The Portland daily press., 1895-12-19

practicable without unwise delay, to the
methods prescribed for making contr acts
and purchases by existing laws. The
sum of one hundred million dollars is ap-
propriated to carry into effect the pro-
visions of this act.
There was an unusually email atten-
dance of Senators at the opening OF TO-
days session, and there was not the least
sign or indication of excitement growing
out of the Presidents s message.
Mr.. Hill of New York, introduced
bill to repeal the law which provides
that nc person who held commission
in the army and navy of the United
States at the beginning of the late rebel
lion and who afterwards served in any
capacity in the military, naval or civil
service of the Confederate States. shall
be appointed to any position in the army
or navy of the United States. He asked
that the bill be put upon its passage at
once. remarking that it was particularly
proper and opportune at this critical
period of our history. that such an offen-
sive epithet should be wiped out.
The Vice President asked whether
there was any objection to Mr.. Hills
request that the bill be now considered.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut, said that the
request seemed to him rather remarkable.
1t was likely that all Senators would
vote for it, but in the absence of the Sem
was the first Republican Senator in the
judiciary commjtte, he would insist on
the bill going to that committee. There
was no immediate haste for the passage
of the bill. The country was not likely
to get into war before the reassembling
of Congress.
The bill was allowed to reamin on the
table.
Mr.. Chandler then introduced his bill
ito strengthen tb military armament"
and 1t was referred to the committee on
military affairs.
Mr.. Davis offered resolution which
was agreed to calling on the President
for all diplomatic correspondence and
other Information respecting the estab-
ishment of post routes by Great Britain
or the Dominion of Canada over or upon
Uuited States territory in Alaska, also
respecting the occupation or attempted
occupation by any other means of any
portion of that territory by the military
or civil authorities of Great Britain Or
Canada, also respecting any other at
tempt by Great Britain or Canada to as
sert any claim Ito the territory of the
United States in Alaska.
A resolution heretofore offered by MIR.
Call, Democrat of Florida for the ap-
pointment of select committee to inves-
tigate the oragnized efforts of corpora
tions to control the election of members
OIL congress OF lluu6nC6 l0lSSlsbblUu OI
Congress was taken up. Mr.. Call made
an arugmenJ in favor of its adoption.
4 Mr.. Hale, Republican of Maine, could
see 20 good reason why if the subject
is to be Investigated 1T should not be
done Ey the committee on privileges and
elections, committee that had always
investigated that class of subjects. He
admitted that, perhaps, great proportions
Of the country were beginning to exert
stronger and more dangerous influence
on legislation than formerly.
After some discussion the resolution
was again read, and Mr.. Hale remarked
1t needed further pruning. 1t now ap-
piled to the election of members of the
other House as we'll as of the Senate,
such investigation was clearly outside Of
the power of the Senate. He moved to
amend the resolution by combining it to
the question of the election OF Senators.
Mr.. Hale amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Sewall, Republican OF New Jersey,
moved to amend the resolution by insert
ing after the word corporations, the
words ''of state.'' 1t was re ectcd. Yeas,
20 nays, 49,
Mr.. Hale moved to substitute for "se :
lect committee, the "committee on
privileges and elections Agreed to-.
Yeas, 80; nays, "a. The resolution as
amended was agreed to.