The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-04-08
CONGRESSIONAL


Mr.. Hoar (rcp.), reported In the senate to-
day the house bill 20 reduce the causes for
which the death penalty must be inflicted
and moved that II be passed. He explained
that In cases OF treason, murder and criminal
assault capital punishment was retained and
that, In all other cases imprisonment at hard
labor for life was TO bc inflicted where tho
iuries annexed TO their verdict the words
Without capital punishment The bill went
over until tomorrow.
Senator Quay was in his plnce in the Son
ate attending TO his duties. One OF the first
things he did was to introduce n number OF
petitions or memorials protesting against
sectnrian appropriations, n subject that ap-
pears to be Of very great interest, especially
In certain localities in Pennsylvania. He
next had called up and passed a bill for tho
relief OF telegraph operators who served In
the war In their professional capacities.
EioHrY-EIoHrH DAY.
Senator Cullom, Chairman of the Senate,
Committee on Interstate Commerce and
author Of the present Interstate commerce
law, announced his purpose OF introducing
bill to amend the law so as TO prevent the
transportation Of foreign goods at cheaper
rates than those OF domestic manufacture, as.
is allowed under the decision OF the Supreme
Court In the import case rendered yesterday.
The House spent the day considering the
sundry civil bill and fair progress was made.
determined effort was made by some OF the
Southern representatives TO strike from the
bill the appropriation of $50, 600 for the pny
OF internal revenue reformers, which Is par
ticulnrly obnoxious to people IN the "moon-
shine" Districts but was unsuccessful.
EIGHrY-SISru DAY.
Senator George, OF Mississippi, delivered
the second instnlment OF his speech against
the claims of Mr.. Dupont TO the vacant eent
In the Senate from the State of Delaware
He spoke for over three and u half hours,
ana promises to continue his remarks to-
morrow.
Another Cuban joint resolution was launch
ed by Mr.. Call. OF Florida. II recites the
way by preamble the continual violation of
the usages and rules of war by the Spnnards
In Cuba and directs that an adequate naval
force be Immediately sent to protect United
States citizens by force II necessary. IL
threatens forcible intervention In case Of n
recurrence of murder, Outrage or putting to.
death prisoners Of war. The joint resolution
was laid on the table temporarily.
The PostOfllce Appropriation bill wns all
disposed of,with the exception of the amend
ment providing additional compensation for
carrying the mails between san Francisco.
and New Zealand and New South Wales
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Butler Popu-
list, OF North Carolina, and referred to the
Finance committee, providing that payment
of notes, bills, checks, etc, shall be In legal
tender money, irrespective of any stipulation
In the contract. He explained that his object
was to stop gold mortgages and gold notes.
IL did not affect existing contracts.
NINETIETu DAY.
The postollce appropriation bill brought
out a lively debate In the Senate to-day. The
proprlety Of abolshing tho country post
offices and absorbing them as branches OF
the greater city offices caused some dispute.
Senator German opposed the plan In bitter
speech, assailing It rs un-Democratic. etc.
Representative Danford Of Ohio to-day re-
ported to the house from the immigration
committee the Stone bill providing for the
inspection OF immigrants by United States
.consuls. The object Of the measure. says the
report, Is to enforce existing laws and such
laws as may hereafter be passed by congress
restricting immigration.
NINEiY-FIRsT DAY.
| The house to-day revived the agitation of
the question of Cuban belligerency in con-.
nection with the conference report on the
resolutions. II was not expected that there
would be much debate, but Mr.. Boutelle, by
his opposition, prevented action. After a
heated dispute over bill for another bridge
across the Mississippi AT st Louis, which
was passed. Chairman Pickler, OF the PEN
sions committee, insisted on the regular
order, as this was private bill day, saying
that Cuba could wait. After about 80 tllls
had been passed In something more thaR an
hour, Mr.. Erdman made novel point OF
order, demanding. after q bill had heen or
dered engrossed, that a copy of sths engros-
sed bill be produced. As this could not be
done the bill was laid over.