Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1905 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

The Senate Tuesday passed the military academy appropriation bill and began consideration of the Indian appro — priation bill. The bill for the government of the isthmian canal zone also came up, and an agreement was reached to meet an hour earlier Wednesday in order to advance it. In response to a question, Mr. Elkins, chairman of the committee on interstate commerce, expressed the opinion that it. would be impossible to secure railroad rate legislation during the present session of Congress. Ex-Senator Higgins finished his preliminary statement in opening the defense for Judge Swayne, and one witness was examined. The House passed the Philippine tariff bill practically as it came from committee and with little discussion. The river aml -harbor- appropriation bill was taken up. but it was soon laid ajside, and several measures passed, the most important of which authorizes lhe Secretary of War to return to several States Union and Confederate battle Hags. The Senate on Wednesday considered the bill providing a civil government for the Panama canal zone,' The question of the government's ownership of the Panama railroad and its relation to tire general question of government ownership of railroads generally was debated freely. A number of witnesses were examined in the Swayne impeachment ease. W ashington's farewell addressrwns read. After a brief but spirited debate the House sent back to conference the army appropriation bill. All Senate amendments again were disagreed to witli the Single exception of one appropriating $95,000 for continuing the cable from Valdes to Seward, Alaska. There was renewed discussion over the Miles feature of the bill. The rest of the session was devoted to discussing the river and harbor bill, "which was not completed. The Senate on Thursday passed the bill providing a form of government for the Panama canal zone after accepting an amendment authorizing the purchase rather than the condemnation of the remaining Stock of the Panama Railroad Company. At 1 o'clock the Swayne impeachment trial was resumed, continuing until adjournment, with an intermission of two hours. The taking of testimony was completed at 9:20 p. m., ami Mr. Olmstead began the argument for the prosecution. . The House passed the river Hid harbor appropriation bill, carrying an appropriation of $17,234,057. An amendment to strike out the provision providing for the transfer of a government dredge from Boston to Lake Michigan was defeated, 21 to 112. The military academy bill was sent to conference after the Senate amendments to appoint Senator Joseph Hawley and Gen. Peter J. Osterhaus brigadier generals op the retired list had been agreed to. The time of the Senate Friday was divided between the Swayne impeachment trial and the motion of Senator Beveridge to appoint conferees on tho joint statehood bill. In the Swayne case Messrs. Perkins. Clayton and Powers made aranmojits for the prosecution, and Mr. Higgins responded in Judge Swayne's behalf. Senator Morgan antagonized the motion to appoint conferees on the statehood bill and held the floor in opposition when the Senate adjourned for the day. A large part of the session of the House was devoted to the sundry civil appropriation bill. The appropriation of $130,000 for rental of the old New York custom house was stricken out, 9.3 to 77, after, an excited debate, and the measure was still under discussion at adjournment. Mr. Hull presented a further conference report on the army appropriation bill, which was ordered printed. The Senate amendments to the Panama canal government bill were disagreed to and the bill sent to conference. Mr. Mann of Illinois introduced a railroad rate bill and one to enforce the common law responsibilities of common carriers, and Mr. Hinshaw of Nebraska a resolution for printing 1.000 additional copies of the “Jefferson Bible.” A bill was passed making the holder of five shares of stock in national banks with $25,009 capital eligible as a director. The Seiiate Saturday sent to conference the statehood ami Panama Canal government bills, and then proceeded with the Swayne trial, in wljeh the concluding arguments were made by Mr. ’Thurston for tho defense and Manager de Armond for the prosecution. The Senate then went into executive session to deliberate on the case, and adopted*'’ a motion to begin voting Monday nt 10 o’clock, a separate vote to be taken' up and Senators Hale and Gorman united in condemning the rapid increase of the navy, A largo number of private bills, including 3155 pension bills, were passed. The sundry civil bill occupied most of tho time of tho House, action being taken on n number of minor amendments. Bills were passed amending the statute providing a penalty for making false statements in seeking to enter publications ns second-class matter, and the Mann bill regulating the construction of bridges across navigable waters. At 3 o’clock special exercises were hold accepting and thanking the State of Toxas for statues of Sam Houston ami Stephen F. Austin.