Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1905 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

In the Senate Monday Senator Beveridge closed the debate on the statehood bill, giving special attention to the proposition to unite Arizona and New Mexico. He was preceded- by Senator Fornker, who supported liis amendment to eliminate Arizona and New Mexico from the preposition. The proceedings were interrupted for about ten minutes .while the Senate, as n court of impeachment, received the replication of tiie House managers to Judge Swayne’s answer in tlie impeachment case, alter which tlie court adjourned until Friday. Senator Stone presented a memorial of the Missouri Legislature for the enactment of th» President's recommendations for enlarging the powers of the interstate commerce commission, and Senator Spooner one from the Wisconsin Legislature praying for a revision of the tariff laws. A bill was passed adding to Arkansas a small strip of land iu Fort Smith, now in Indian Territory. In accordance with the rule adopted Monday, the House Tuesday in committee of the whole convened one hour earlier than usual, the exclusive business for the day being debate upon the bills regulating freight rates. Mr. Richardson (Ala.) continued his speech. During the day brief speeches were made by Messrs. Rainey (Ill.), Prince (III.), Hinshaw (Neb.l. Wanger (Pa.), Adams (Pa.), Mann (Ill.),' Smith (Iowa) and Gaines (W. Vn.) in support of the Townsend bill. After listening to a message from the* President recommending a board of survey for the Philippine archipelago, the House adjourned. In the Senate the day and evening were devoted to the statehood bill. The statehood hill was passed. It provides for statehood for Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one State, and New Mexico as another State. The Senate on Wednesday, after considerable debate on the statehood tangle, passed the following bills: Authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to issue medals to officers and men in the navy and marine corps who have distinguished themselves; appropriating SSOO for marking the grave of Major Tierre Charles l'Enfant, who laid put the city of Washington. In the House the Senators and Representatives - met in joint session and canvassed the electoral vote, Theodore Roosevelt and Charles W. Fairbanks being declared officially to ho elected President and 5 ice President for four years beginning March 4. 1905. The vote' was 336 for the Republicans and 140 for the Democrats. In the Senate Thursday Mr. Lodge presented petitions from 1,642 Christian Endeavor societies, in all parts of the country asking that an international congress lie called to meet at stated intervals to consider subjects of common interest. The diplomatic and military academy appropriation bills were reported. The pure food hill was made the unfinished business. The agricultural appropriation bill was taken up, and the provision for the punishment of persons who may use a symbol modeled after those the weather bureau for calling attention to private forecasts was stricken out. T'he Esch-Towu.senrl rate bill was passed by the House, 326 to 17, after the Dnvcy bill, tlie Democratic substitute, had been defeated. 151 to IS6. The statehood bill was received from the Senate and sent to the committee on territories. A resolution asking tlie Secretary of War for information regarding the army transport service was adopted. Bills were passed authorizing the construction of a bridge across the St. Joseph river in Berrien county, Michigan, and of a dam across Rainy river, Minnesota. In the Senate Friday the Swayne impeachment trial was begun, two witnesses being examined. Several minor bills were passed, one donating condemned bronze cannon to the Grand Army of the Republic for use in making badges. In the House thirty-three private pension bills were passed in an hofir and a half. The bill providing a government for the Panama Canal zone, abolishing the canal commission and giving control to the President, was taken up, explained by Mr. Maun of Illinois and considered until adjournment. The entire time of the Senate Saturday which was not spent in executive session was given to tlie Swayne impeachment trial. Four witnesses were examined. All of them were from Pensacola, Fla., and they were introduced for the purpose of showing thnt up to 1900 Judge Swayne had not acquired a residence in his district in Florida. In executive session the arbitration treaties were amended and ratified. As an outgrowth of thd investigation of the General Slocum disaster the House passed a tiumber of bills amending the laws relating to the steamboat inspection service, and making far more rigid provision for the regulation and control of steam vessels. The House uoneoneurred in the Senate amendments to the hill ranking it unlawful to use the words “United States Assay” on articles of gold or silver mail, ufneture, and agreed to the conference report on the bill providing for tlie registration of trade marks. A bill prepared by the Navy Department was passed authorizing the President to reappoint three midshipirient dismissed from the naval academy for hazing, nnd providing that they shall re-enter at the foot of their class. Tribute to tlie memory of the late Senator George Frisbie Hoar of Massachusetts was the occasion of a special session of the House of Representatives Sunday.