The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-12
CONGRESS-
An Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
TUESDAY. MAY 3.

TUESDAY. MAY 3.
Tn the Senate, Mr.. Morgan called up the
Presidents message on the subject of an Inter
national Conference as TO silver coinage. Mr..
Dolnb tried to get action on the Conference
ronort ON the Chinese exclusion bills, but Mr.
Morgan refused to give precedence to that SUD-
;pct remarking that there was not so much
nressure about it as that the Senator from
Routh Dakcta-who desired to address the Sem
~te-might not have the courtesy of a hearing.
Mr. KYLE then addressed the Senate in favor
81 the free coinage of silver at length. Al the
close of his speech the message was laid on the
table for the present.
The Conference report on the Chinese eXelu-
sion bill was then taken mp. Mr. Sherinah
stated that although he was member OF the
Conference Committee he had not signed the
ranort He was willing to provide any neces-
sarv LEGISLATION for the restriction OF Cnlnese
1abor and thought that the Senate bill had
done so very broadly, as it had proposed 10
contiuue in force the existing laws, with pen
alties for their violation by Cinnamon coming
10 the United States especially through Canaoa'
Mr. Dolrh. another of the Senate Conferrees,
defended the report, and Mr.. Dawes opposed
the report. .--,.
After considerable argument the report was
sdopted-veas 80. nays Is.
After n short Executive session the Senate
adjourned. .,,
went into Committee of the Whole on the
Diplomatic bill.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Chapman
Mich. ID \ providing that no part OF the emer-
pencv fund shall be paid TO any foreign Gov
eminent in settlement of any claim against the
United States, was adopted.
Mr. Rlount Ga, D. moved to strike out the
approximation of $4,000 for the collection anu
distribution of commercial information, as
recommended by the International American
Congress. Agreed to.
The committee then rose and reported the
bin 10 the House. and the bill was then passed.
On motion Of Nj Cultivate (Ohio, d. the
amendments of the Senate to the Army appro-
priation bill were non-concurred IN, anu
conference ordered.
The House then adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, May a.
At the expiration OF the morning hour the
Senate took up the calendar, and number OF
bills were disposed Of, among them being one
TO convey to the State of Kansas portion OF
the Fort Hayes Military Reservation (aoous
5000 acres) for homes for old soldiers and
their families and to open the rest OF the reser-
walton to homestead settlement.
Mr.. Allison moved to strike out the section
openinp the lands to homestead settlers, and
argued that the section would be for the beneht
of few people residing within 10 miles OF the
reservation, the lands being very valuable de
preferred giving the whole reservation to the
State of Kansas for homes for old soldiers.
After much discussion Mr.. Allisons motion
was agreed to- and the bill was passed.
The Senate went into Executive session, and
when the doors were opened adjourned.
In the House Mr.. Geary (Cal, d. presented
the Conference report on the Chinese exclusion
bill. and demanded the previous question on
its adoption; which was ordered.
Mr. HIT (Ill.. r. and Mr.. Hooker Miss, ID
opposed the report, and then the report was
agreed to-yeas 1S5, nays %.
Mr.. snodgrass Tenn, d., rising to ques-
ton of privilege submitted the following reso-
luton:
Whereas a bill entitled a bill ITO encourage
American ship-building," was passed by this
House on May 2, under suspension OF the rules
without proper explanation, and under misap-
prehensiou as TO its provisions, and while the
House was led TO believe that the ships mentioned
In said bill did not come within the provisions OF
the act approved March g. 1891, granting subsidies
TO American ships; and
Whereas on examination said bill gives these
ships all the rights and privileges OF vessels oil
the United States far as subsidies are con-
eerned:
turn said bill to the House for recommends
ton.
The Speaker said that he would hear the
gentleman on the question as TO whether the
resolution was privileged one.
In speaking to this question Mr.. Snodgrass
intimated that the House had been imposed
upon. which intimation called forth an earnest
protest from Mr.. Cochran, of New York. The
gentleman was not in order when he said that
any member had imposed upon his felow-mem-
bers.
Mr. suodgrass said the gentleman need not
be disturbed. Nothing he had said could be
construed as rejecting on any member.
Mr. Cochran NY. ID. said {: +" The gentleman
is mistaken if ne thinks that anything he could
say would disturb me. / am speaking for the
dignity of the House."
Mr.. Snodgrass said that the House could
take care Of its own dignity, and continuing,
argued that if the House had known the pur-
pose and import of the bill il would not have
been passed. 1t had been passed under a mis-
apprehension, and the House could do no
wrong without having the right to correct it.
The Speaker did not think that the resolu-
ton could have any privileges. 1t merely con-
tanned an allegation that the bill should not
have passed, because the House did not under
stand it.
The resolution was not received.
Mr.. Goodnight KY D. reported a bill from
the Judiciary Committee calling on the Attor-
ney-General for information as TO whether the
sugar trust has violated the antitrust law; and
II so, whether prosecution has been instituted
for such violation. The resolution was adopted
after discussion.
After much opposition on the part of Mr.
Holman Ind, d. the House went into Com
mittee Of the Whole on the River and Harbor
appropriation bill.
Dir. Blanchard Ia, d. explained the bill
at length.
Without reaching a conclusion the Commit
tee rose and the House adjourned.
THURSDAY, MAYS.
The Senate took up and passed the Hous
bill appropriating $4,000 to defray the OK
penses Of the Boring Sea arbitration at Paris.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Jones, of Ar
kansas. for the payment to the Choctaws anc
Chickssaws for their interests in the Cheyenn
and Arapahoe reservation (nearly 100000
was taken up end Mr. Platt addressed the Sen
ate in opposition to il.
DE said that the courts were the place 70
the decision Of the question, and that it wa
almost travesty TO argue it before an inatten
tive Senate. Nevertheless he went on to az
que it, using map Of the Indian Territory
aud going back to the original treaties in elu
cidation Of his speech. Coming down 10 tn
appropriation, Mr. Platt referred to the actio
of the Choctaw Legislature in contracting
pay one-fourth of the amount recovered {
three delegates, who were TO present the mat
ter TO Congress-; and 10 the statement OF one
them Robert ]. Ward that the three delegate
had given their notes for So, 500 to Senators
the Choctaw Council TO secure their confirm;
ton. These facts, he said, were before tl
President when he declined TO authorize til
payment of the appropriation, and the add