Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-08
SENATE AND HOUSE.
JOINT CUBAN RESOLUTION INTRO
DUCED by MIR. MILLS.
LABOR, AGRICULTURE, AND CAPITAL
House Bill for the Appointment of n
Commission Thereon Pronounced
CbimericnI--Thc Loud Bill-Pacific
Railroad Debt Matter.

WASHINGTON, January 7.--Several me-
MORALS we're presented by Mr.. Cullen CRe-
publican) of Illinois, in favor Of the recog-
milton of Cuban independence, and one
from the Commercial Club, Of Chicago,
endorsing the policy Of the Administra-
tlon regarding Cuba.
This was followed by the introduction
of a Joint resolution by Mr.. Mills, OF
Texas, declaring that ''the question OF
the expediency of recognizing the inde-
pendence of a foreign government belongs
to Congress-. and when Congress shall so
determine the Executive shall act in har-
mony with the legislative department OF
the government.
Second. That the independence OF the
republic OF Cuba ought to be- and hereby
IL, recognized; and the sum OF slO'oVo ls
hereby appropriated for the salary and
expenses Of a minister to that govern
ment. whenever such minister shall be ap-
pointed by the President"
Mr. Mills gave notice that he would ad-
dress the Senate tomorrow in support or
the Joint resolution. Meanwhile it lies on
the table. Later in the session the SEN
ate voted to adjourn from to-day until
Monday. and Mr.. Mills changed the no
tice OF his Cuban speech from tomorrow
to Monday.
Some half a dozen bills were taken
from the calendar and passed, including
one to pay Samuel c.. Reed. Jr, son OF
Captain Reed, OF the famous prvateer
General Armstrong, Sl6.3y6, being the un-
expended balance of the appropriation or
$50 7S9 made in 1881 as indemnity for the
destruction Of the privateer by the British
In the neutral harbor Of Fayal in 1915.
An effort was made by Mr.. Sherman to
have consideration of the Senate bill
fixing a uniform standard Of classification
and grading of wheat corn, oats, barley,
and rye Much opposition was developed
TO it. and the bill was not taken up.
The House bill for the appointment of
non partisan commission TO collect in
formation. and TO consider and recon-
mend legislation TO meet the problems
presented by labor, agriculture, and capt.
tai, was reached on the calendar and was
antagonized by Mr. Aldrich Republican),
of Rhode Island. az "the most chlmerl-
cal idea ever presented 10 the American
Congress
The morning hour expired without ac
ton being taken on it, and the bill re-
mains on the calendar.
HOMESTEAD LAWS.
Then the unfinished business-being the
bill extending the principle of the home
stead laws to all the land acquired from
Indian tribes-was taken up, and was
opposed in a long speech by Mr.. Platt
Republican), of Connecticut.
1t was advocated by Mr.. Stewart Popu-
lisO, of Nevada. who characterized the
opposition to it as "pitiful higglng."
The bill went over without action.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Morgan
OemocraD, Of Alabama, and agreed to,
directing the Committee on Expenditures
in the Executive Departments TO inquire
into the circumstances OF the abstraction
Of certain papers as to Pacific railroad
matters from the files I'm the Treasury
Department. as mentioned in a commu-
nication from that department last Tues
day.
A substitute was passed for the House
bill Of last session 10 amend the laws re-
lating to navigation; and substitute for
another House bill to amend the laws
relating to American seamen was dis
cussed up TO adjournment.
The Loud" bill, in reference to second
class mail matter. was received from the
House, and was referred to the Post
Office CorYmittee.
The Senate bill TO provide a District At
torney and a Marshal for the Western
Judicial District OF South Carolina was
taken from the calendar and passed.
One OF the papers referred to yester-
day by Mr.. Gala statement as 10 the
facts In the Sanguily case in Cuba-was
presented by Mr. Call, read IN full, and
ordered printed in the Record 1t was
signed he said, by Edward f. Robbins.
Republican member of the next Con-
g SIS.
at $50 o'clock the Senate adjourned
until Monday next.
House of Representatives.
The debate upon the proposition to re-
fund the Indebtedness of the Pacific Rail
road Company to the government was
begun in the House to-day, under an
order adopted last month, which set apart
the rest of this week fer that purpose.
Preliminary thereto, an immense wall
map, showing the routes of the road, was
elevated In front of the Speakers desk.
TO aid the members in arriving at a clear
understanding of the situation Interest
in the debate judged from the attend
ance, and the attention OF members and
spectators in the galleries, was neither
deep nor extensive.
When the House went into Committee
of the Whole. Mr.. Payne Republican,,
Of New York, was called to the chair.
Mr.. Powers Republican,, Of Vermont.
chairman OF the Committee on Pacific
Railroads, reporting the bill. stated that
the time for general debate was TO be
equally divided between friends and op-
ponents of the measure, and to be con-
trolled by himself, and Mr.. Hubbard Re-
publican). of Missouri. which arrange
ment was confirmed by the COMMITTEES;
and Mr.. Powers opened the case for the
bill. He said ii was plain business
proposition that the committee had re-
ported and II was intended to appeal only
to the good business sense of the House.
Mr.. Grow Republican) of Pennsylvania.
also supported the measure; and Messrs
Hubbard Republican. of Missouri and
Bell Oemocrap, of Texas. opposed IT,
The latter and Mr. Harrison DemocraO
OF Alabama, each presented a substitute
for the committee measure. with the an
nouncement that ii would be formally of
fered for consideration at the proper time
General discussion will be continued
tomorrow, and on Saturday the bill will
be open to amendment. A vote on its
passage will be taken Monday next.
AT $40 o'clock the House adjourned
until tomorrow