Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-06-04
GRINDING OUT OUR LAWS.

rday-The senate de-
feated the proposition TO increase the
beer tax rs cents per barrel. The de-
bate on the bond bill proceeded, Mr..
Hansbrough and NJ. Daniel speaking
for, and Mr., Elkins against the bill.
HoUsE-Almost the entire day was
spent discussing the Senate amend
ment to the general deficiency bill APP
appropriating Si,024, 900 for the pay
ment of about roo French spoliation
claims, S54s, 200 for 325 war claims,
STA, 900 for the pay ment of a claim for
the construction of an ironclad steam
battery in 1864 and about $1,000 for
Indian supplies furnished in 1873 md
1874. The vote was close, but The
friends of the claims carried the day
Ill to o.. The conference report on the
sundry civil bill, which left but 81 ,Os6,-
900 still in dispute, was presented and
was still pending when the house adj
journed.
SENATE-13sth day-The bond bill
was further discussed. A resolution
authorizing the secretary of war to
loan tents to the tornado sufferers was
passed. HoUsE.-All interest in the
proceedings was overshadowed by the
st. Louis horror. A resolution was
passed directing the secretary of war
to place at the disposal of the mayors
of the stricken cities sufficient num-
Der of tents to provide for the tempo
rary necessities of the homeless and
to render such aid as in his power.
SENATE-139th day-An agreement
was reached and a day set TO take a
final vote on the bill TO prohibit the
issue of bonds. The bills repeating
the law relating TO rebates on alcohol
used in the arts, and amending the
law concerning the distilling of brandy
from fruits were passed. The latter
authorizes the exemption of distillers
of brandy made from fruits from the
provisions relating to the manufacture
of spirits, except to the tax thereon.
HoUsE-Almost the entire day was
spent in debating the Johnston-Stolies
contested election case from the Sew
enth South Carolina district. The
naval appropriation bill was again sent
to conference, the two houses disagree
ing on the number of battleships and
the senate amendment limiting the
cost of armor plate to $3.50 per ton.
SFNATE-l4lst day-The bill TO pro-
hibit the issue of bonds without con-
sent of congress was again the topic of
the day. Mr.. Cullom denounced the
resolution as an act of reputation of
our national obligations. A resolution
by Mr. Lodge was adopted requesting
the President for information as to the
seizure of the American schooner
Frederick Geering, by the Canadian
cutter Aberdeen. In introducing bill
for building the Nicaragua canal Mr..
Morgan said ii would be most appro-
pirate for the senate to pass the canal
bill of last year. A brief but breezy
controversy arose over a resolution of
fered by Mr.. Hansbrough. Rep. n. d.,
chairman of the library committee, APP
propriating $4,000 for completing the
frieze in the rotunda of the capitol.
The picture which is to be the final
feature of the frieze has long been in
Ncntroversy. B-was desired by SON.
to place a representation of Presiden
Cleveland there, but the fact tina
neither Washington nor Lincoln no
any incident of the civil war are rep
resented caused many to oppose thi
and the resolution was lost. The par
tial conference report on the Indian
appropriation bill. which has been con
tested for three days, was further de
bated. but no action was taken. HoUsl
1t was suspension" day and mum
Der of minor bills were passed unde
suspension of the rules. The johnson
Stokes election contest was settled bl
the adoption of a substitute which de
clared that there had been no election
and that the seat was vacant. Tn,
Phillips bill for an industrial commits
sion and the bill for funding all obliga
tons of Arizona were also passed. Mr.
Cannon presented a conference repor
on the sundry civil appropria ion bill, il
which the conferees agreed on the pro
visions for two revenue cutters on tn,
Great lakes, to cost $500. 600: and tn,
compilation of revolutionary war docu
ments. Disagreements were reported
on several items, including all the sen
ate amendments for public building,
and the bill was sent back to the con
ference.