Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-07-15
THE osrH CONGRESS AT WORK

uneventful, the deficiency appropria-
ton bill being considered throughout
the day. Among its provisions is one ac-
cepting the invitation of France TO
participate in the Paris exposition of
1900. The bill was not completed up
to the time of adjournment During
the day Mr.. Berry, of Arkansas, Of
fered resolution requesting the Presi-
dent TO demand of Spain the release of
Ona Melton, one of the Competitor
prisoners. The resolution was refer
red to the committee on foreign rela-
tions. House. The tariff bill was re-
ceived from the Senate and immedi-
ately sent to conference, notwithstand-
ing the efforts of the minority TO Sc
cure time for debate. The minority
also attempted to make some political
capital out of the refusal of the major
ity to permit action on the Cuban
belligerency resolution and the bank
ruptcy bill. Part of the day was de-
voted to eulogies on the late Rep. Hol-
man, of Indiana. CONFERENCE. The
first meeting of the conferees of the
House and the Senate was held in the
room of the Senate committee on
finance with full attendance, but the
Democratic members of the conference
remained less than 10 minutes. They
withdrew upon the intimation of the
Republicans that they desired an OPP
portunity to reconcile their differences
before consulting with the Democrats.
The Republicans representing the SEN
ate and the House entered upon gen.
eral exchange of views regarding the
bill, and it was found that it would be
comparatively easy matter, appar-
emily, to come to an agreement, SO that
the conference committee will be ready
to report probably by July 21. The
members of the conference refused alb
solutely to give out the details of the
proceedings The understanding was
reached because of the conviction that
any revelation of the rates agreed
upon would add UNNECESSARILY to the
work of the confe-ees in bringing
down upon them the remonstrances of
those whose wishes were not met in
the adjustment
SENATE.-6sth day.-The Senate met
under the depressing influence of the
death of Senator Harris of Tennessee,
who has been one of the conspicuous
figures in the upper house of congress
for over 90 years. No business was
transacted and an early adjournment
was taken. CONFERENCE. - The con-
ferees on the tariff bill were in session
throughout the day and until late at
night behind closed doors. They have
all taken a particularly binding pledge
of secrecy, and are guarding their
labors with unusual vigilance. Be-
yond the general statement that they
were making satisfactory progress the
conferees would say nothing. Not un-
til final agreement is reached will
either of the two houses be called upon
to act. This course has been decided
upon as the best means of expediting
final action.
SENATE-s7th day-The funeral SER
wees over the late Senator Isham G.
Harris, of Tennessee, were held in the
presence of President Mckinley and
his cabinet, Senators and members of
the House of Representatives, members
of the diplomatic corps, and officials
frosa all branches of public life, be-
sides crowded galleries in which were
many ladies.
SENATE. -sSth da?.-A discussion of
Union Pacific railroad affairs occupied
the day. The deficiency appropriation
bill was taken up and Mr.. Morgan pro-
posed an amendment designed to pre-
vent the consummation of an agree
ment made some time since for the
settlement of the governments claims
against the road. Late in the day the
entire subject was disposed of by the
withdrawal of the paragraph to which
Mr. Morgan had offered his amend
death of Senator Harris, as soon as the
journal had been read, the House, as a
mark of respect to the memory of the
deceased Senator, suspended business
for the day. CONFERENCE. The tariff
conferees have struck some snags.
The Senate conferees have laid before
the House members the condition in
the Senate where there is not an
actual majority of the Republicans
and where other than Republican
votes are necessary to pass the
bill or adopt conference report.
The members of the House are stand
ing by their bill, nevertheless, and
have told the Senator'S that they can
not accept the Senate amendments on
many important items. On sugar the
Senators are holding out especially for
the Senate schedule. The House is
just as firm for its rates, and is also
standing stiffiy for the House schedule
on wool, contending that the Senate
rates would be most oppressive on
manufacturers. Lumber has been in
dispute and the House conferees have
insisted that their rate of 81 on white
pine must be accepted and they have
been supported in this by Senator Bur
rows, of Michigan. The Senators say
that if the House lumber rate is re-
stored it will provoke long discussion
in the Senate and that no one can tell
when the the bill would get out again.
Straw mating, burlaps, cotton ties
and other items which were placed on