The Globe-republican., 1896-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL

I CONGRESSIONAL
Jan. 20 Two opposing phases of the Monroe
doctrine were presented to tho Scnate-ons
from the committee on foreign relations
favOring strong rcaifirmatiOn OF tho
doctrine, and another from Mr.. Sewell OF New
Jersey, urging that the doctrine had been car
ried so far beyond its scope to threaten dan
gerous consequences. Ar. Davis. OF Mime.
sofa, presented the committee report. as he
is the author of the resolution cmbOdying the
essential feature of all previous resolutions. 1t
was referred to the calendar. The silver bond
bill was laid aside temporarily, as no senator
was ready to speak Mr. Plat and Mr.. Hale
pointed out the delay of the measure and Mr..
Plat asked that a day be set for vote. Mr..
Jones of Arkansas, in charge ct the measure.
declined to fix time, as several senators were
still to be heard Mr. PETERS bill concerning
congressional funerals was dis :ussed and rs-
ferred to the committee on rules. with view to
formulating general rule on funerals,
:, The session Of the House was devoid Of pub
lie interest Quite number OF bills OF minor
AMI purely local Importance were passed, in
cluding seven to donate condemned cannon to
The First regiment Of N"-tll Carolina; city OF
do. kan:: Shaw post: Leavenworth: Kan;
Stone River post, Sedan, Kan /; L. A. Clark
post; Ridge Farm. Ill Lincoln post Hope Val
ley. r. l.. and the city of Newtoa. X. ].
Jan 2l.-The senate put aside finance and
foreign affairs, and gave the day to work ON
comparative minor bills ON the calendar. About
seventy bills were passed, clearing the
calendar Of much accumulation and leaving
only the important measures pending.
The following bill. were passed,
among Others: Pcnsionin; the widow
of Major General Carroll at $'5 monthly and
the widow of Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka,
Arctic explorer, at SO monthly. increasing the
pension of the widow of Colonel Frederick
Dean. sister of President Grant, from $50 to $50
monthly pensiOning the widow of Brevet Major
General Doubleday at 500 monthly; authoriz-
ing Il bridge over the Mississippi river at St
Louis between that city and st. Clair county,
Illinois.
The House passed the urgent deficiency bill
The bill carried $41l5,G22 S., SO! was for the
expense of United States courts. The abnormal
growth of the expense under the fees system
came in for a good deal of criticism aud thers
was gen .ral expression in favor of salary
system.
Jan 1.-The Senate session was marked by
notable speeches and notable debates. Late
in the afternoon controversy occurred be-
tween Mr.. Sherman, Mr. German, Mr.. Teller
and Others. which lei to the most spirited
financial debate that has occurred since tho
present Congress convened. Mr. Sherman spoke
ut length and with great carncstcess, deprecat.
ing the thrusting of an "Old wornOut issue
the silver qucstion-intO the Senate at time
when practical legislation was imperative.
Mr.. Teller and Mr.. German answered MIR.
Sherman from their respective standpOints,
while Mr.. Aldrich, Mr.. Lindsay, Mr.. Gray AMI
Others took part in the exciting debate
Mr.. WOlcOtt's speech criticizinS the Pres
idents attitude tn, Venezuela question
was the notable event of the early part of the
day. For an hour the senator commanded the
attention of Il crowded chamber and overflow
ing galleries. Two important reports were
made by the committee on foreign affairs. one
&I4 e
affairs in Turkey and urging prompt action by
the civilized powers. and adverse report
on Mr.. Calls resolution calling for the official
dispatches OF Uuited States censuls in Cuba
In the absence of any regular business in the
House. the session was devoted to the consider
alton of minor matters and legislation by unan-
imOus consent. The House adopted the report
of the elections committee in favor of Harry
Minor of New York in contest brought for his
seat by Timothy J. Campbell.
Jan. :5.-The three subjects most prominent
ly before the public the Monroe doctrine,
finance and tariff. and each came on for con-
sideration in the Senate. Mr.. Daniel Of Virginia
speaking for two hours in support of vigor-
Gus upholdng of the Mon Oe doctrine appli-
cable to Venezuela; Mr.. Dubois of Idaho deal.
ing with the silver phase of tb,
financial question, aud Mr.. Warren
of Wyoming pointing out the disas-
trous effects of the tariff legislation OF
thu last Congress on farm products
in general and OH wool particular. The
President submitted the report of the Sccre-
tary of state con: crning the treatment of AMIR
lean citizens in Turkey. Mr.. Jones of Arkansas
sought To- secure unanimous consent for n vote
on the pending bond silver bill mex. Thursday,
but at the request OF Senators withdrew his
quest until tomorrow, when he will again seek
to fix Il time for closing the prOtracted debate
on the bond silver measure.
The House resumed cons tIera ton of tho rulpS
and disposed of thelast amendment o cred by
the committee. There substituted for the
quorum rule of the Fifty-first Congress the
method of compelling the attendance of quo
rum proposed in the Forty-sixth Congress by J.
Randolph Tucker. wit , some notifications.
The Tucker rule is to bring members to the bar
of the House and count them. instead of follow.
ing the Reed plan of having the speaker count
IL quorum.
Jan. 24.-After a brief and stirring debate
the Senate agreed to the concurrent resolution
urging decisive action bv the European powers
against Turkey. and pledging to the President
the support of Congress in the most vigorous
action h may take for the protection of Amer
leans in Turkey and the redress for injuries to
American persons and property. Mr. CullOm
of Illinois. who reported the resolution,
urged its adoption in speech which set
forth tn, startling cxtcnt of the massa-
ores, the greatest in the history of
Louisiana spoke in the same line. The climax
of the debate reached when Mr.. Frye of
Maine supported the resolution In q speech
which aroused great enthusiasm from the gal
lcries for it, expressions OF sympathy with the
Armsnians and for its bitter arraignment of
Great Britain's course toward Am)ri,a. The
free coinage amendment to the bond bill was
then laid before the Senate and Mr.. Baker. Re-
publican. Of Kansas addressed the Senate in
support ut an amendment of cred by him tOcon-
fine the coinage of silver to the American pro.
duct. MI. Baker divided the money ranks into
gold nono-metallists silver monO-metallists and
metailists. He belonged he said. to the last
class, and declared it to be his opinion that
the questions of tariff and finance would DO
settled unaidcd and alone by the Republican
party. Concern;n, the coinage of American
silver, the senator said it would give employ
ment to idle labOrers and would lead to the
general healthful expansion Of our primary or
redemption money The Senate. after brief
executive session, at IL p m. adjourned until
Monday