The National tribune., 1889-02-07
THURSDAY, JAN. 81.

In the Senate, number of petitions and
memorials were presented from different sec
tions of the country in favor of the Sunday
law; which were referred TO the Committee on
Education and Labor. Also, great many petit
tions favoring prohibitory legislation which
were ordered to lie on the table.
The Senate then resumed consideration of
the Diplomatic and Consular appropriation bill,
the pending question being upon the amend
ment regarding the Samoan Islands offered by
Mr.. Reagan tTex.l, to insert the words, and
for the protection of the rights of American
citizens residing in said islands, and to preserve
the neutrality and independence thereof"
Mr. Hale (Me.) did not object to the first
clause in the amendment, but was not willing
to 60 farther than that, as he was not willing
the Senate should declare that it would pre-
serve the neutrality or maintain the independ-
ence of any people.
Mr. Sherman t0hiol agreed with the views
| expressed by Mr.. Hale and said that as the Com
mlttee on Foreign Relations had agreed unan-
mously TO the amendments reported. the words
expressed by Mr. Reagan's amendment tended
to weaken the committees amendment Why
talk about protection to American citizens?
What act of cruelty had been done in Samoa
to any American citizen? No American citizen
had been killed there Why use Fourth
of July language" in bin defining the pur-
pose and objects of the President in enforcing
and maintaining treaty obligations?
Alr. Fry Me- did not agree with the Senator
| from Ohio that no wrongs had been committed
III Samoa against American citizens, but thought
the Senator from Texas should not insist on
his amendment at this time
The discussion continued through the dav
| and the amendment appropriating $500. 900 was
! agreed to and the bill was then paSsed-the
| amendment making Ministers to foreign eoun-
tries Ambassadors having been rejected.
The Senate adjourned at 6:l5 o'clock p. M,
| after a short Executive session.
In the House, the Oklahoma bill was the
subject of discussion for the entire days session.
the opponents of the bill eudeavorng to delay
! progress by discussion. Several rol-cals were
| had, first one side and then the other gaining
! the advantage. The House was pretty well
| divided upon the measure, none of the roll
| calls showing more than half a dozen differ
! ence in the whole House. Mr.. Warner (Mo0
and Mr.. Grosyenor (Ohio) had quite a contro-
versy upon the matter. Mr.. Payson's CID
| amendment was defeated-yeas no. nays I4O
| Without coming to a conclusion the House adj
journed at $50 o'clock p. m.
FRIDAY, FEB. l.
The President sent to the Senate message
vetoing the pension bill Of Mrs Ellen Hand,
which was laid on the table. The ground of
disapprOval was that the soldiers death was in
no way related to any incident of military
service. Mr.. Platt Conn., said he would have
| some remarks TO make upon the message
The House amendments to the admission of
South Dakota as State were non concurred in.
and conference was requested
Mr.. Salisbury (Del.) offered a resolution.
which was agreed to, instructing the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations to inquire into the
condition Of affairs in the Samoan Islands. and
to report at early day what measures are
necessary or proper to protect the interests of
| American citizens therein. and to discharge
any obligations of the United States to the peo
pie of those islands in the maintenance of their
own local government from the interference of
any foreign power, and to secure the lust rights
and interests of the United States in the fu-
ture control and government of those islands
Mr.. Sherman (Ohio) presented letter from
the Secretary of State, with copy of the formal
concession of the harbor of Page Page made to
the United States by the Samoan Government
in accordance with the treaty, and it was re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A short Executive session was then held.
and the Senate at o'clock p. In. adjourned
until Monday.
In the House, on motion of Mr. Townshend
(ill.) the Senate amendments to the House
bill authorizing the loan of flags to the Imam
gural Committee were c0ncurred in
Mr.. Hatch Mo- submitted the conference re-
port on the bill to create Department of Agri-
culture which was agreed to- The only mate
rial difference between the two Houses was the
clause striking out the removal of the Weather
Bureau from the War Department. which will
remain where it now is.
1 A brief skirmish ensued between the friends