Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-01-14
THE SENATE BUSY.
A Number of Minor Bills on the
Calendar Passed.
4 UNIFORM STANDARD OF GRAIN.


P''in- HHIhotT VI 0lilS on the ca en-
OAR ineludlng several amendments to
the law OF navigation. and also the bill
authorizing the president to reappoint
TO the navy Commander Quacken ush,
whose case has occasioned much con.
troversy. Progress wa, made on the
bill for free homesteads on Indian
lands but final vote was not reached.
Mr. Platt opposed the bill in lengthy
speech, pointing out that it would cost
the governmental loss of many millions
1t was disclosed durin the day that
Representative.elecl Edward F. Rob.
bins was the author of the letter from
Havana read in the senate Wednesday.
The other Cuban development Of the
DAY was a joint resolution offered bv
Mr. Mills, of Texas, declaring
that the power of rec gnizinr "A new
republic resides in congress, recornjL.
ing the independence OF Cuba and an.
propriating $4,000 for United States
minister to the republic of Cuba Mr.
Mills will speak on the resolution next
Monday.
In passing the hou,e bill to provide
for the entry of lands in Greer county,
Ok, to give preference rights to set
tiers, the senate yesterday conferred a
public benefit upon hundreds of home
sleaders, and in the aggregate saved
them something like S3,OOO.OOO that
would otherwise have come out Of
their pockets The bill was called up
by Senator Berry and passed in short
order.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, intro.
duced a new bill providing method
of settlement of the Pacific railroad
debts. 1t directs the appointment of
board OF trustees for the Union Pacific
and Central Pacific for funding the
debts Of the roads and authorizes the
secretary Of the treasury to issue bonds
Of the United States in such amount
as may be necessary for the redemp.
ton OF the first mortgage bonds of the
road.
Mr. Sherman. of Ohio, sought to Sc.
cure the passage OF a bill directing the
secretary of agriculture to establish
uniform standard Of Grain and all
classes of cereals, to b. known as the
United States standard, hut there was
sharp o lection. Mr.. Hale, of Maine,
1t conferred sweeping powers
On the secretary of agriculture, Mr..
Allen. OF Nebraska, said the bill was
opposed to the grain producers, taking
put of their hands the right to classify
their own grain, Mr.. Gear, of Iowa.
said commercial bodies and producers
were in favor of 1t. Mr.. Sherman ex.
planned that he presented the measure
at the request Of organizations in his
state; it sought merely to establish a
uniform standard, but did not inter-
ERE with any private contract as to a
standard. Mr.. Sherman said the meas.
ire was in the interest of farmers and
vas designed to have the same grade
n Chicago, New York and elsewhere
IN objection the bill went over.
Mr.. Perkins, of California, moved to
make the bill for the appointment of
commission to consider the problems
presented by labor, agriculture and
aoital special order for two p m.
exc Wednesday. A lively parlia-
lentary contest ensued, until Mr..
'erkins effort for n special order was
ut off by the expra ion of The morn
lp hour at two o'clock.
The senate then took up the bill for
rec homesteads on public lands &C.
uired from The Indians, Mr.. platt,
Connecticut, led the opposition TO
ne bill, pointing ont hat it would re-
llt IN a loss 10 the overument of |
lany million dollars. There was a
risk exchange between Mr.. Platt and |
IT. Allen. of Nebraska, when the latter
lad the free homestead plank of the |
lst republican national platform. Re.
irning to the bill Mr.. Platt said it
eant the government should buy
nds and donate them to individuals.
r. Stewart, Of Nevada, spoke in favor
generous treatment for the western
tters The bill was then laid aside
AT $3.50 p. IN. the senate held a brief
iecutlve session, and soon after adj
urned until Monday.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. s.-The Pacific
iIroad funding bill which is consid.
ed the most important piece Of legis.
ton that will come before congress
this session, came up yesterday in
e house under special order which
lows two days for general debate
ID one day for amendments and de-
re under the iive.minute rule, with a
DIVISION for q final vote on Monday
KIT There was a great deal OF in
rest in the measure, and the mem
RS gave all the speakers very close
tention. A huge map of the roads
tn their feeders was hung on a
lme erected in the area in front Of
e speakers rostrum, and served TO
ustrate many Of the points made.
There were only four speakers-Mr.
wers, of Vermont, the chairman OF
3 Pacific railroad committee, who
ened with an exhaustive two hours ,
yument in support Of the bill; Mr.. {
Ibbard, OF Missouri, the minority
mber of the committee, who has =,
irge Of the opposition, and Messrs. q
ow, Of Pennsylvania, and Bell, Of /
xas who spoke respectively for and I
iinst the measure. /
dr. Van Horn, OF Kansas City, intro 4