The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-12-13
Congressional Proceedings.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6.-Tn the senate, Mr..
Voorhees, introduced the two pension bills
that originated in the house the first day of
the session. One defines snndry crimes
against the United States in the administra-
ton of the pension laws aud the other de-
clares pension to be a vested right and
regulates suspension of pensions. Senator
Hoar's resolution calling for information re-
lating to Hawaii was called up, and its au-
thor made vigorous attack upon the
course pursued by the administration Mr.
Hoar thought that the presidents intention
in the matter was thing which the senate
and the people were entitled to understand
without delay. If not, there would be
swift and indignant remonstrance from the
American people against restoring the
queen to her throne that would reach even
the dull ears of the executive. In the
house, Mr. Grosvenor (rep) of Ohio offered
a resolution which contained the names of
800 Ohio pensioners who had been dropped
from the rolls, and requesting the secretary
OF the interior to furnish the house de-
tailed statement of the reason for these sus-
pensions. The remainder of the day was
spent in desultory discussion of the need
of reorganization of the navy.
THURSDAY Senator Morrill, gave notice
that he would address the senate to-day
on the resolution offered by him, referring
to the committee on finance all parts of the
presidents message relating to the tariff
lhOcl ISN6uub, anu income TAX. Alter a
discussion in regard to the proper reference
OF the house bill to repeal the federal cleo.
non laws, and the passage of three private
pension bills, including one granting a pen
sion OF 500 month to the widow of Gen
John NJ Corse, the senate adjourned till
Monday. - In the house, the discussion
of the bankruptcy bill occupied the morn
ing hour. Mr.. Bailey of Texas spoke at
length In opposition to the measure, and
Mr.. Oates OF Alabama favored it, He said
the public press, in some instances, had de-
clared that the bill re-establshed imprison-
ment for debt. AS a matter of fact, the
Judge OF court was only authorized to de-
tain debtor when it was shown beyond
question that he proposed removing from
the jurisdiction of court in order to defeat
the pending proceedings. This could not
be construed to be imprisonment for debt.
The measure contained no harsh provisions.
Politics did not enter the question. A res
olution offered by Mr. Cooper of Indiana
was adopted, authorizing the secretary of
war to grant permission for the use of the
monument grounds by the executive COM
mittee of the knights of Pythias for the
use OF an encampment in August, 1894;
also to grant the use of public reservations
and parks along the line of march for the
erection OF stands with seats thereon.
FRIDAY. - In the house, Mr.. Talbot of
South Carolina introduced resolution
calling upon the ways and means commit
tee to at once bring in revised tariff bill,
and directing the committee on banking
and currency to report a bill providing for
financial relief, in order that the dominant
party may redeem its platform pledges
Objection being made to its immediate con-
the resolution went over. An
attempt was made to 60 into committee OF
the whole to consider the bill providing for
the admission of Utah as state, but no
quorum was present. The bankruptcy bill
was killed by vote of 142 to ILL., and an
adjournment to Monday afternoon was
made.
MoNDAY.-On the reassembling of the
senate, Mr.. HOar introduced resolution
asking by what authority Commissioner
Blount had been appointed, and proceeded
to comment upon the fact that information,
which had been given to the senate under
the seal of confidence, had been supplied by
the state department to the representatives
OF four newspapers that were known to be
Jealous, thoroughgoing, almest unscrupu-
lous supporters of the administration. The
appointment of a commissioner with "para-
authority as representative of the
United States in these islands, Mr.. Hoar re-
garded as being as gross violation of the con-
stitution of the United States as was ever
charged upon or imputed to any public Off
cial. Mr.. Hoar said if the president had
while the senate was in session, appointed
An officer to exercise paramount diplomatic
authority, and to withdraw at his discretion,
Or to land the forces of the United States
he was standing on a very slippery place,
from which he had better get off at once
He also added that if such an official had
a correspondence with private
individuals about the public affairs of the
government with which he had been en-
trusted, and his conduct was approved by
the president, the latter made himself an
after the fact, and was standing
IN ice-not very slippery but very thin.
MIR, HOar's remarks were listened tn with |
great attention, and were often interrupted
with applause from the republican side.
- Nothing of importance transpired in
The house. Mr.. Culberson tried TO call up
the bill relative to captured and abandoned !
property claims, which reopens claims re-
ected on the ground of disloyalty, but Mr..
Reed objected on the ground that the bill
was too important to be considered in the
morning hour, and it went over.