The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-09
Work For Congress,
Some of the Most Important
Bills on the Calendar.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Git is moi
likely that anything will be done ii
eitLer house of congress to morrow
except to exchange congratulations
or coincidence as the case may be,
over the result of the election, and
listen to the Presidents message
When the last session closed, the
house immigration bill had and now
has the right of way in the senate.
It is the unfinished business and will
be called up pro forma at the expira-
tion of the morning hour, 2 O'Clock.
Although known as the house bill in
the calender as reported to the senate
by Mr. Lodge, it is materially diff
ferent mesaure, all of the house pro-
visions having been stricken out ex
cept the enacting clause, and new
bill substituted. This bill will be
called up on Tuesday by Senators
Lodge and Chandler, who desire to
push it to vote as quickly as pos
siDle.
AS the bill came from the house,
it provided not only for the exclusion
of immigrants who could not fill the
educational test; but went at some
length into the regulation of alien
contract labor. MIR. Lodges substi-
tute provides for what is known as
the educational test, and excludes all
persons over ID years of age who
cannot read and write the language
of their native country, or some
other language, except that an aged
person not so able who is parent or
grandparent of an admissible immi
grant may accompany or be sent by
such immigrant. Failure to comply
with the test means deportation to
The. country whence the immigrant
came, at the expense of the steam
ship company carrying them.
An effort will be made to secure
new dates for the consideration of
special orders that were not reached
during the last session. These meas
ures now coming under this preferred
head are ssnate bill fl02 to prevent
the desecration of the American hag:
house bill 32O6 TO amend the act to
prevent the determination of fur
bearing animals of Alaska; house
bill S7S to reduce the cases in which
the penalty of death may be inflicted
tand senate joint resolution an amend
ment to the Constitution provided
for the election Of senators by popu
lar vote.
An important local bill over which
there has developed bitter fight is
the Detroit bridge bill for bridge
across the Detroit river. 1t was
postponed at the last session unit! the
first Monday in December. In addi-
4ion 20 the appropriations bills there
are several measures that will con.
tend with each other for the right of
way. Prominent among these are
the bills 10 refund the Pacific railroad
debt /; to admit the territories Of New
Mexico and Arizona (; authorizing
the secretary of the navy to enlist
additional men, now pending in the
senate on motion TO reconsider the
vote by which it was passed Mr.
Davis resolution relative 10 the as
sertion and enforcement of the Mon
roe doctrine bill to facilitate the
construction Of cable between this
country and Hawaii providing for
a UNIFORM classification and grading of
agricultural products; and one pro
viding for the reorganization of the
consular aud diplomatic service.
In the house of representatives
there will be the swearing in of two
anew members to first engage the at
tention of Speaker Reed and the
kouse-Messrs. Batner, of Louisiana,
and Stokes, of South Carolina These
gentlemen enjoy the very unusual
distinction of having twice received
certificates of election to one con.
gress. At tie last session, their
seats were declared vacant, but the
contestants did not succeed In es.
tablishing their rights thereto, and
new elections were ordered to fill
the vacancies Since congress ad
journed another vacancy has occur
red-that occasioned by the death of
ex-Speaker Crisp. His son, who was
his fathers clerk, mas been nominated
to fill the unezpired term, but the
election will not be heId until the
10th lust.
The death Of the late ex-Speaker
Crisp will probably be announced by
one Of his former colleagues, and
after the reading of the Presidents
message, the house will adjourn in
MS honor
Mr. Blue. chairman Of the sub
committee of the committee on ap-
nrorriations at suitable opportunl-