The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-15
WORK IN CONGRESS
Free Homestead Bill the Subject
Before the Senate To-Day.
REMARKABLE INCIDENT IN THE HOUSE
Representative johnson OF California Ad-
mits He Violated the Law at One Time
and Was Indicted---Scores
His Colleague.


Washington, Jan. 13.-Although Mr..
Bacon of Georgia is booked for a
speech in the sekate this afternoon on
Senator Mills resolution recognizing
Cuban indGpendenGH, it is believed that
t may be postponed, as the free home
stead bill is the unfinished business,
and many members seem inclined to
force action on that measure as soon
rs possible. During the debate on
this bill Senator Allen spoke in it's
favor declaring that the existing reign
of bankruptcy and suicide was the
logical consequence of the financial
policy adopted by the government
1t was opposed by Mr.. Villas because it
would surrender $35, 200, 600 in money,
part of which was due under contracts
between the government and settlers
on those public lands, and because it
would give rise to claims for the re-
funding OF all the money here
tofore received by the govern
ment from settlers on Indian lands.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Hill,
and referred to the postofiice commit
tee, proposing to fix the term of
fourth-class postmasters at four years,
except in the case of appointments to
fill vacancies, when they are to be for
the unexpired portion of the term He
explained and advocated the measure
as one which would start political
bookkeeping on correct principles and
which would be fair to all parties. He
argued that the passage of the bill
would be productive of much good, as
1t would place those offices, now the
football of politics, on fixed and de-
finite basis. The resolution offered by
Mr.. Allen, in regard to the violation
of the eight-hour law in Brooklyn by
contractors with the navy department,
was taken up and agreed to-Mr.
Chandler admitting that he had been
mistaken in asserting that the eight
hour law did not apply to contractors,
House of Representatives.
member of congress acknowledging
on the floor of the house of representa-
tives to his brother-members and to
the galleries that he had been guilty of
a violation of law and had been indict-
ed for it was the remarkab ble,spectacle
presented under the capitol dome yes
terday afternoon. The circumstances
connected with the affair followed in
natural sequence the bitter debate
last Friday while the Pacific railroads
refunding bill was pending. On that
day Mr.. johnson of California made an
New York Journal and the San Fran
cisco Examiner. Yesterday he found
In the Congressional Record column
of print devoted to personal referen ,es
to himself inserted by Mr.. Mcguire of
California under leave to print. Rising
to make personal explanation, Mr.
Johnson, his voice frequently breaking
with passion, criticised Mr.. Mcguire
severely for attacking him in that
manner and not on the floor. He ad-
mitted that he had been indicted in
Syracuse, N. Y, as charged by Mr..
Mcguire, but had atoned for his
offense. He said his full record was
known to the people of his congress
sional district, and that they had
shown their belief in him by sending
him to congress. Mr.. Johnson's re-
marks were applauded several times.
Concerning Mr.. Mcguire, his colleague
called him ''humun hyena" and other
such terms, and also bitterly de-
nounced Mr.. Hearst. Quite as vigor.
GUS was Mr.. Maguire's response. He
defended Mr.. Hearst and did not
spare Mr.. johnson. After several roll
calls, the house disposed of the matter
by expunging Mr. Maguire's remarks
from the Record.