Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-02-26
IN CONGRESS-. )
Senate Socks Information Regard.
ing Ruiz Death in Cuba.
VEST CRlTlCISEs THE PRESIDENT,
Significant Discussion In the House on
the Civil Service Law-Finds Many
OppOsers Naval Bill
IL Passed.

Tuesday resolution was offered by
Senator Mills (dem., Tex.) and was
agreed to, requesting the president to
furnish statement of the facts con-
corning the arrest, Imprisonment and
lcath of DR.. Ricardo Ruiz in Cuban
Jail.
Practically, the entire day was con-
sumed in the discussion of an amend
ment in the Indian appropriation bill
for the opening to settlement of the IN
compahgre Indian reservation in Utah,
containing over 100000 acres. The
amendment was resisted by Senator
Villas (dem., Wis.,, principally on the
ground that it was in the interest of the
rich corporations who were engaged
in the business Of extracting asphaltum
and gilsonite, of which there are large
and valuable deposits in the reservation.
Senator Vest (dem., MOI bitterly
criticised the administration, declaring
that all the complications in the matter
bad resulted from the refusal OF the
president to execute the law.
Senator Villas protested against what
he called the arraignment Of the presi-
dent by Senator Vest.
IT arraign the president, II the sena-
tor so characterizes my remarks" said
Senator Vest, because I declare that
he had no right to disobey an act of
congress which was mandatory upon
him. If he believed that we were vast
ing the substance of the people he
should have called it to our attention in
a constitutional way and asked us to
repair the wrong. Instead of that he
usurped Legislative functions and de-
clared that he would not obey the act
of congress. These are the undisputed
facts"
$50 far from their being undisputed
facts" said Senator Villas, II am aston
ished that the senator from Missouri
should make such a statement"
Before abandoning the fight, Sena-
tor Villas proposed an amendment look
ing to the survey of these mineral lands
and their division into lots which were
then to be leased for Is years, a royalty
of 80 much per ton to be paid to the gov
eminent. This was fought by Senator
Brown (rep., Utah) as entirely at vari-
ance with the mining laws of the coun-
try, and with the interests of the people.
1t was defeated; and then the original
amendment, somewhat modified, was
agreed to. That one paragraph was the
only paragraph which the senate made
In the Indian appropriation bill. ltwas
laid aside at 4:4O and the senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of executive
business, and shortly afterward adj
journed.
Washington, Feb. 24.-The house, late
Tuesday, afternoon, ran unexpectedly
into an interesting and possibly signii-
cant discussion of the civil service law
It came about by the consideration of q
bill to amend the revised statutes so az
TO give the governors of territories the
power to remove as well as to appoint
certain territorial officers. 1t was par.
ticipated in by dozen members OF
more, nearly all of whom criticised and
condemned the law, it finding its only
defenders in Representatives Brosiu:
(rep., Pa.) and Walker (rep., Mass.).
Mr.. Grosvenor (rep., o. denounced II
as ''sinuous, infamous conspiracy
upon the government" and expressed
the opinion that tide was rising IL
this country which would sweep bu
reaucracy from power.
Mr.. Bailey (dem., Tex.) denounced tn.
system as humbug, and said the req
son why the democratic party did no
repeal the law when it had the power
was that it did not have sense enough
Mr.. Brosius deprecated the sentiments
of Mr.. Grosvenor and of the republican
applause which their utterances evoked
saying in view of Maj. McKinley's we'll
known attitude toward the merit sys
TEN, it seemed to him "a feshing of
sword in the heart of the president
elect" The bill was passed.
Most of the session was spent in con
sideration of the naval appropriation
bill. Mr.. Barrett (rep., Mass.) criti
cised the bill for it's failure to make ap
preparation for what he deemed to b
one of the most important parts of tn
service, the construction of dry docks
and he moved an amendment authori2
ing one to be built at the Boston nav,
yard to cost not exceeding 100000
He made an extended speech in supper
OF the amendment, which was follows
by long and somewhat acrimoniou
discussion, but it was finally defeated
only about half dozen members SUI
porting it, The bill was passed exact
Jy as it came from the committee O.
naval affairs.
Wants Conservative Tariff.
Washington, Feb. 24-The Michiga
council of the National Business Men
league has presented memorial to til
ways and means committee asking tht
the new tariff be conservative and 6
formed as to promote general rattle
than special interests. They urge thu
extremes be avoided in it's constru,
ton.
Alaskan boundary.
Washington, Feb. 24.-The Alaska
boundary treaty was signed by Seer
tary Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefor
January 80 last, and was laid before IL
senate Tuesday afternoon In executi,
session. Without being read 1t WI
referred to the committee on foreig
relations. This treaty is designated /"
convention between the United Stat,
and Great Britain for the demarkatio
ofso much of the one hundred and fort
first meridian, with longitude as me
be necessary, for the determination
the boundary between their respecti,
possessions in North America" 1t pr
sides for commission similar to Il
Mexican boundary commission, whit
will avail itself of information alreat
collected by the commission under Il