The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-03-18
Congressional Proceedings.

FRIDAY, March 13.-On the opening OF
the senate Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado sug-
gested that that body found itself in an I'M
usual dilemma. III it were essential (he did
not think it was) that congress should act
on the question of Cuban belligerency, the
senate was confronted with the position of
having to vote on questions of fact. on tes-
timony reposing in the breasts OF the men,
bers of the committee on foreign relations
testimony which they could not divulge to
the public and could divulge only in execu-
tive session. Then the resolution had to go
to the house, where there was no executive
session, and where the facts could never be
known. The members Of that body were
absolutely without knowledge of single
one of the facts which the committee on
foreign relations had considered and on
which it would have to vote for or against
belligerency. He would be glad to have
explained to him whether or not senators
were expected to yield their own Judgment
and conscience, and to follow the opinion
Gntelligently formed, no doubt) OF the com
mittee on foreign relations based upon in
formation which could not be divuged.
Mr.. Hawlev of Connecticut expressed the
hope that there might be some declaration
prepared by the committee on foreign rela'
lions in which all senators could Join with
satisfaction, and he said that he would, at
the proper time, move to insist upon the
senates disagreement to the house substi-
further conference. Mr. Hale of Maine
called for the regular order of business,
which was then taken up. The senate COM
mittee on territories made favorable re-
port on the bill to admit New Mexico AZ a
state. Mr. Cockrell of Missouri addressed
the senate on the house bill providing for
a temporary increase OF revenue. After a
brief executive session the senate adjourned
till Monday. - In the Alabama CON
tested election case the house voted by Ia
to 80 to give MIR. Aldrch his seat. He was
escorted to the bar amid wild applause and
was sworn in by Speaker Reed. There
was no quorum at the evening session and
no business was transacted.
SATURDAY. - Neither house of congress
was in session.
MoNDAY.-In the senate Mr.. ElkinS oil
West Virginia offered resolution instruct
ing the committee on foreign relations to re-
port to the senate, before vote Is taken on
the Cuban resolutions, all the material facts
and findings, setting forth whether or not
there exists a state of war in Cuba. If so
how long it has existed; the number OF mel
and officers engaged on each side; whehe
or not the insurgents have constitution
and organized government; what cities and
towns inland and on the seacoast they oc
cupy, and what effect the passage of the
resolutions would have on the insurgents
the Spanish government and the United
States. Mr.. Sherman of Ohio objected and
the resolution went over. Mr.. Lodge o.
Massachusetts addressed the senate a.
length on the immigration bill. - Ii
the house, under suspension OF the rules
the bill providing for free homesteads or
the public lands of Oklahoma for actual ant
! bona tide settlers, and reserving the public
domain for that purpose, was taken up, anC
| Delegate Flynn of Oklahoma explained the
bill and the necessity for its passage de
| spite the adverse recommendation of thu
interior department An amendment of
fered by Mr. Culberson of Texas, suspend
ing until further legislation 10y congress tn,
operation of the public land laws in Gree
county, Texas, due to the decision rem
dered by the supreme court to-day, wa
agreed to, and the bill as amended wa
passed. A bill was also passed increasing
the punishment for mutilating or defacinl
coins and making the passing of such coini
a felony. The maximum penalty is fixed a
| five years imprisonment and $4,000 dine
| The bill relieving the supreme court OF thu
United States from jurisdiction over crimi
nal cases not capital was called up and dis
cussed; but two-thirds failed to vote in ia
vor of suspending the rules and it wen
back to the calendar.