Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-18
THE rIFTy-rounTu CONGRESS.
Immfgrntion-AIa Government.
Wnrship building ON Great Lakes.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., December H.
The bill which passed the House Of
Representatives last session. and for
which substitute was reported by a
Senate committee, TO amend the immi-
grafton laws of the United States. occupied
the attention OF the Senate during nearly
the whole OF to-day's session. The sub
stitute was amended I'm some particulars.
the most notable amendment being one
providing that the act shall not apply to
Cuban refugees during the existing
trouble IN Cuba: and then It was passed
by a vote Of % TO 10. and a conference
asked with the House The bill. as
passed. excludes, in addition TO those
classes excluded under existing laws. all
persons over l6 years Of age who cannot
read and write the language Of their
native country, or some other language;
but II does not exclude the wife. child,
parent, or Crandparent of an admissible
immigrant Notwithstanding inability in
such case 60 read and write.
The House amendments TO the Senate
bill as to the lands of the Atlantic and
Pacific Railroad Company were laid be-
fore the Senate. and We're. on motion OF
MIR. Hill. non-concurred in. and con-
ference was asked-Senators Hill. Platt
ana ozark Delng appOlnlti CoHltiittS oii
the part of the Senate.
In presenting a lot Of petitions from
Alabama. declaring that there was no
lawful state Government in that state
Mr.. Chandler collided with Mr. Allen In
reference to the failure Of Mr.. Aliens
resolution of inquiry on that subject last
session-Mr Chandler asserting that the
resolution had failed because of some In
temperate remarks OF Mr.. Aliens ques-
tioning the motives Of the Republican
senators. and Mr.. Allen denying that. hut
asserting that he had had n grave sus-
picion that the resolution never would be
acted on in good faith on the Repubi-
can side Of the chamber
4 bill to authorize the construction Of
railroad bridge across the Sabine river,
between Louisiana and Texas, was re-
ported and passed
After a short executive session. the
Senate at 4:30 y. NJ. adjourned until
Monday next.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House to-day set the Inauguration
ball rolling by the passage of the usual
bills authorizing the laying Of temporary
railroad tracks 20 accommodate the in
creased travel. the use Of streets and re-
servations for the erection of reviewing
stands, and the loan of such government
flags and ensignS as can be spared Tor
decorative purposes.
The army appropriation bill which was
the unfinished business at the opening or
the session. was passed. after the amend
ment recommended by the Committee or
the Whole. Wednesday. practically abol-
fishing the hospital at Hot Springs. Ark.
by cutting off the appropriation for its
maintenance, had been agreed TO.
Mr. Burton Republican,. of Ohio offer
ed a resolution directing the President to
enter into negotiations with Great Britain
TO secure. If possible, the abrogation or
the section Of the treaty of 1917 which
prohibits the building Of war vessels at
ship-yards located on the Great Lakes.
Half a dozen measures of local interest
to the District Of Columbia were passed,
and consideration Of the legislative. eX-
ecutive. and judicial appropriation bill was
begun I'm Committee of the Whole. Thirty
one pages OF the 10 comprising the bill
were disposed of without amendment.
when. at O'Clock. the committee arose
and the House adjourned until tomorrow.