The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-12-25
Congressional Proceedings.

MONDAY, December 16-In the senate
petition for one.ceut letter postage was pre-
sented by Mr.. Cullom of Illinois A bill
was introduced by Mr.. Galiuger of New
Hampshire, excluding aliens from public
employment, and one by Mr. Hawley of
Connecticut, to protect the public forest
reservations. - In the house, Delegate
Flynn OF Oklahoma offered resolution
calling on the secretary of the interior for
information as to why the opening of the
reservation of the Wichita and affiliated
bands in Oklahoma had been delayed, md
as to whether or not any of Secretary
Smiths relatives have any interest in de-
laying the opening.
DISQUALIFICATION Clevelands mes
sage to Congress regarding the controversy
between Great Britain and Venezuela was
read to the senate and house. All other
business was forgotten. The message was
| loudly cheered in both houses, and an adj
journment was at once made. Further
reference to this famous message is made in
the editorial columns on page three.
WEDNESDAY. - Mr.. Chandler of New
Hampshire introduced bill in the senate
which provides that the president be and he
| is hereby authorized and directed to
strengthen the military armament by adj
ding thereto equipped for use 900 900 in
fantry rifles, 1000 guns for field artillery
and not exceeding 5000 heavy guns for for
tiications, to be procured by manufacture
in the arsenals or by contract for manufac-
ture, or by direct purchase in this country,
or elsewhere, according to the discretion of
the president. The sum of 800 100000 is
appropriated to carry into effect the pro-
visions of this act. - In the house, Mr..
Grout of Vermont introduced similar bill.
Mr.. Davis of Minnesota offered a resolution
which was agreed to, calling on the presi-
dent for all diplomatic correspondence and
other information respecting the establish
ment of post routes by Great Britain or the
Dominion of Canada over or upon United
States territory in Alaska; also respecting
the occupation or attempted occupation by
any other means OF any portion of hat ter
ritory by the military or civil author ities of
Great Britain or Canada; also respecting
any other attempt by Great Britain or Cam
ada to assert any claim to the territory of
the United States in Alaska. The house
passed a resolution providing for the holt
day recess from Friday, December 20, to
Friday, January 3.
THURsDAY.-In the senate the bill intro
duced in the house on Wednesday appro-
priating 100000 for the expenses of a pro-
posed commission to Venezuela was taken
up and an attempt was made to pass it at
once, Mr.: Sherman of Ohio applauded the
president for his message, but thought the
senate should proceed cautiously in the
matter The bill as passed by the house
should be amended, defined and limited.
He endorsed the Monroe doctrine, but its
application to the specific case was mat
world. He favored reference to a commit
tee. Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts thought
that congress ought not to adjourn for the
holidays until the bill was disposed of. He
declared that the statements OF the English
press that the whole affair was an election
eering dodge is absolutely false. " We are
standing together as one man without re-
gard to politics." he declared He urged
the amendments requiring the commission
to report on or before April /, 1896. The
senate went into executive session before
the matter was settled. - The house
was not in session.
FRIDAY.-The Venezuelan bill that lhas
passed the house was taken up in the sem
ate. 1t was debated for three hours by Mr..
Platt of Connecticut, Mr.. Sherman Of Ohio,
Mr.. Mills of Texas, Mr.. Lodge of Massachu-
sets and Mr.. Turpie of Indiana. The gen.
eral sentiment seemed to be in favor OF q
confirmation of the commission provided
for in the bill, that the world might know
that congress endorses the presidents
action and is in accord with him The bill
was finally passed as it came from the
house. - The house was in session only
twenty minutes and transacted no business
of Importance. Neither branch Of congress
adjourned for the holiday recess as was ex-
pected.