The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-02-27
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
Condensed Record of the Doings of the
Nations Lawmakers -Senate.
Washington. Feb. 19.-The senate
today adopted resolution by Allen,
calling on the secretary of the treasury
for information as to the amount OF
money in the treasury March 4, 1889,
and March 4. 1898, and whether there
had been decrease of revenue, and
from what cause. Davis made strong
speech in support of his resolution
enunciating the Monroe doctrine.
Mitchell of Oregon, chairman on privi.
leges and elections, presented the views
of the majority of the committee favor.
ing the seating of Dupont as senator
from Delaware. Mitchell has also pre-.
sented resolution directing the ju.
dietary committee to inquire if con.
gress has jurisdiction over the Colum.
bia river to such an extent that salmon
may be protected, and asserting that if
steps are not taken to protect salmon
they will be destroyed. He says he
intends to have the committee make q
decision on the matter.
Washington, Feb. 2O.-The session
of the senate today furnished a success
sion OF breezy incidents. Little actual
work was accomplished, but brief de-
bates on a number of subjects develop.
ed frequent sharp personal exchanges
between the senators. Hill had a
lively tilt with Tillman of South Caro-
lima during the debate on PETERS reso.
luton for senate investigation of the
recent bond issue. Allen joined issues
with Gear of Iowa and Wolcott over
the course of the Pacific railway COM
mission in conducting their inquiry.
Chandler and Cockrell had an ami
mated but good-natured colloquy, and
Hawley and Allen had a difference
somewhat less good-natured. Two ap-
preparation bills, the military academy
and the pension bill, were passed dur
ing the day. Efforts were made to
amend the military academy bill by in
creasing the number of cadets by two
from each state, 80 in all, but, after
debate of three hours, the plan was de-
feated. The pension appropriation
bill, carrying $142, 100000, was
passed after ten minutes debate.
Washington, Feb. 1S.-The attack
on Secretary Morton for his refusal to
expend the appropriation for seeds in
the present agricultural appropriation
bill was transferred from the senate to
the house today, and furnished the
feature of the proceedings in the lower
house. 1t was led by Baker and was
supported by Moses and Livingston,
Boatner and Meredith. Some very
harsh things were said and applauded,
by Boatner. who referred to
Mr.. Morton CONTEMPORARY as THAT
and not a voice was
raised in his defense. The general de-
bate on the agricultural bill during it's
consideration, when the attack was
made, was closed before adjournment.
Several bills of minor Importance were
passed and a resolution was adopted
directing the judiciary committee to
inquire into the right of an executive
officer to refuse to execute law on the
ground of it's unconstitutionality, and
to report by bill or otherwise. This
investigation grows out of Controller
Bowler's decision in the sugar bounty
cases.
Washington, Feb. 19.-The agricul-
tural appropriation bill occupied the
attention of the house today. A great
deal of criticism of Secretary Morton
was INDUCED in on both sides of the
political aisle, but, as on Monday, not
one arose to his defense. At last,
Pearson asked if there was not some
member, Democratic, Populist or Re-
publican, who would raise voice in
his defense. His question was greeted
with a chorus of ''noes' from all sides
of the house. An amendment was
pending when the house adjourned,
mandatory the execution of the
provision in the bill for the distribu-
ton of seeds. 1t is understood Cousins
will offer an amendment, directing the
secretary of the treasury to withhold
the payment of Secretary Morton's
salary until this provision was exc
cuted.
Washington, Feb. 20.-The house
today passed the agricultural appro-
priation bill. 1t carries s., 158, 1872.
The section of the revised statutes for
the purchase and distribution of rare
and uncommon" seeds, which Secretary
Morton declined to execute in the cur
rent appropriation law, was repeated,
the appropriation for seeds was in
creased from $3.50, 900 to $3.50, 900 and
it's execution was made mandatory
upon the secretary. Cousins lntoduced
his amendment to reduce Mr.. Morton's
salary from So, 900 to $25 until he ex-
pended the appropriation in the cur
rent law, but the amendment was
ruled out on point of order. Several
to the meat inspection act
of 1891, recommended by Secretary
Morton. which would have given him
additional power to enforce regulations
and have strengthened the law by the
imposition of penalties for violations,
were stricken out. Bills were passed
TO dispose of the Fort Klamath hay
reservation, and to grant the Column
bia & Red Mountain railroad a right
of way through the Colville reserva-
ton. A resolution was adopted direct
ing the committee on ways and means
to investigate the effect the difference
in exchange between gold and silver
standard countries has upon the manu-
featuring industries of the United
States. The Agricultural bill was then