The record-union., 1896-03-24


then a wonderful burst of patriotic SEN
| timent here. Democrats and Republic
ans and Populists wanted to demon
| strate to the world that we not only
sympathized with Cuba, but were will
ing, if need be, to afford her substan-
tial aid. And yet our patriotism has
been sitting out from that moment. un-
til it is very doubtful whether the reso-
lutions can pass to-day.
First came the Senator from Maine
(Hale) antagonizing the resolution.
Then came the Senator from Massachu-
setts (Hoar), and finally the Chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Relations
(Sherman) has considered, 1 guess, that
it is time for him to retreat, and we are
offered this resolution now to recommit
the matter to a conference committee
and / suppose that that will be the end
of it,
Sherman's resolution that the Senate
insist upon its disagreement to the
House amendment to the resolutions Of
the Senate in regard to the insurreetion
in Cuba and ask for a further confer
ence was then agreed 70 without a di-
vision, and Senators Sherman (Rep) of
Ohio, Morgan Dem.) of Alabama and
Lodge (Rep) of Massachusetts were ap-
pointed conferrees on the part of the
Senate
George Dem) of Mississippi said that
he was enc of the six Senators who had
voted against the original resolutions
and he desired to give one reason for his
doing so. That was that, in his judg-
ment, their subject matter belonged to
the executive and not to the legislative
branch of the Government. He be-
/ lieved that there was no exigency what
ever that could justify or even palliate
any assumption by one department of
the Government of the powers and du-
ties which were by the Constitution as
signed to another and different depart
ment.
The legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill was taken up, but it's
consideration was interrupted by the
offering of a concurrent resolution by
Platt (Rep) of Connecticut in relation
to Cuba, in these words:
The Senate hereby expresses its ear
nest desire and hope that Cuba may
soon become a free, Independent and
republican Government, and that the
friendly offices of the United States
Spanish Government to secure such re-
sults.''
The resolution was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
The consideration Of the legislative
appropriation bill was proceeded with
until a paragraph was reached provid-
ing compensation for "a skilled la
borer."
On inquiry by Peffer (Pop.) of Kansas
it turned out that this skilled laborer
was a barber and wnen PETER objected
to the outlay, Chandler (Rep.) of New
Hampshire discharged some of his
witty shafts at the Kansas Senator,
whose length of beard is proverbial.
This skilled laborer.' he said, was
needed to shave other Senators, If not
to shave the Senator from Kansas.
My objection PETER said, sis to get
rid of these Senate BARRIERS"
The item was not altered.
An item for the appointment of three
clerks and one laborer in the State De-
partment, to be selected "by the Sec
retary of State, by reason of special
aptitude" was attacked by German
peTn.) of Maryland as an attempt to
escape from the civil service rules pro-
mulgated by the President, with the
approval of the Secretary of State. He
(Gorman) was not in favor of the sweep
ing civil service rules that had been
made, but so long as they were in
force there was no reason why the Sec
retary of State should escape from
them.
After discussion the words objected to
were stricken out.
After having disposed of about thirty
of the 135 pages of the bill, the Senate
held a brief executive session, and at
$50 o'clock adjourned until tomorrow.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-To-d days
session of the House was, under the
rules, given up to District of Columbia
business, but the District calendar was
soon cleared, and the remainder of the
session was spent in the consideration
of bill to modify the existing law re-
garding the punishment of crimes COM
mitted under Federal jurisdiction, in
volving the death penalty, so as to al
low sentence to Imprisonment for life.
After three hours discussion the pas
sage of the bill was frustrated by a
point of no quorum made by Barrett
Rep.) of Massachusetts, and the House
adjourned until tomorrow.
In the morning hour billstwere passed
authorizing the construction of various
bridges; authorizing the leasing of
school lands in Arizona; exempting log
ging trains from the law requiring pat
ent couplers and air brakes.
The bill authorizing the leasing of
school lands in Arizona was amended
prohibiting the cutting of the timber
thereon, and limiting the number of
acres to each lessee so as to remove the
objections of the President in vetoing
bill ON the same lines.