Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-19

the appropriation of public money to any
societies under sectariau control
A House bill fixing times for holding the
district and circuit courts of the northern
district of Iowa was reported by Mr.. Wilson,
from the Judiciary Committee, and was
passed.
Another Lot of New Bills Bobs Up.
A bill was reported and placed on the
calendar to pay the State of West Virginia
her proportion of the amount claimed under
the direct tax. The following bills were
then introduced and referred:
By Mr. Peffer-Proposing an amendment
to the Constitution so as to elect President
and Vice President of the United States by
direct vote of the people.
By Mr.. Wilson-For the classification of
clerks and other employees of first and
second-class postoffices, and to fix their sal
aries.
By Mr. Allen-Giving to the State of
Washington per cent of the proceeds of
public lands in that State.
BY Mr.. McMillin-For the building of
two revenue cutters for service on the great
lakes, The bill appropriates S257, 900 for
the purpose. For a national park on the
battlefield of Lexington, Mo.
Mr. Hale offered resolution calling on
the Secretary of State for copies of all
agreements with other countries relating to
Interchange of trade, and for a report as to
the practical effect of such agreement Laid
on the table for the present
The La Abra Claims Still Around.
The Senate then took up the calendar, the
first bill upon it being the one reported
from the Committee on Foreign Relations
to amend the act of 1878 for the distribution
of awards under the convention of 1868 with
Mexico referring specially to the La Abra
claims. Mr.. Vest moved that the minority
report, made at the last session by Mr..
Brown, be printed in the Record. Only
16 Senators voted on the motion and Mr..
Vest withdrew it temporarily.
Mr.. Dolph quoted from previous reports
in Congress and from rulings by the State
Department in proof of the fraudulent char
acter of the La Abra claims During most
of Mr.. Dolph's remarks there were but two
Senators seated on his own side of the cham
Der and about dozen on the other, but
there was little or no pretense on the part
of more than two or three Senators of feel
ing any interest in the matter.
Mr.. Vest said all the personal interest he
had IN the case grew out of the fact that in
the State of Missouri there were many
widows and orphans whose entire estate
consisted of their rights under the La Abra
award. They had been guilty of no operjury
or subornation of perjury. Sixteen years
had elapsed since the trial. Five years had
been given to Mexico to bring ali its evil
dence, and it was not fair, just or right,
when national honor was involved, to over
turn the rights Of American citizens.
APert Question by Mr.. George.
Mr.. George-Have you any doubt of the
fraudulent character of the claims?
Mr.. Vest-Certainly; most unquestiona-
bly,; or 1 would not be here arguing as L
am am not talking about the We'll case,
which 1 have not examined, but about the
La Abra case. 1 say that Mexico has no
place in court after deliberately suppressing
testimony-Mr Zamacona, its agent. having,
when called upon to give certain evidence,
said: mo, do not propose to put it in,
because they would dIsprove it if did"
Mr.. Vest was still speaking to an audi
ence Of less than dozen Senators when he
yielded to a motion to proceed to executive
business, and soon afterward the Senate
until tomorrow.