Birmingham state herald., 1896-05-30
100000, no less binding than it's bonds for that sum.
 GROVER CLEVELAND. Executive Mansion, May 29, 1896.
The Senate.


 passed without amendment two measures of legislation that had their origin in the house, and they now only need the sigma ture of the president to become laws. The first was the bill to repeal that section of the existing tariff law which provides for a rebate Of the tax paid on alcohol used in the arts and in medical preparations. In the discussion it was stated that the treasury department had not been able to establish rules and regulations to carry out the section; that rebates had not been paid, and that, consequently, claims for restitution are being piled up in the treasury to the amount of $10,000000 a year. The b.ll as passed also provided for commission to consider the whole question.
 The second blu passed by the senate al- so had reference to the tax on spirits, but its provisions simply were to include pears, pineapples, oranges, apricots, ber- ries and prunes in the list of fruits from which brandy may be distilled under ex- isting regulations. The present law em- braces only apples, peaches and grapes.
 The conference report on the Indian ap propriati ton bill was discussed for over two hours, but no result was reached, and the matter went over till Monday. The only point of the report debated was the provision embodied in imposing citi- zensh'p on the Indians of the five civil ized tribes. The question as to the edu- cation of Indian children in contract schools was not at issue, that being point on which no agreement was arrived at in conference.
 A private pension bill was returned to the senate by the president without his approval on the ground not that the beneficiary dhe soldiers mother was not deserving of the pension, but that the soldier was described as a private in the Seventh New Hampshire infantry, whereas he had not served In that regf- ment at all, but in the first heavy artil- lery of New Hampshire.
 The bill and veto message were re- ferred to the committee on pensions.
 The prohibitory bond bill was taken up as the unfinished business, and its author, MT. Butler, populist, of North Carolina, made an argument in support of it. An agreement was made that a final vote shall be taken upon it before the adjournment on Tuesday. MT. But Ter had not concluded his speech when, at D. m., the senate proceeded to exec utive business and shortly after adjourn ed until Monday.
 Mir. Morgan introduced bill declaring any agreement or conspiracy of two or more persons, one or more of whom IS an officer, agent or stockholder of a na- tional bank, to bring about any restric- ton of the current circulation or to re- fuse payment to depositors in lawful money a felony punishable by fine and imprisonment The bill was read twice and laid on the table for the present
 The House.
 The contested election case of John ston, republican,, vs. Stokes, democrat, from the Seventh district of South Caro- lima, which had been under debate in the house three days reached vote this afternoon, but was not finally disposed of owing to the dilatory tactics of the ad- vocates of the contestants claim to the seat, his right to it being approved by minority of committee on elections No. 8, which considered the case. By vote of 105 to 95 the house refused to substi- ute the resolutions reported by the mi nority declaring Johnston elected and entitled to the seat, and Stokes not elect ed and not entitled to the seat, for those of the majority to the direct contrary effect.
 On the resolution of the majority de- claring Johnston not elected the vote was yeas 103, nays 99, and in order to postpone further action until there was a large attendance the friends of John ston resorted to flibustering tactics and so exhausted the session.
 The presentation of the conference re- port on the naval appropriation bill by Mr. Boutelle put an end to the filibuster- ing, but it effected the same result, shelving the election case until next week.
 The conference report was agreed to and a further conference ordered on the items still in dispute
 President Cleveland's veto of the river and harbor bill was read and referred to the committee on rivers and harbors.
 MT Hermann, republican, of oregon, stated that he hoped the committee would make a report thereon not later than Tuesday next. By that time it Is hoped to have in attendance sufficient number of friends of the measure to pass it over the veto. The report of the com mittee will probably not be made until the managers of the bill are satisfied that it can be so passed.
 At 5:1O o'clock, under the rules, the house took a recess until o'clock, the evening session for the consideration of private pension bils At the expiration of that session 00:30 o'clock) the house will adjourn until Monday.
 Action by the Republican Caucus.
 Washington, May 29.-Thes only posi- tive action taken by the republican sena- torial caucus this morning was vote by which 1t was decided that the bill to refund the debts of bond-aided Pacific railroads should be postponed until the next session The steering committee presented the order of business that was agreed to, and will be suggested to demo- crats as business that should be trans acted if intervals between the consider ation of conference reports on appropri- ation bills permit. These measures, in the order named, as as follows: The filled cheese bill; repeal of the free alco- hol clause of the Wilson act; fruit brandy bill and immigration bill. While this order of business has been agreed upon, it is not seriously thought that the immi-
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