Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-23
SENATE AND HOUSE.
DISAPPOINTMENT As REGARDS
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
ADJOURNMENT UNTIL JANUARY 9TH.
Pacific Rnilronds-Urgent Deficiency
BiII-The Initiative and Heferen-
dum-Iibrnry Mcasure-Attacks on
the CiyiI-Seryice Law.

WASHINGTON. December p. - The
spectators who had assembled In large
numbers in the Senate galleries to-day,
in expectation Of witnessing interesting
scenes and OF listening TO an exciting de-
bate in connection with the Cuban ques-
ton, We're disappointed. the only thing
that came up having any relation to that
subject at all being a resolution OF in
qulry as to the circumstances attending
the death Of an American citizen, said
TO have been hacked to pieces by Span
ish soldiers In the Island Of Cuba. Mr..
Vest did not call up. as he had given no
tice that he would, his resolution for an
inquiry as 70 the constitutional question
presented by the Secretary of State in
his press statement touching the power
Of the President to ignore a joint reso-
luton of Congress. directing him to recog-
nize the independence Of the Republic OF
Cuba
The morning hour in which that sub
feet might have been discussed, was oc-
cupied by Mr.. Morgan. in a long speech
against the Pacific railroad funding bill,
and IN favor OF the governments taking
contended. II was its right and duty TO
do whenever a default In payment Of the
bonds occurred. The subject came un
on a resolution from Mr. Pettgrew Gre
publcan). OF South Dakota, with refe-
renee 10 the G per cent. trust notes OF
the Union Pacific Railroad Company,
which, ne asserted were TO be used so
as TO iniure and destroy the security Of
the government for the debt due to it by
81 Ia
ferred TO the Committee on Pacific Roads
whose chairman. Mr.. Gear Republican,.
of Iowa. declared his purpose to ask ac-
ton on the funding bill Immediately after
the holidays.
The urgent deficiency bill was passed
and was Immediately returned TO the
House for concurrence IN the amendments
agreed 10 In the Senate
Mir. Butler GopulsO. Of North Carolina.
offered a resolution for a committee of
three senators TO inquire into the prin-
cipe OF legislation through the militia
tive and referendum Referred TO the
Committee on Contingent Expenses.
At 2.iO Z. NJ. the Senate went into exc
cutive session and shortly thereafter ad-
journed until Tuesday January 5th.
House of Representatives..
AT $40 o'clock this afternoon the House
adjourned for the holiday recess. having
then disposed OF the legislative. executive.
and judicial appropriation bill after a
four days consideration. II was passed
just as reported from the Committee on
Appropriations. with the single exception
that the salary of the Librarian of Con-
gress was reduced from 5000 TO $500.
And this. after II had been antagonized by
the Joint Committee on Library and the
opponents of the civil service law in n
discussion running over three days. The
bill carries total appropriation OF S2i,
6is so, and provides for 1905 salaries.
ro-day's session was devoted 10 dis
cussion of the appropriation for the Civil
Service Commission. and under IL the
law and the administration thereof were
most vigorously attacked. The principal
speakers were Messrs. Baker Republi-
cam. OF New Hampshire Gibson (Repub-
LEAN, OF Tennessee. and Williams Dem
ocrat). OF Mississippi. The law was up
held bv Mr.. Broslus Republican). OF
Pennsylvania. and Walker Republlcan),
OF Massachusetts. A motion to strike out
the appropriation failed-29 to 62. This
was the only vote counted, other proposi-
lions to amend the provision being settled
In the negative viva voce.
The House agreed to the Senate amend
ment to the urgency deficiency bill