The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-10
SEALS BEFORE THE SENATE.
SENATOR MORGAN DELIVERS HIS
SPEECH ON THE CLAIMS.

The Senator Particularly Severe on
Ambassador PauncefOte for Conn
menting ON the Action of Congress.
The Resolution Referring 20 the
Committee on Foreign Relations
the Presidents Special Message
Agreed To.
Washington. Dec. 9.-The Senate was
addressed to-day by Mr.. Morgan. chair
man of the committee on foreign rela-
tions, and formerly a member of the
Bering Sea Paris tribunal in support of
his resolution, offered on Dec. 3. referring
to the committee on foreign relations the
Presidents special message of Feb. 49,
1898, and his recent message. relating 10
the payment by the United States of the
claims of Great Britain arising out OF the
Bering Sea controversy, with instruc-
tions to examine into the question OF
liability on the part Of the United States
and Of the liability on the part Of Great
Britain or Canada. Mr. Morgan. who
read his speech from printed slips was
very severe upon the British ambassa-
dor, Sir Julian Pauncefote. characterizing
as Offensive" the ambassador S comments
upon the action of congress in refusing an
appropriation to pay the indemnity for
losses of British subjects owing 70 the
seizure of "sealers," and asserting, as to
many "sealers," that they were the actual
property in whole, or In part OF Ameri-
can citizens, who had no such claim
upon their own government The British
ambassador, Mr.. Morgan stated with en-
phasis, had no right to question members
of congress for words spoken in debate;
and his doing so, in diplomatic papers
which he handed over 10 the American
press for publication, was an act OF In
At one point Of the speech, he INDUCED
in touch Of sarcasm at the expense of
Sir Julian Pauncefote, who had he said,
buried him under his ponderous logic"
and of the Earl of Salisbury, who had
'eXhumed him for such use as might be
found most convenient" Mr. Morgan oc-
cupied two hours in the delivery of his
agreed to.
The two first bills of this congress were
passed to-day-one of them to allow to the
superior court of Pennsylvania the use
Of the United States court houses at
scranton and Williamsport; and the other
making an appropriation OF 100000 for a
survey and plans of improvements at the
entrance Of Biscayne Bay, Fla.
Senators Hill of New York and Caffery
Of Louisiana made their first appearance
at this session In the Senate chamber to-
day, and the latter took the oath Of Of
nee under his election for the fun term,
beginning March 4, 1895.
Mr.. Cullom gave notice that he would
address the Senate tomorrow on the sub
| ject of the Monroe doctrine.
Mr.. Berry Of Arkansas introduced a bill
/ to form the Indian territory into the ter
| ritory Of lndianola- and gave notice that
| he would hereafter address the Senate on
| the subject
Among the numerous pension bills in
| troduced and referred was one by Mr.
| voorhees,, TO pay a pension of 500 a month
70 the widow of the late Secretary Of State
| Gresham.
| copies OF all correspondence in the state
| department on the subject of the trial and
imprisonment Of John l.. Waller by the
| French authorities at MADAGASCAR was in
troduced by Mr.. Baker, rep, Of Kansas,
| and was agreed to.
Mr.. Hale offered a resolution instructinR
| the judiciary committee to inquire and
| ascertain what is the existing law in the
| district of Columbia In relation to the Gus
| tody of minor children and especially
| whether the father of any minor children
! may dispose OF their custody after his
! death, by the provisions OF his last will
| and testament The resolution has refer
once to the case Of the Slack children, now
pending in one of the district courts, in
/ which the motehr seeks to regain possess
| sion OF her children. now withheld from
| her by virtue of their fathers Will Mr.
| Hale said that he wanted to know whether
| any such relic Of barbaric law existed here
Mr.. Harris suggested the committee on
| the District of Columbia as the proper
| committee to which the resolution should
| be referred Mr.. Hale expressed his will
/ ingness to have the change Of reference
| made.
Mr.. Vest argued against the making
| of any report while the subject was pend
ing in a court of justice.
| Mr. Pugh objected to the resolution be-
| ing referred to any committee
! Mr. Hale said that If the law stands as
It Is set out in the presentation of the
the committee should report a new law
on the subject.
The resolution was finally referred to
tho 1farv NIT tfeax.
| bia-
Among the bills introduced wrere these:
BY Mr.. Quay-To establish postal. saw
! ings banks. II provides for deposits Of
from 10 cents to Si0 at all money order
postofhces, and for interest on deposits
| which do not exceed $500.
BY Mr.. Kyle, pop, OF South Dakota
! Providing for the erection of public build
| ings costing not less than 5000, or more
than $4,000. in all towns with a popu-
lation Of 1900 or more provided suita-
bic site is donated by the people. II also
| provides for the issuance Of treasury
notes, not 70 exceed in the aggregate 800
| ings
Among the public buildings bills intro
| duced were the following:
BY Mr.. Call-Appropriating 500 900 for
| a building at Ocala, Fla. Also appropri-
| ating $4,000 for q lighthouse steamer
for use on the Gulf coast Of Florida.
at st. Joseph Bay and St. Andrews Bay.
/ Fla. Also placing the river and harbor
/ improvements OF GenbacOld, feFnandlna,
| Key West, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Har-
! Dor and st. Johns river under the contract
/ system, and appropriating $4,000 for va
! rious other river and harbor improve
ments in Florida. Also granting Ameri-
/ can register to the foreign built barks
Minde and John Ludwig, owned by citi-
/ zens Of Florida.
BY Mr.. Cameron-Authorzing the sale
| of st. Francis Barracks at St. Augustine
! Fla, and the purchase OF a site of nine
| acres between Maria Sanchez creek and
/ Matanzas river. at a cost not to exceed
| $50 0O0 and the erection thereon of the
necessary buildings for a military post
/ Also authorizing the exchange Of the
/ "Old Custom House lot" St Augustine
| Fla. for the Powder House lot"
After brief executive session the SEN
/ ate adjourned until tomorrow.
SESSION OF THE HOUSE.