Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-06-08
FIFIY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, June s.
GENATE

WASHINGTON, June s.
SENATE.
A message from the House announced
the passage of the new deficiency bill
and made requests for further confer
ences on the Indian, postoffice, District
of Columbia, naval and sundry civil
appropriation bills.
The new deficiency bill was laid be-
fore the Senate and further conference
was ordered on the appropriation bills.
Mr.. Wolcott offered resolution in
structing the committee on the library
to inquire into all the facts and circum-
stances connected with the late award
of a contract for the erection at Wash
ington of an equestrian statue OF Gen.
VIM. T. Sherman, and requesting the
Secretary of War to suspend the execu-
ton of the contract until report is re-
ceived by the Senate at the next ses-
sion. He asked for its immediate con.
sideration.
Mr.. Allison objected to its immediate
consideration, and asked that the reso-
luton go over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Wolcott expressed strong desire
to have action taken at the present ses-
sion, and asked Mr.. Allison whether
there would be a legislative day in the
Senate to morrow.
Mr.. Allison answered with smile
that it would be impossible for him to
say but he supposed there would be.
The resolution went over until to-
morrow and the clerk proceeded with
the reading of the new deficiency bill.
Mr.. Harris moved to amend the bill
by Incorporating in it the DEGREES OF
the court of claims under the Bowman
act, aggregating about half a million
dollars.
Mr.. Hale, in charge of the bill, made
a point of order against the amend
ment. These claims were not. he said,
technically judgments; they had not
been audited; and they had not been
estimated for.
Mr.. Vest said that points of order in
the Senate were "nebulous." The
Senate always did what it wanted to do;
and if the rules were insthe way they
were "wiped out of the way" These
Bowman claims he declared to be the
claims of the highest equitable char
acter.
After further discussion the Vice
President submitted the question to the
Senate; and the point of order was sus-
tanned, thus excluding the amendment.
The deficiency bill was then passed
without amendment.
Mr.. Daniel introduced, and the Senate
passed, bill appropriating SOS, 1850, to
pay the Richmond Locomotive and
Machine Works for damage and losses
incurred in the construction of the
armed battleship Texas.
At 2 p. 10. the immigration bill was
taken up and Mr.. Morgan offered an
amendment providing that the bill
shall not apply to persons coming from
Cube; and addressed the Senate in sup
port of it-saying that these Cubans
came to this country in order to escape
from the prosecutions of Spain to live
under free institutions.
house.
The House reassembled at 10 o'clock
in continuation of Saturdays session,
about so members then being present.
Mr.. Sherman presented a report from
the committee on Indian affairs recon-
mending that resolution of inquiry
accompanying it be passed. 1t called
upon the Secretary of the Treasury to
inform the House what, if any, steps
had been taken uuder the provisions of
the Indian bill for the current year, to
collect from West Virginia the amount
due upon the proportion of certain In
dian bonds it assumed to pay when set
off from old Virginia. The vote on
agreeing to the report showed 70 men,
bers present, whereupon Mr.. KEN
made the point of no quorum and
call of the House was ordered, the first
call of the session except at a Friday
night meeting. One hundred and sixty
eight members responded before the
roll call was completed-not quite q
quorum.
Requests being made for leave of alb
sence for several members, Mr.. KEN
objected to granting them by unani-
nous Consent, and they were excused
by vote. Mr.. KEN at the first vote
made the point of no quorum.
The Speaker, with an air of weari
ness, remarked that he 'had hoped
that the gentleman would learn that in
call of the House no quorum was re-
quired. Laughter)
Mr.. Dingley proposed resolution
revoking all leaves of absence except
such as were granted on account of i'll
ness of the member or of member of
his family.
Mr.. KEN asked if it was in order.
The Speaker informed the gentleman
that under the Constitution of the
United States it was competent for the
House to transact certain business in
the absence of quorum.
Mr.. KENT wish then that I had
power to amend the constitution"
The Speaker amused at the idea).-
"Well, there are some things that are
providential."
Mr.. Sherman.-"I ask unanimous
consent that such power be given the
gentleman" Laughter)
Mr.. Payne.-"I must object to that"
A quorum having appeared the reso-
luton reported by Mr.. Sherman was
agreed to.
Mr.. Cannon moved TO suspend the
rules and pass deficiency bill appro-
priating S25, 900 for pay and mileage of
members of the House of Representa-