Morning journal and courier., 1891-02-04
rHEFIFrY-Fin.T- -Oon.nEss.,

| Consideration of the Fertilization Bm Resumed in the Senate-Sev.
 eral Amendments Passed and Re- jected-The House in Committee of the Whole on the Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation Hill. House bill to amend section 1S0 of the revised statutes Gin reference to temporary designations to fill vacancies in case of death, sickness or absence of heads of de- partments) was reported back with 6 sub stitute. The substitute amends three sections of the revised statutes on that subject and limits to thirty days the period of such designation except where the duties are exercised by the assistant secretary in which case there is no limita- ton.
 The consideration of the fortifcation bill was then resumed. The first item that attracted notice was one appropriat- ing million dollars for the purchase of oil-tempered and annealed steel for high power coast defence guns of eight, ten and twelve inch caJibre. The committee on appropriations recommended reduc- tion of the amount to $500, 1000, and MT. Gorman moved a still further reduction to $250, ,000, and made statement that that amount should be reduced.
 MT. Dawes opposed MT. Germans amendment and advocated that of the committee on appropriations.
 The question was taken on Mr. Germans amendment and it was rejected.
 MT. Chandler gave notice that he would move to amend the committees amend ment in relation to mortars by providing that they shall be built entirely of steel, and he argued in support of that proposition.
 The discussion having at length closed, the committee amendment reducing the appropriation for oil tempered steel from $1 ,0O0, 900 to $500, 900 was agreed to: Yeas Dolph, Frye, Hawley, Stewart and Teller.)
 The next amendment reached was to in sert the following paragraph:
 For breech-loading sea coast mortars, cast iron hoopNd with steel, of twelve inch cahbre, $4ONO00.
 MT. Chandler moved to amend the para graph so as to make it read: For breech- loading rifed steel mortars of twelve inch calibre, etc., etc.
 The amendment was discussed at much length, but no action was reached.
 
 was reported and MT. Allison said that he would ask the senate tomorrow to take it up and pass it.
 The senate after short executive session at 5:35 p. m. adjourned.
 HOUSE.
 After the approval of the journal the house proceeded to dispose of various mat ters of private business on the speakers table (referring the measures to appropri- ate committees or sending them to confer ence)
 Some discussion arose over the house bill granting pension of $50 a month to Frances T. Dana, widow of Commander William Starr Dana, with senate amend ment increasing the amount to $50 MT. Lodge of Massachusetts, championed the amendment, which was antagonistic to MT. Cheadle of Indiana and MT. Kerr of Iowa, on the ground that it was in line of class legislation. The amendment was concurred in.
 On motion of MT. Caldwell of Ohio senate amendment was agreed to to house bill granting pension to Mrs. E. F. Moves, widow of the late Minister Moves.
 On motion of MT. Crane of Texas senate amendments were concurred in to house bill to promote the construction of safe deep-water harbor on the coast of Texas The house then went into committee of the whole, MT. Payson of Illinois in the chair, on the diplomatic and consular ap- propriation bill.
 After debate the committee, without dis posing of the bill, arose and the house ad- journed.