The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-05-27
FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.

SATURDAY, May 16.-The time of the sem
ate was taken up with notable plea by
Senator Morgan OF Alabama for the recogni-
ton OF Cuba and for the protection of
American interests there as embodied in his
resolution. The senator rose from sick
bed to deliver this speech and was warmly
congratulated at it's close. The burden of
his plea was that congress should act at
once on these resolutions. In enforcing
this thought he said: &c In existing circum-
stances, some department OF the govern
ment must become responsible to our own
people, and to the judgment of mankind,
for continuing to permit the falsehood to
remain unrebuked, that peace prevails in
Cuba and that war does not exist there.
| Whether it is congress or the president that
denies the facts md repudiates the appeal
| to the senti ments OF our people, and the
honorable duty OF our people, and the hon
orable duty OF our government, there will
| be a great account to render in the end for
the blood that patriots are shedding every
| hour in the cause OF human liberty that a
word from congress or the president would
stop" The resolution was adopted after
| being changed so as to request the president
instead OF the secretary of state, for copies
Of the correspondence regarding the protocol
and its bearing upon the trial and condem-
nation of United States citizens captured in
or near Cuba, - No business of public
interest was transacted in the house. A
large number Of private pension bills were
passed.
MONDAY. The senate bill to regulate the
pay of non-commsSioned officers of the
army passed the senate. After the first OF
July next the pay is TO be as follows for ar
tillery, cavalry and infantry: Sergeants,
ma Or of artillery, regimental quartermas-
ter, sergeants and first sergeants, $50 per
month; sergeants, 1923 per month"; corporals,
S17 per month. The resolution authoriz-
ing the employment OF stenographers and
clerical assistants for the investigation of
the late bond issues by the finance commit
tee was agreed to. The resolution previ-
ously offered by Mr.. Sherman of Ohio for a
special committee OF five senators to visit
Alaska was placed on the calendar. By a
vote Of fOrty-one to six the senate refused to
take up and consider the resolution to in
vestigate the alleged republican form OF
the government for the state of Alabama"
- The house did little except routine
business. 1t voted to devote Tuesday and
"Wednesday to debate on the immigration
bills.
WEDNEsDAY.-In the senate the sen ate
blil passed March g for the enlistment of
additional men in the navy, was taken up.
A motion to reconsider the vote on its pas
sage was agreed to and the bill was pl laced
on the calendar The Qualifications appro-
prlatlon bill was taken up. AS it passed
the house it appropriated So, S45, 937. AS re-
ported from the senate committee the
amount is $40, 1853, 1888, the increase being
made up by these Items: Gun and m ortar
: batteries, SO ll5 0O0 sites for Notifications
and coast defences, S250,000; steel for eight,
, ten, and Uwelve-inCh guns, $3.50 900;
carriages for same, S195 900; steel for
twelve-inch mortars $4,000; carriages for
same, 49,, 900; pay ments for guns under
contracts heretofore made, S502 55l ma
, chine guns, S35, 900; board Of ordnance and
, Notifications, $50, 900; construction aud test
: of Howell and Emery gun carriages, $4,000;
I construction aud test of Calling gun and
, carriages, $4,000; total, S4934,5 sol. The
bill as reported from the committee was
2 passed without division. - In the
) house the District of Columbia bill was re-
, ceived from the senate. The house dis
) agreed TO the amendments made by the
: senate and ordered conference. The Nc
= Call immigration bill was discussed at
, length and was finally passed as amended
: by vote of 1876 to 1911 President Cleve-
pension to Lydia A. Taft, the divorced wife
a of Loyal Taft, was read and referred to the
!. committee on invalid pensions.
, THURsDAY.-In the senate partial con-
ference on the Indian appropriation bill was
presented and agreed 60, and further con-
ference was ordered Mr. Butler of North
= Carolina moved the senate to the consider
, alton OF the bill introduced by him on Janu-
airy 80, to prohibit the further issuance of
= Understanding bonds without the consent
OF congress. The remainder Of the session
t was occupied by filibustering, by the oppo-
= nents of the measure, led by Senator Hill
n - The house went into committee of
= the whole to consider the Phillips bill au-
: thorizing the appointment of a non partisan
2 commission OF twenty-one members to col
3 lect information and to consider and recon-
y mend legislation to meet the problems pre-
sented by labor, agriculture and capita
The presidents message vetoing the bill
granting pension to Rachael Paltee was
[ read and referred to the committee on in
I valid pensions, Several private pension
y bills were passed.
, FRIDAY.-As soon as the routine bust
ness in the senate was disposed of, Mr..
Butler of North Carolina renewed his mo-
: ton to take up the bill prohibiting the
y issue OF interest-b bearing bonds. Senators
. Hill, Sherman and Gray opposed the mo-
, ton, and the debate on Mr. Butler request
: blocked business in the senate for the en-
tire day - In the house also the day
h. was wasted in filibustering over accepting
the conference report on the senate amend
Z ments to the river and harbor bill. In fact,
. the day was practically wasted in both
|