Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-09-21
THE NATIONS SCAPITAL.
The Senate Tables Edmund's
Resolution.
Acrimonious Debate In the House
Regarding the Comm1ttee's Right to
Hold Back Btlls
Acrimonious Debate In the House
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20.
Senate.

WARRINGTON, sept ~
Senate
Mr.. Edmunds resolution to withhold the
Chinese bill was laid on the table By unani-
| mous consent.
After speaking two hours Mitchell yielded
the floor for a motion to proceed to executive
business. The executive session lasted over
an hour.
After the doors were reopened Plumb gave
notice that he would Monday next ask the
Senate to consider the bill forfeiting the
Northern Pacific railroad grant and Chandler
gave notice that he would Tuesday next ask
action on his resolution for the investigation
Of the Louisiana election.
Mitchell again took the floor and delivered
the remainder of his speech.
The bill to create an executive department
of agriculture was taken up.
Chandler said he questioned the propriety
of making the head of the department
member of the Cabinet, but would vote
for the bill, however. He was entirely op-
posed to the proposed transfer of the weather
bureau to the department until it should have
been shown that the experiment of raising
the office of commissioner to the dignity of
cabinet position was successful. Chandler
entered into the defence of the army and
navy, which, he said, were not aristocratic
institutions as their enemies would have
them believe.
After agreeing to take a vote at o'clock
tomorrow afternoon on the proposition 10
transfer the weather bureau to the agricul-
tural department. The Senate adjourned.
S-~~ House
Immediately after the reading of the
Journal, Burns Of Missouri called up the
conference report on sundry civil appropria-
lion bill, but the House .efused to agree tu
it.
Morrow of California offered resolution
directing the committee on enrolled bills
to transmit the Chinese bills to the
President forthwith and without delay.
McMlllen, of Tennessee, raised point of
order that the resolution didn't present ques-
ton OF privilege and was no allegation of delay
IN transmission of the bill that was unusual.
As matter of fact there were other cases
in which the delay was much greater.
Herbert, of Alabama, took the same
ground, and stated that newspapers only CAV
,e story as a matter of current rumor.
Morrow said he had been told by Kilgore
this morning that the bill was still IN his pos
session. Ii the bill could be withheld one
DAY it could be withheld six months. I'm
written rules of the House required the bill to
be delivered promptly to the President.
A lorg, acrimonious debate followed when
finally the speaker pro TEN sustained the
point of order. There was no law OF rule
prescribing the manner in which the bill
should be transmitted to the President but
The practice has grown up of entrusting that
duty to tie committee on enrolled bills
One days delay Is not unusual. The aver
age tin e it took for bill to reach the Presi-
aent attef having been signed by the presid-
ing officers of the two houses was three
days. While sustaining the point of order
he was not prepared TO say if the resolution
was again brought forward in few days he
would rule it Was not privileged, the re So
luton WAS not received and the House all
journed.