Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1906 — CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS

i The Senate Monday adopted a jofnt resolution reported by Mr. Tillman from the Senate committee on interstate commerce, directing the interstate commerce commission to investigate the charges of discrimination and combination in restraint of trade which have been made against the coal roads by the independent mine owners. Senator Tillman spetke in favor of the measure. Senator Lodge spoke at length on the railroad question, fav.oring government regulation of rates, but counseiing agai nst radical action. Speaker Cannon, in opening the session, dedicated a new gavel to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, and the martyred President was remembered iu the prayer of the chaplain. The House had sport with the District of Columbia whipping-post bill for wife beaters and laid it on the table by a vote of 153 to GO in spite of serious speeches in its favor by Congressman Adams of Pennsylvania, a bachelor, and Congressman Hepburn of lowa. The drastic anti-rebate bill introduced by Mr. Parker of New Jersey was passed. A bill prohibiting the sale of cocaine in the District of Columbia was passed. In the Senate Tuesday Mr. Hale, representing the committee on naval affairs, reported the bill prescribing the method of procedure in regard to hazing at the naval academy and gave notice that he would ask its consideration at an early date. The- remainder of the day was devoted to the shipping bill, Senators Spooner and Allison criticising variousfeatures and offering amendments, and Mr. Gallinaer championing the measure strongly. Senator Elkins, introduced, his railway rate bill. Mr. Heyburn asked and obtained the consent of the Senate-, to take a vote on the pure food bill Feb. 21. Several bills authorizing bridges in the South were passed by the House without discussion. Mr. Gillespie of Texas made a statement of the, grievances of the coal operators and shippers of Pennsylvania. At 1 o’clock the House' took up the fortifications appropriation bill, carrying $4,838,993, which provoked debate, especially in regard to fortifications in the Philippines. Mr. Smith of lowa urged greater activity on the part of committees supervising appropriations to check bureaucracy. The proposed $15,000,000 “naval stathm om’-Sublg Bay w4rs“ stl < dggly ; opposed.

The Senate Wednesday passed the ship subsidy bill by a vote of 38 to 27. All the votes for the bill were by Republicans, and five members of this party j° ifl * ed with the Democrats in opposition. The statehood bill was made unfinished business. The Hie.ise passed the fortifications appropriation bill, carries $600,000 to be divided between the Philippines and Hawaii out of a total of $1,383,093. No changes were made id the measure, all amendments being voted down. The discussion preceding the vote developed into a partisan debate on the policy to be pursued with regard to the future of the islands. The Senate Thursday began the consideration of the joint statehood bill and for an hour and a half listened to a speech by Mr. Dick in support of the measure as reported from the committee" on territories. Mr. Dick did not conclude his remarks. A bill prohibiting the unlawful wearing of the insignia of the G. A. R. and other soldier organizations was passed. The House passed a bill to increase to $30,000 a year the annual federal appropriation to each State and territory for the support of agricultural experiment stations and another measure repealing the present law granting American register to foreign ships wrecked-and repaired on the American coast; in the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and requiring a special act of Congress to grant such register. Mr. Payne sought to get through his bill for the consolidation of customs collecting districts, but a furious opposition developed and by a roll call a large majority voted against considering It. Both houses adjourned until Monday.

Notes of the National Capital. Major John C. Bates succeeds Chaffee as lieutenant general of the army. Sehator La Follette of Wisconsin has introduced a bill prohibiting railroad passes. Effort will be made to conclude the Reed Smoot investigation at this session of Congress. Representatives of many manufacturing interests have gone to Washington to urge the abolition of the tax on denaturalized grain alcohol. Sensational communications in Marcus Braun affair, which results in international breach, have been made public by President Roosevelt. M. Taigny, the French charge d'affaires expelled from Venezuela, says President Castro’s chief object is to get money, no matter by what means. President Roosevelt approved the verdict reducing Lieut. R. I. Taylor twelve numbers for insulting n subordinate. He severely scored array snobs. The House passed a bill prodding fine and imprisonment for any government employe who shall publish premature!/'' statistics that may affect the price of any crop or to speculate in articles likely to be affected by crop reports. Representative Bartholdt of Missouri, president of the International Parliamenttry Union, has introduced a resolution to instruct the delegates to the second Hague conference to favor the negotiation of arbitration treaties and the establishment of an international congress to convene periodically. • President Roosevelt* in approving verdiet in Taylor court martial, paid respects to army snob. Mark Twain and Rpeakef Cannon swapped jokes in the House of Representatives the other afternoon. The treasury deficit has been reduced to less than $3,400,000 and will be entirely wiped out within thirty days, ■aye a government financial statement. In,order to avoid too great publicity President and Mrs. Roosevelt did not publish n list of guests or wedding gifts nt the marriage of Miss Alice Roosevelt and Representative Nicholas Longworth.