The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-18
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

washington, June lU.-Ine senate mas
disposed of the last of the appropria-
ton bills and has designated p. IN. to-
morrow as the time for final adjourn
ment. After being in session throughout
the day night session was determined
on in order to adjust the many minor
differences between the two houses.
A number of bills were passed during
the day, including the important bill Civ
ing trial by jury and other safeguards
in prosecution for contempt of court. The
measure has been vigorously urged by
labor interest, particularly railroad EN-
plOyes. 1t is result of agitation re-
sulting from the Imprisonment of Eu-
gene V. Debs for contempt of an lnJunc-
. ton issued at the time of the Chicago
strike. The bill as passed continues the
power of summary punishment when an
Offense is committed in the immediate
presence of a judge. But in direct con-
tempts, such as violation of an injunc-
ton, the bill provides that the accused
shall be given full hearing with oppor-
tunity to summon witnesses and offer
defense.
An amendment was made by Mr.. Can
non of Utah, giving the accused right of
trial by jury on application. In case of
conviction an appeal is provided to the
supreme court. Senators Hill, Butler
and PETER supported the bill and Mr..
Platt opposed it as revolutionizlng the
judicial system.
Bills were passed establishing code
of signals at sea; to increase the pay of
letter carriers in cities of more than
$1,000 population for the first year of
service to $500: second year. $500: third
year, $1,000 and thereafter $1,000; in
cities of a population of less than 10000
for the first year of service, 5000; second
year. $500; third year and thereafter,
$1,000. The change takes effect June ~
next
successful attempt to bring up the bill
to reorganize the Northern Pacific rail
way.
A partial conference report on the sun
dry civil bill was then presented. but the
measure was returned for further con-
ference, the northwestern senators OPP
posing motion to recede from the items
for public buildings. The contempt of
court bill was then brought up by Mr..
Hill and passed without division.
The bill recently vetoed increasing the
pension of Francis Il. Hoover was then
placed on it's passage over the veto, re-
sulting. yeas &c. nays 8, more than the
necessary two-thirds majority.
A final conference report OH the Dis
trict of Columbia appropriation was then
agreed to. A bill was passed authOriz-
lug the appointment OF naNai poaIu ~
visit Navassa and Swan Islands, West
Indies, with view to securing a site for
a naval coaling station. At this point
Mr.. Allison presented report on the adj
journment resolution offered some days
ago.
Mr.. Stewart Pop.) of Nevada inter-
posed a speech setting forth the failure
of congress- to enact silver legislation.
Mr.. Butler spoke in the same line. The
adjournment resolution was changed as
to make p. m. tomorrow the time for
final adjournment, and as thus amended
was passed. The senate then took re-
cess until $50 tonight.
AT the night session, Mr.. Hale gave
notice of a motion to reconsider the vote
by which the bill increasing the pay of
: letter carriers was passed. The time
was inoppOrtune, he said. for increasing
the government expenditures a million
and half annually or for swelling sala-
ries of any kind.
At II o'clock the vice president signed
the sundry civil appropriation bill pre-
paratory to it's going to the president, and
the senate adjourned until IL o'clock to-
morrow morning.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, June 10.-When the house