The herald., 1897-05-12

the possession of the state department
which was most important, and should
be given to congress and the country be-
fore the passage of these resolutions.
Mr.. Stewart of Nevada, Populist, az
gued that it would be ae wise to collect
evidence that the sun shines as to seek
further to show that war was going on
in Cuba.
Mr.. Caffery of Louisiana, while oppos-
ing the resolution, criticised Mr.. Lodge
in some of his statements.
The report of the Indian appropriation
bill was concurred in and the items of
disagreement sent back to conference.
During the debate on the Morgan
Cuban resolution strong plea wasmade
for its reference to the committee on for
eign relations on the ground that the
state department is in possession OF re-
cent official information on the Cuban
question, which, 1t is considered, should
be consulted before action is taken by
the senate. This information consists in
the main of report by Consul-General
Lee, dated the latter part of April, in
which he deals with the general situ-
alton and presents all the facts at his
command without making any recon-
mendations as to the policy to be pur-
sued by this government General Lee
states that the insurgents are decreasing
in numbers, but that according to the
most trustworthy information at hand
there are more of them now than when
he went to the island. He explains the
apparent want of organza tion by the
statement that it is against the Cuban
policy to conduct the war after the ac-
cepted modern idea on this point
General Lee also dwells on the condi-
tion of affairs in the island The docu-
ment ie of private nature but while 1t
could not be presented to the senate it
Is believed that it would be accessible
to the committee.
Senator Harris of Kansas introduced
new bill for the regulation Of interstate
commerce, the transformation of the in
terstate commerce commission into a
court of railroad commissioners; and the
regulation of pooling. The proposed
court is to consist of seven members and
Is to have exclusive jurisdiction of all
matters arising under the bill and to have
concurrent jurisdiction with other United
states courts in all cases of negligence.
The jurisdiction to be conferred is, to be
criminal as we'll as civil. The provisions
OF the bill are made applicable to express
and other transportation companies The
court is to sit en- banc at Washington.
and the United States is, to be divided
into seven districts, each to be presided
over by member of the court Appeals
to the circuit court of appeals are pro-
vided for.
AT $3.50 p. m. the senate went into ex-
ecutive session, and half an hour later
adjourned.
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED
The senate today confirmed the fol-
lowing nominations: Stanford Newell of
MinnescNl, to be minister to the Neither
lands; Cassius M. Barnes, governor of
Oklahoma territory; Henry A. Castle of
Minnesota to be auditor of the post
office department; Thomas Richards, In
dian agent at Fort Berthold agency in
North Dakota.
Objection was made in executive ses-
sion to prevent confirmation of Hon. W.
H. Clayton to be judge in Indian terri
tory and the nomination went over with
the understanding that the delay would
not be prolonged. 1t was stated that
there was desire only to investigate
the nomination. No charges were made
against Mr.. Clayton.