taxation of railroad receipts in the islands; by MeComas empowering tho Philippine commission to amend the tariff laws of the islands, by Mr. Culberson granting 20,000 acres of Philippine public lands for every mile of railroad constructed, by Mr. Bailey giving the Philippine government authority to regulate the charges of the aided roads and by Mr. Spooner restricting the authorization of municipalities to contract indebtedness to promote local improvements. By agreement the bill and the amendments will be voted on Friday. Mr. Perkins introduced a bill appropriating sl,400,000 for n federal building at Honolulu. Mr. Berry presented a memorial from the Cherokee Nation asking that Indian Territory be allowed a delegate in Congress. In executive session extradition treaties with Hayti and Cuba — the latter amendatory—were ratified and ordered made public. In the House a resolution discharging elections committee No. 2 from further consideration of the Reyuolds-Butler contest from the twelfth Missouri district because the contestant bad not complied with the law in regard to time in which testimony should be taken was adopted.

The day in the Senate was principally devoted to debate on the Philippine civil government bill, which finally was passed by a vote of 44 to 23. Mr. Beveridge, from the Committee on Territories, reported the statehood bill and announced he will make a motion on the first day that the Senate convenes in January that the consideration of the bill shall be entered upon at once. Representing the minority of the committee Mr. Bate notified the Senate thnt he would enter a motion to recommit the bill for the purpose of taking further testimony. Mr. Bard gave notice of an amendment confining the provisions of the bill to the State to be formed by the union of Oklahoma and Indian Territory and eliminating all reference to Arizona and New Mexico. Mr. Hepburn and Mr. McOumber sought to get up the pure food bill, but Mr. Lodge moved an executive session and his motion prevailed. The session of the House was given over almost exclusively to consideration of bills on the private calendar, a dozen or more being passed. The Senate amendments to the urgent deficiency bill were agreed to.