The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-12-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
Important Measures Presented and Acted
Upon in Both Houses.

SECOND DAY.
The House proceeded to business to-day
and before the session closed had passed
three bills OF considerable Importance ana
the first for the regular supply bills, that for
pensions.
| Three OF the bills related to postal matters.
Ono provided for the use OF private mailing
cards, when one-cent stamps are affixed.
This goes into etIoct July 1 next. An
other provided far limited indemnity
| OF $40 for the loss OF registered mail mat
ter, and tho third provided for private
carrier service In towns and villages where
no free delivery exists. 1t provides that
on the application of 20 persons receiving
| their mail at the same Office the postmaster
shall appoint such persons rs are willing to
| undertake the collection and delivery OF
mails, the charge not to exceed one cent for
each letter, and that the charge shall be paid
by tho beneiiciares.
The pension bill was passed without fact
ional opposition, but Mr.. Grow. OF Pennsyl-
ynnia took occasion In the debate TO submit
some views In favor of higher tariff duties,
based on that portion of the president mes
! sage relating to the tariff.
The notice Of the opening n Cuban discus
sion was about the only feature OF interest
developed at the brief session Of the senate,
| which lasted only 25 minutes. Senator
Cuilom gave notice Of speech on Cuba next
Thursday. The senators had expected to
| start the wheels OF actual business, but the
appearance OF n house resolution relative to
the death OF ex-Speaker Crisp led TO the Gus
tomary adjournment us mark OF respect
A large number OF bureau reports were
ceived, including that OF the government
directors Of the Pacific railroad.
THIRD DAY.
Two sweeping Cuban resolutions were In
troduced In the Senate this morning one by
Senator Call, OF Florida, declares the indie
pendence OF the insurgents, and another by
Mr.. Mills, Of Texas, directs the President TO
seize the island OF Cuba aud hold II until n
regular Cuban government shal have been
established. Both resolutions were referred
to the Foreign Relations committee. The
Senate by the decisive vote Of 80 to II, adopt
ed motion to take up tho Dingley tariff
silver bill.
FOURTH DAY.
The Senate to-day took up the immigra-
tion bill and rejected by n vote Of 10 70 37a
motion made by Mr.. Gibson, Democrat
Maryland, to postpone II until the first Mon
day in January. The Senate substitute for
the House bill was agreed to. and Mr.. Sew
ell, Republican, New jersey offered an
amendment to exclude all illiternte persons
over IA yenrs. except that an aged or minor
person not able to read or write who is the
missionable immigrant may accompany or
be sent by such immigrant.
Mr.. Vest, Democrat, Missouri, protested
against the application OF the test of illitracy
to women and girls and offered an amend
ment TO that effect.
Mr.. Lodge, Republican. Massachusetts and
Mr.. Chandler, Republican, New Hampshire,
opposed Mr.. Vests amendment as II would
detract from the force of the bill Mr..
Chandler reminded the Senate that tho Ma
tional conventions of both parties hal de-
clared In fnvor of the restriction OF immigra-
tioD. IL he was wrong In that statement no
one was more competent to correct him than
the present occupant Of the chair-Mr. Hill,
Democrat. New York, who was thoroughly
familiar with these platforms
Mr.. Elkins, Republican, West Virginia,
submitted an amendment placing tax OF
$40 on each Immigrant coming into the
United Statcs on other than mn American
ship. without action ON the amendments
the Senate went into executive session and
adjourned until Monday
In the House q. j. Boatner Democrat,
who was unseated Mt the last session and re-
elected from tho Fifth Louisiana district, was
sworn ill., Mr.. Scranton, Republican. Penn
sylvania. called up the bill amending the
law prohibiting the alien ownership of land
In the territories so as to permit aliens to nc
quire possession under foreclosure OF mort
gage and hold the land 10 years. within
NHlNn tuty must uispOst OF ".
The previous question was refused ON the
third reading of the bill, GO to 10.
Tho bill prohibiting the sale OF liquors in
the capitol building was passed by a vote OF
l04 to Z. Several amendments TO the Senate
bill prohibiting pirGtical productions OF mu-
steal and dramatic productions were reject
cd and the bill was passed. Tho bill to make
more stringent the laws regulating the sale
OF liquor in the District OF Columbia was
brought up. Mr.. Powers. Republican; Yer
mont, offered an amendment prohibiting the
sale OF liquor In the district by any person.
his clerk or agent except at his private resi-
dcnce. Lost-1l to CO.
FIFTH DAY.
The Senate was not In session to-day
Secretary Herbert sent to the House the
claim OF the Quntard Iron works. OF New
York, for S09, ,6Gl damages caused by the de-
lay OF the government in constructing the
hull OF the cruiser Maine. He also submitted
similar claims Of William Cramp 4 Sons, OF
Philadelphia.
The resolution extending until the end OF
the session the investigation by the Joint
committee OF the use of free alcohol In the
arts and manufactures was agreed to.
Several private pension bills were passed,
one granting $50 a month to the widow OF
Col. Garrick Mallory. Similar bills occupied
the attention Of tho evening session, and the
House adjourned until Monday.
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