Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-09
OUR LAWMAKERS AT WORK.

SENATE Ninety first day-ocean mail sub
sides brought on an animated discussion
during the consideration OF the postoffice APP
preparation bill. The subsidy item was re-
served Tor a separate vote and the balance OF
the bill was completed Mr. Call OF FLORIDA.
introduced resolution OF radical character
concerning Cuba proposing the immediate use
OF United States naval force 70
protect Americans In Cuba from atrocl-
ties and for humane reasons In genera
The resolution went over under the rules. Mr..
George OF Mississippi, then resumed his speech
in opposition To the claims OF Mr. Dupont 10
seat In the Senate. The HOUSE practically
completed the consideration OF the sundry civil
bill In the course OF the debate on an amend
ment TO appropriate $4,000 for commencing the
erection of new military post at spokane,
Wash, Mr. Cannon, the chairman OF the appro-
priations committee, made an appeal for econ
omy on the ground that the condition OF the
treasury was such that no new project should
be entered upon by this congress. He was sup
ported in his appeal by Mr.. Grosvenor, OF ONO;
who, in some plain-spoken words. insisted
that the necessities OF the situation must gov
ern. He called attention to the tact
that during the first 10 months OF the
operation OF the present tariff law the receipts
had been exceeded by the expenditures s16.OOO,-
600 Some minor business was transacted AZ
the opening of the session. A bill was passed
to authorize the lighthouse board TO proceed
with the construction of lighthouse and FOG
signal on North Manitou island. Lake Michigan.
SENATE.-Ninety second day.-The postoffice
appropriation bill served To bring out some
sharp discussion on the proprety of abohshng
country postohices and absorbing them as
branches OF city Offices Mr. German opposed
the plan as undemocratlc. he stated that the
Baltimore poStoficc territory included two
congressional districts. and this postonice
power was exerted toward influencing the Sc
lection OF men for congress. After speech by
Mr.. Elkins advocating subsidies and other
means OF extending American commerce on the
seas, the postoffice bill went over Mr. Petit
grew reported the Indian appropriation bill.
The bill authorizing the lighthouse board TO
proceed with the building of the lighthouse at
North Manitou island, Lake Michigan. passed.
HoUSE-The question of appropriating public
money for private or sectarlan institutions.
which was debated for several days during the
consideration OF the District OF Columbia app
preparation bill in connection with some appro-
priations for charitable institutions in Wash
lngton, was again fought over for hours, on
the former occasion the contest was managed
by Mr.. Linton, of Michigan. who is one of the
That contest was successful, and by vote OF
LAB TO 1855 the bill was recommitted. This last
bone OF contention was the Howard university,
a colored institution, for which an appropria-
bill on motion of Mr.. Evans Rep, Ky. The
House voted IDS TO l05 TO retain the appropria-
ton, thus, IN "a measure, reversing its action
when the district bill was up The
sundry civil bill, as amended, was passed
Mr.. Danford. OF Ohio, reported from the inn
migration committee the Stone bill providing
for the inspection OF immigrants before they
start FOR this country by L. =. consuls. The
object being 10 force existing laws and such
restricting immigration Statistics show that
with foreign population OF H. II per cent,
more than halr OF our white penitentiary con-
victs and more than half OF our white inmates
OF our poor houses are foreigners, and prove
that Of the immigrants coming here during the
past few years too many of them are deficient
IN morals and are incapable, physically, OF self
support.
Ninety-third day.-No session OF the Senate
House The agitation OF the question of
Cuban belligerency was revived in connection
FE.aa han
lutions. IL was not expected that there would
be much debate, but Mr.. Boutelle. by his vgor-
Gus opposition. prevented action. Mr.. Hit,
chairman OF the foreign affairs committee, in
presenting the conference report, made a very
temperate speech. in course OF which he eX-
pressed the greatest confidence that the
President although the resolutions being con-
current and had no binding on the executive,
would not "bC so rccreant 10 his duty as TO dis
regard the express wish OF congress- He, IN
tact refused 10 entertain the suggestion that
Mr.. Cleveland might not recognize the bellig-
erency OF the Cubans as 4 result OF the adop-
ton of the resolutions.
Ninety-fourth day.-No session OF the Sen
ate. HoUSE.-The day and night sessions were
occupied by speeches on the Cuban resolutions
SENATE-Ninety-fifth day-The Senate spent
the entire day on the pOStoffcc aspiration bill,
but did not complete It, The bill served to
bring out some sharp criticisms by Senator
German on the administration of the pos toffice
department, and by Senator Allen on alleged
Irregularities resulting from the civil service
the Cuban resolutions was adopted by vote
OF pa to p and the river and harbor bill passed
under suspension of the rules after lively de-
bate OF 40 minutes by vote OF 2l6 to 40. The
river and harbor bill carries in actual appro-
priations 30, $50 So and authorizes contracts
for 81 new pro iects with a limit of cost OF SOL,
92l.2l0. by adopting the conference report on
Cuba the House agreed TO the Senate resolu-
tons and disposes OF the Cuban question for
the present. Those resolutions were as fol-
lows: "Resolved that in the opinion OF Con-
gress, a condition of public war exists between
the government OF spain ana the govern
ment proclaimed and for some time main
tanned by force OF arms by the people of
Cuba. and that the United States of Amer
lea should maintain "A strict neutrality
between the contending powers according 10
each all the rights OF belhgerents in the ports
and territory of the United States. Resolved
further That the friendly offices OF the United
States should be offered by the President to
the spanish government for the recognition OF
the independence of Cuba. Concurrent resO-
lutlonS do not usually have To be sent to the
President, but these do, as they express the
opinion that he should tender the ONCE OF the
United states 10 spain for the recognition OF
Cuban independence. and are therefore di-
rectiOn TO INN in SO far as congress can direct
The President in such "A DroengGiuu