The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-04-23
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
COnde nsed Record of the Doings of the
Nations Lawmakers Senate.


ate today Call stated that inquiries
had been made of him by Eugene v.
Debs, and other labor leaders, as to
whether the senate judiciary commit
tee was taking any action in restric-
ton of the power of federal judges.
Hoar. chairman of the judiciary com
mittee, said all the members believed
some comprehensive legislation in this
line was needed, and several plans
were under consideration. Mitchell, of
Oregon, reported a resolution provid-
ing for the payment of the salaries of
SenStors Mantle, of Montana, and
Clark, of Wyoming, from March 4,
1898, the date when the senatorial
seats of those states became vacant
Call presented resolution concerning
the imprisonment of Mrs. Maybrick,
requesting the president to intervene
with the British authorities towards
securing her release. After consider.
able debate the resolution went to the
judiciary committee.
Washington. April 15.-In the sem
ate Hoar, from the committee on judic-
larry, reported back Calls resolution,
proposing Intervention IN the case Of
Mrs May brick. Il ask indefinite post
ponement of the resolution" said
Hoar. The report was read, and it re-
cited briefly that the proposed inter.
vention was not subject within the
jurisdiction of the senate A vote was
about to be taken on indefinitely post.
poning Calls resolution when Allen
suggested that it would be we'll to wait
until the author of the resolution was
present. Thereupon the resolution
went to the calendar. A lengthy dis.
cussion took place over awarding the
contract for the Patent Office Gazette.
Cullom presented a partial agreement
from the conference committee on leg.
islative, executive and judicial appro-
priation bills. Teller and Mitchell
presented the majority and the minor
ity views on the bankruptcy bill. Bur-
rows was then recognized in support of
the claim of Dupont to seat in the
senate.
Washington, April Lett was made
apparent, after lively colloquy in the
senate today, that there was no DISPOSE
tiion among the silver and populist
senators to allow the resolution for a
senate inquiry into the recent bond is
sues to relapse. By unanimous con-
sent it had been set for consideration
at 2:15 today, but at that time Mr..
Chandler was proceeding with a
speech on the Dupont case, Mr.. Gray
was waiting to follow, and Mr.. Gull
lom had an appropriation bill in re.
serve. This precipitated a clash, in
which Mr.. PETER, reinforced by Mr..
Wolcott and Mr.. Stewart, asserted
With emphasis that the bond resolution
could not be crowded out, either by
design or inadvertence. An agreement
was finally reached to the effect that
the bond resolutions would come up
Immediately after Chandler and Gray
concluded their speeches. Mr.. Squire
made an elaborate presentation of the
pressing need of coast defenses, point
ing out the defenseless condition of
our great seacoast harbOrs.
House.
Washington, April 13.-Hainer re-
ported the fortifcation appropriation
bill. The bill provides for fortifica-
lions and other works of defense, for
their armament and for heavy ordnance
for trial service for the fiscal year
which begins next July. 1t recon-
mends specific appropriations amount
ing to $5,S42, 900, and in addition
authority is given the secretary of war
to make contracts for the further ex-
penditure of $5,542, 900 by the en-
gineer and ordnance departments, MAX
ing the total authorized expenditure
$11,384,OOO. The war department
estimates, on which the bill is based,
amounted to $8,047,O00.
Washington, April 15.-The house
spent the day transacting business re-
lating to the District of Columbia.
Several bills were passed. 1t was the
intention of Bartlett to call up today
his bill to authorize racing in the Dis
trict of Columbia, but he was given no
opportunity to do so. 1t is said he will
ask unanimous consent for the consid.
GRAFTON of the tomorrow. Some pre-.
liminary routine business was trans.
acted. A bill was passed to pay the
heirs Of John Reuben, late United
States attorney for the middle district
of Tennessee, $295, being the balance
of compensation due him. The house
then proceeded with the consideration
of the district business After passing
a number of district bills, the quorum
failed, and, at 4:30, the house ad-
iourned.
Washington, April 16.-The house
today passed, without amendment, the
Notifications appropriation bill. carry
ing appropriations and authorizations
involving an expenditure of $11,384,.
613. The appropriations for fortifica-
tions since the Endicott commission, in
1886, reported its plan for the defense
of twenty seven seaports, at an approx
innate cost of 500, 900, 900, have aver
aged something over $4,000, 900 an
nually. During the debate today there
were a number of references to our
foreign complications and the necessity
of preparing for any possible emer-
gency. Only one voice was raised
against the passage of the bill. Mr..
Berry thought it would be wisdom to
build ships capable of coping with the
most powerful battle-ships of other ma
tions, rather than erect Notifications
on our seacoasts.
Will Report Favorably.