The herald., 1896-01-22
THE f|FTY-F0URTH CONGRESS
A Cuban Question Arises ia the
Senate
SEVENTY MEASURES PASS
The Fee System Criticized By the House
Members
After Much Discus,,ou me Urgent Deficiency
BIZ is Amended and Passed
BY the House
SEVENTY MEASURES PASS
Press Snecial Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-The senate put
aside finance and foreign affairs today and
gave the day to work on comparatively
minor bills on the calendar. About sew
enty bills were passed, clearing the calen-
dar of much accumulation and leaving
only important measures pending.
The Cuban question received brief and
inconclusive attention early in the day.
Mr.. Call, Democrat, OF Florida, read the
following telegram from Key West:
marquis Roderidguez has been taken
from the steamer Olivette last Wednesday.
Louis Samallian and son were also taken
at Havana. All American citizens. Get
them out of the grasp of the Spanish au-
thorities."
Call offered resolution reciting the ar
rest and directing the executive authorities
to ascertain if any Just cause for the ar
rests existed, and if not to demand an inn
mediate release.
Hoar suggested the tone of the resolu-
ton was too imperative. There seemed TO
be an idea, Hoar said, that the senate of
the United States is constantly a loaded
cannon, which can be touched off at any
time by senator. The senator urged an
inquiry by the state department before
demand.
Call answered that he wished to know
whether the American flag afforded any
protection to citizens. he referred to the
arrests of Americans in Cuba. while citi-
zens of other countries were not disturbed.
Sherman pointed out that such a resolu-
ton might give the senate trouble in other
cases. 1t should go to the committee on
foreign relations for appropriate consider
alton.
Call said it was the duty of the senate to
act on such information as this telegram
gave. He desired the people to know he
was ready to act promptly, although he did
not object to committee consideration.
Cullom, Republican of Illinois, of the
committee on foreign relations, stated be
understood there would be communica-
ton from the secretary of state, perhaps
Today, as to arrests of United States citi-
zens in Cuba.
1t was finally agreed that the resolution
should go to the committee on foreign re-
latons.
Call again returned to the Cuban subject
by asking Sherman what was to be done a )
to the pending resolution asking the state
department for information furnished by
United States cousuls in Cuba.
Sherman replied that he regarded the
resolution inexpedient. 1t might endanger
consuls and thousands of lives if coutiden-
tial communications were made public.
Mr.. Pugh's resolutions concerning silver
payments of the governments obligations
were allowed to go over.
Bills were passed for the selection of
lands within Fort Pembina military reser-
vation, North Dakota. by that state; grant
ing q pension of $50 per month TO the
widow of Rear Admiral Eng gish, and the
establishment of rules and regulations for
the navigation of United States canals and
similar works of navigation.
The silver bond bill was laid aside to per-
NIT bills on the calendar to be passed.:
For the collection of fees and furnishing
cartificaraa m vasspls. boriziyo rta ~,
persons to accept decorations from the
Hawaiian government; amending the
statute fixing the time for vessels to
unload: settling the claims of United
States Indian Agent Martin; granting to
the Columbia & Reid Mountain company
right of way through the Colville Indian
reservation, state OF Washington; pension
ing the widow of Major General Carroll at
$75 monthly, and the widow of Lieutenant
Frederick Schwatka, arctic explorer, at
$50 monthly; increasing the pension of
the widow of Lieutenant Dent, sister of
President Grant, from $50 to $50 month
ly; pensioning the widow of Brevet jor
General doubleday at 500 monthly /:
amending the act authorizing the Oregon
~ Washington Bridge company to con-
struct bridge across the Columbia river
between Oregon and the state of Washing
ton; authorizing a bridge over the Missis-
sippi river at St. Louis, between that city
and st. Clair county, Ill.,; authorizing the
construction of a bridge across the Mis-
souri, river at or near Chamberlain. S. D. :;
amending the act of March, 1883, for the
forfeiture of unearned lands: reconvening
the delegates to the international marine
conference of 1889; to protect the wages
of seamen by freeing them from liability
10 attachment, liens, assignments; for
conference with foreign governments
as TO uniformity in census re-
turns; amending the act author
izing the Kansas City, PttsbuEg and Gulf
railroad to construct telegraph and tele-
phone line through the Indian Territory.
Senator Sherman gave notice of amend.
ments to Senstor Pughs concurrent reso-
luton providing for the redemption of
United States bonds in silver cDin. Mr..
Sherman's amendments provide for
the recognition of the law de-
claring the policy of maintain
ing the parity of gold and silver, and re-
Qure the Observance of this principle in
carrying the resolution into effect i'll case
it should pass.
At :55 the senate went into executive
session and at o'clock adjourned until to-
morrow.
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED
The senate in executive session today
confirmed the nomination of Chief En-
gineer George Melville, U. S. ~, to be en-.
gineer-in-chief of the bureau of steam en-
gineering with the rank OF commodore in
The navy department.