Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1906 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

The House Monday passed a resolution \ caling on the President to furnish infor- f mation as to the existence of an alleged | agreement in violation of the 'interstate commerce law. between tkePenhsylyania, Baltimore and Ohio, Norfolk and Western, Chesapeake and Ohio, Northern Central and Philadelphia, Baltimare_ and Washington Ilailroad companies. Unanimous consent was given to begin on Tuesday the consideration of tlie Heubur'n railroad rate hill anil lo continue the sahie until the bill shall be disposed of. A tribute to the memory of Gen. Joseph Wheeler was paid by naming a street, in the capital "Wheeler street.” The Mann general bridge bill was passed with several perfecting amendments. It provides general provisions to De compTted with •hereafter i&\tfie construction of bridges across navigable streams. The Chinese boycott and the administration of the forest reserve divided the attention of the Senate. Mr. Tillman offered a resolution directing an investigation of Chinese affairs and Mr. Ileyburn sharply criticised the methods of the foresrry bureau. The House statehood bill was reported favorably. and notice was given that there would be a majority report.

The Senate Tuesday passed the bill for the reorganization of the consular service and about; forty other* measures, many of them of considerable importance. Several provide for lighthouses, fog signals, revenue cutters and public buildings. The shipping bill was under consideration for a time and'was amended so as to relieve it from constitutional objections. It was supported in a speech by Mr, Lodge. There also was—a diseusion of the bills making common carriers liable for injury to employes, which arose over the question of their reference to committees. Some Senators intimated that the committees were anxious to avoid the responsibility of pasing on these measures. Discussion of tli- rate regulation bill was begun in the House,, and the members evinced a more general interest in tbomatter than in any topic that has come, up for a long time. Mr. Townsend of Michigan opened with a speech supporting the bill, being followed by Mr. Adamson of Georgia, representing the minority, who commended the measure. Questions by Mr. Sherley of Kentucky and Mr. Littlefield of Maine indicated that there is to be some opposition, at least in debate.

Ln the Senate Wednesday Mr. Patterson strongly "indorsed the position of the President in Santo Domingo and in the matter of the Moroccan conference. Mr. Tillman presented a resolution request ing the President to send to the Senate all the official correspondence with the American .minister to Santo Domingo in 1904. It went over until Thursday. Mr. Heyburn sought an agreement to vote on the pure food, bill Feb. 7, but Mr. Teller objected. Mr. Teller made a similar objection when Mr. Galllnger sought to have a time fixed for a vote on the-ship-ping bill. Considerable debate on this measure followed, but no action was taken. Discussion of the railroad rate bill was continued in the Mouse Speeches by Mr. Campbell (Kan.f and Mr. Martin (S. D.) took a wider range and in.cluded trust evils. Another speech in favor of the bill was made by Mr. Bartlett (Ga.), while Mr. Perkins (N. Y.) attacked the measure. A bill was passed granting a federal charter to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The fund consists of $lO,000,000, the income of which is to furnish a pension to retired educators. Right to dam the Rock river at Grand Detoui, 111., was granted.

The Senate Thursday passed about forty miscellaneous bills, providing for a delegate in Congress from Alaska and for lighthouses, revenue cuttefs and fish cultural stations. The greater .part of the time was devoted to the shipping bill, Mr. Tenrose making a set speech in favor of the measure. Mr. Tillman’s resolution calling on the President to send to the Senate, all the letters from the minister to Santo Domingo to the State Department in 1904 was referred to the committee on foreign relations. The House called for the estimate of cotton yet to be ginned, which the director of the census has compiled, but which he has no authority to make public until March. The discussion of the railroad rate bill was continued. Mr. Shelby (Pa.) attacked the measure as socialistic. Mi*. Knapp (N. Y.), Mr. Shakelford (Mo.) and Mr. Heflin (Ala.) supported it. A resolution looking to the preservation of Niagara Falls was agreed to. It requires a report and recommendation from the American members of the joint commission appointed a few years ago to consider this question.

The first formal reading of the statehood bill was begun in the Senate Friday, but Mr. Teller objected, and consideration of the measure was postponed. The shipping bill was the subject of considerable debate, Mr. Patterson attacking and Mr. Gnllinger and Mr. Perkins supporting it. The provision prohibiting vessels from receiving subsidies for more than ten years was struck out. One hundred and fifteen pension bills were passed. Another measure adopted provides for a survey for a new deep harbor on Lake Michigan. The Senate adjourned until Monday. Speeches on the railway rate bill occupied the House for six hours. Mr. McCall of Massachusetts attacked the measure, while Messrs. Burton of Ohio. Russell of Texas, Thomas of North Carolina, Burke of South Dakota and Goulden of New York supported it. Note* of the National Capital. The Supreme Court of the United States is taking a recess for the consideration of cases which have been presented to the cdurt. President Roosevelt has declined to extend a pardon to Charles H. Cole, former president of the Globe National bank of Boston, Mass., convicted of violation of the national banking lawn. Congress plans on inquiry into tho Navy Department, as the result of the basing at Annapolis, the explosion on (be Bennington and the recent grounding St the battleships in New York harbor.