The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-03-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
SENATE.

Washington, March 25.--The first refer
enco to the adjournment of congress came
today In formal resolution, offered by
MIR. Plat, proposing an adjournment on
May .
Mr. Plat said his purpose was to call
attention Mt this time to the desirnhilty
OF an early adjournment .
The resolution was referred to the an-
preparations committee, as any determine
ton as to adjournment must depend upon
the condition Of the appropriation bills.
The adoption Of a resolution allowing
eN-President Harrison to receive docora-
tons from Spain and Brazil was postponed
by an objection from Mr.. Allen tPopD
During the day Mr. Gallnger OF New
Han pshirc proposed a constitutional
amendment prohibiting the United states
OF any state from giving any recognition
or financial aid to any church or religious
institution.
Most of the day was spent on the lsgis-
lativc appropriation bill, which Is not yet
completed,
The paragraphs substituting salaries for
fees for United States district attorneys
and marshais were agreed to after
lengthy discussion.
Both the floor of the senate and the
galleries were wen nigh deserted when
the session opened today. as there was
promise that the exciting Cuban debate
would give way to the routine OF appro-
priation bills
Following this Mr. sherman presented
"A favorable report ON the resolution au-
thori1ng eN-Prpsident Harrison TO accept
decorations conferred ON him by Brazil
and Spain, while he was president
Mr.. sherman asked Immediate action.
Let that resolution 20 over" inter-
posed MIR. Allen pop. Neb) one objection
was sufficient to prevent Immediate ac-
ton SO the resolutions went over,
Mr.. Galineer Rcp., n. HI, proposed an
amendment - the constitution to be
known as article XVI providing, That
neither congress nor any state SHAH pass
a law respecting an establishment oil re-
ligion or prohibiting tho free exercise
thereof or use the credit of the United
States or any state or any money raised
by taxation for the purpose Of founding,
maintaining or aiding any church, re-
lgious denomination or religious society
or institution. society or underthking
or ecclesiastical control.
The bill was passed authorizing, the
Kansas city, watkins ana cur Rnhway
Black river, Louisiana.
Al this point Mr., Plat Wep., COMM
rose and said he thought it about time
10 consider the question of adjournment.
and without further comment he offered
the following written resolution;
Resolved by the, senate and house Of
representatives, That the president OF
the senate and the speaker Of the
house OF representatives, be author
lied to close the present SESSION by adj
iournng their respective houses on
the "a lay OF May, at y. m.
Without any further comment the reso-
luton was referred 10 the committee on
apIrropriationS and the senate turned to |
the consideration Of the legislative APP |
preparation bill,
The question Of reforming the fee sys- |
tenn of United states district attorneys |
and marshals occaSioned much debate
Mr. i1oar opposed the change from fees |
TO salaries proposed 70 be gwen TO district
which these salaries were being put |
through the senate,
Mr. George uDem., Miss) attacked the |
entire policy Of giving high salaries, and |
showed that the governors and attorney |
generals Of States received less by half |
than the bill proposed to allow Federal |
provision allowing the attorney general 10 |
designate the number of deputy mnrshais |
He spoke against the "horde of office
holders"
Under buchanan the government cost !
so 100000 annually, and now II cost 500
0O0001. In that time the population had
doubled. hut the government expenditures
had increased ten-fold.
Officials were thrustIng their hands into
the treasury and by hook and crook
mainly by crook seeking to Increase their
satares. The purpose of this provision
was to add 20 the offices controlled by an
MIR. Hoar responded warmly that the
senate could not waste It's time investigat-
Ing into the details Of the number of dep
uty marshals in each of the seventy
seven districts. In the United States II /,
i.d, IL would become a laughing stock If |
the government couiu not trust the at
torney general with this duty, then the
American government had better shut IN
mop and apply TO some populist club to
carry on its affairs.
After an extended debate the salaries
pr district attorneys and marshals were |
agreed as reported, with a few minor
changes.
The legislative appropriation bill was
not completed when. at $3.50, the senate
went into executive session and soon ar
terwnrd adjourned