The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-03-26
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Daily Proceedings in Senate
and House.
IMPORTANT BILLS INTRODUCED

IMPORTANT BILLS INTRODUCED
Substance OF the Measures Being Con-
sidered by the Fifty-Fourth
SessiOn-Senate.
Washington, March 16.-The excite.
ment of the Cuban debate gave way to
Cockrell today, his elaborate speech ON
the financial question occupying four
hours. There was spirited reference
to Cuba early in the day, when it de-
veloped during an explanation by
Lodge that the committee on foreign
relations had received from Secretary
Olney statement by Senior de LONE,
the Spanish minister. giving the Span
ish view of the case. This brought out
animated suggestions from Hoar and
Wolcott that the senate be put in pos
session OF this important testimony.
Cockrell's speech was an elaborate
presentation of the financial question
from the silver standpoint, so much so
that Hoar stated that it was the ablest
silver speech he had ever listened to.
Washington, March lS.-The senate
had an hour of spirited Cuban debate
late today, after the early part of the
day had been given to set speeches by
Lodge on immigration and Pugh on
silver. The Cuban discussion was
mainly important in bringing out the
full reading of statement of the Span
ish side OF the case by Senior Dupuy de
LONE, the Spanish minister. This
had been referred to some days ago,
but could not be made public. Today,
however, Morgan read a letter from
Secretary Olney saying the Spanish
minister gave his permission for the
public use of the statement. 1t claimed
to detail the insurgent methods of
guerilla warfare, the burning of cane
fields and the disorganized character of
the insurgent bands.
Washington, March 19.-The Gu
ban debate in the senate is drawing to
a close, and the expectation is that
final vote will be taken in a day or
two. Sherman is keeping the ques-
ton before the senate continuously, 80
that the speeches are not likely to last
much longer. Mills and Platt are yet
to be heard, but their remarks will not
be lengthy. Morgan occupied almost
the entire day, speaking until nearly 6
O'Clock tonight in support of the reso-
lutions 1t was mainly an argument
without dramatic interest. The sena-
tor severely arraigned Minister Dupuy
de LONE, of Spain, for improperly in
criticising senators. He also recited
many evidences of the cruelties and
atrocities with which Spain was prose-
cutting the war. Morgan said he feared
that the fanaticism of Spain would
lead her to take up the gage of war,
no matter how mild and proper the
course of congress might be.
House.
Washington, March 16.-Provisions
for putting several craft of the navy
into condition for service as soon as
possible was made today by the house
committee on naval affairs. Commo-
dore Hichborne, chief Of the bureau Of
and repairs Of the navy
made request for a spe-
cial appropriation of $3.50, 900, to be
available for use Immediately, explain
ing that several gunboats and other
craft could be put in shape to go into
if needed, for compare
lively small expenditures, and the de-
partment considered it advisable that
the work should be done at once. To
partly balance the allowances for Com
modore Hichborne's bureau, the gen.
oral appropriation therefor was cut
down from $14, 900, 900 to $12, $780, 900.
There are twelve boats which the de-
partment will put into condition for
service, and for which the appropria-
lion is asked. Some of them are new
,raft, and others old ones now out Of
commission.
Washington, March 18.-This was
suspension day in the house, and sew
oral bills were passed. The most i'm
portant was the Oklahoma homestead
bill, which relieves homesteaders in
Oklahoma of the payment Of the pur.
chase price of their homesteads. The
house also decided, at the request Of
Hit, chairman of the committee on
foreign affairs, to consider the resolu-
lions censuring Ambassador Bayard on
Friday. A bill was passed granting to
The Chicago, Burlington q Quincy
Railroad Company the right OF way
through the Sac and Fox Indian reser-
vation. Bills were passed granting to
The First National bank of Sprague,
Wash. the right to change its location
70 Spoakne, Wash. and to increase the
rank and pay Of the judge-advocate OF
The navy when appointed from the
navy.
Washington, March 19.-The house
devoted the day to the bill to amend
The administrative tariff act of 1890,
and passed it without substantial
The purpose Of the bill
is to strengthen the act Of 1890, some
weak spots having been developed dur
ing the six years it has been in opera
lion. The bill was drawn after extern
sive hearings and upon the advice and
with the assistance of the treasury de-
partment, the board Of general ap-
praisers, importers and others with
practical experience on the subject.
One of the most important changes
makes increased duties and penalties
for naturalization, commencing at the
point of naturalization. and not at 10
ner cent above the differentiation, as
provided by the present law.