Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-02
OUR LAWMAKERS AT WORK.

as. delivered a forclOle speech Oh tht CUBAN
question during which he denounced Gen.
Weyler as an "atroclous scoundrel ana villain"
and recalled the bloody history OF Spun and
her colonies In both the old and the new world.
Mr.. Mills said the United states had stood by
US q taller and prevented Cuba from going TO
France or England And. ii we insisted on
keeping Cuba IN the possession OF spain, was
IL not tho moral obligation OF the United States
to see that Spain gave Cuba fair government,
TO see that the nell OF Spanish despotism was
lifted from the Cuban people 'fhe day will
come when the American conscience Will be
aroused to its guilt in permitting oppression OF
Cuba and when that consciousness comes the
American people will MI TINS chamber with
Senators who will stop that oppression Mr..
Morgan, or Alabama, also spoke briefly in fur
Their support OF the Cuban resolutions. Mr..
Mills resolutions went 10 the caen-
dar The rest OF the day was given
10 legislative appropriation oills. Sena-
tor Hills bill TO remove the restrictions
against the appointment, as officers OF the army
or navy, OF persons who held commissions in
the regular army before the rebellion, and who
subsequently, took in the war on the side OF the
confederacy, which passed the Senate during
The night OF excitement over the venezuela
boundary question, passed the House alter two
hours debate with but one dissenting vote, that
Of Mr.. Boutelle, OF Maine. The bill previously
considered 10 abolish the death penalty in GER
tam cases was passed. Bills also were passed
10 make the sale OF spirituous liquors under a
false brand punishable by tne and imprs-
onment; To. turn over the property Of the
Mormon church now in the hands of
receiver 10 the trustees, and sew
eral others OF minor Importance. Rep.
Hepburn, OF Iowa. introduced btl pro-
vldlng for commission Of five engineers TO re-
port upon the best practicable route Tor a ship
canal having - feet depth, connecting the
Great lakes with the Atlantic ocean Forty
thousand dollars are to be appropriated for the
expenses OF the commission
SENATE. Eighty-sixth day.-The first re-
ference TO the adjournment OF congress came
in the Senate in formal resolution offered by
Mr. Plat proposing an adjournment on May g.
The adoption OF the resolution allowing ex-
President Harrison TO receive decorations from
Spain and Brazil was postponed by an objec-
ton from Mr. Allen Most OF the day was
spent on the legislative appropriation bill
which Is not yet completed: The paragraphs
substituting salaries for fees for United
States district attorneys and marshals
were agreed To after a lengthy discussion.
Mr. Gallinger, Rep. N. H.. proposed an amend
ment TO the constitution to be known as article
XVI, providing that neither Congress nor any
state shall pass any law respecting ana eStab-
lishment or religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof. use the credit OF the United
States or any state or any money raised by
taxation for the purpose OF founding, main
tanning or aiding any church, religious denom-
ination, religious society. or any institution.
society or undertaking which is wholly or in
part under sectarlan ecclesiastical control.
HoUsE-The House took up the naval appro-
priation bill and despite several diverting In
cidents made such rapid progress with 1t that
when the adjournment had been reached all
the paragraphs had been passed, save those
relating to the increase OF the navy.
SENATE-Eighty-s day-Most OF the
day was spent on the legislative appropriation
bill, but it was not co npleted owing to Mr.
Sherman's motion to strike out the proposition
for the change from fees TO salaries for L. =.
district attorneys ana marshals. The subject
was debated at length. The JOINT resolution
was passed providing for a commission for the
preliminary survey for the construction OF
ship canal OF approved width and depth. from
the lower shore OF Lake Michigan to the
Wabash river The Joint resolution was passed
allowing ex-Presdent Harrison to accept dec
orations from Brazil and Spain. Mr., White
reported favorably from the committee on ter
rltorieS the bill admitting Arizona 10 state
hood. Mr.. Perkins from the committee on
education and labor, presented favorable re-
port on the OH authorizing the appointment or
"a non partisan commission on labor. agricul-
ture and capital Mr. Alien introduced a reso-
luton declaring that Congress should not
ad ourn without restoring the free coinage OF
silver and taking from the secretary
of the treasury the power 10 issue bonds.
HoUsE-The naval appropriation bill was
passed without substantial amendment An
effort was made ~ the advocates OF larger
increase OF the navy than was authorized by
the bill to increase the number OF batteships
from four to six. but they were voted down.
Various other appointments were offered but
all failed. The bill as passed carries >31,61l,-
u34 and authorizes the construction Of four
DattleshlpS and i torpedo boats, the total cost
OF which Will be IN the neighborh0Od OF $4,000
0l0. CONFERENCE. -rhe Senate and House
conferees on the Cuban resolutions, after three
resolutions This was found necessary II
cut OF debate In the Senate where IL was
understood that the opponents OF the measure
would talk IL 10 death. 1t only remains now
for the House 10 agree to the conference report.
SENATE.-Eighty-e day The legisla-
tive appropriation bill carrying S2l,50,)o0 was
passed. Aside from providing the usual APP
preparations, the bill Is important in enecting
u reform or the system OF compensation for
United States district attorneys and marshals.
salaries being substituted iOr fees. HOUSE
The appropriations committee attempted TO
take up the sundrv civil Appropriation bill
but the members who were Interested IN bills
on the private calendar defeated them and the
latter bills occupied he day without much leg
islaiion of general importance
SENATE. - Eighty-ninth day - Mr.. Hoar,
OF the committee on judiciary made an effort
to pass the House bill aboishing capital pun
ishment in certain cases but after brief discuss
sion the bill went over. The calendar was
taken up and few unimportant bills were
passed. Mr.. PETERS resolution for the APP
pointment OF a special committee OF five sena-
tors 10 investigate recent bond issues had
been relegated 20 the calendar owing TO the
oppos ton of Mr.. Hill. but II was reached in
the regular order Again Mr. Hin sought to
have the resolution go over. but he was met by
energetic protests not only from Mt Pener. but
also from Mr.. Wolcott and Mr. Tciier and the
financial and bond discussion will be revived.
HoUSE-The Senate resolution authorizing ex-
President Harrison to accept certain medals
presented to him by the governments OF Brazil
and spain was adopted and then the House
went into committee of the whole. taking up
the sundry civil bill and dtsposlng OF 10 OF the
100 pages. Mr.. Smith, OF Michigan. introduced
in the House a Joint resolution providing for
the appointment OF a mixed reciprocity COM
mission OF i've members not more than three
OF whom should be OF any political party. The
resolution provides that the commission shall
meet in Washington and devote It's time to
originating and perfecting trade treaties with
European powers and governments OF the
OF the western hemisphere for submission to
the President.