The San Francisco call., 1897-01-19
Prompt Action of Congress
Urged by the Ala
bama Senator.
Would Give No Opportunity for
the British Government
to Step In.
Insists on the Bill Being Either
Passed or Defeated Without
Further Delay.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 18.-Sena-
tor Sherman (R. of Ohio was in his seat
at the opening of te-day's session of the
Senate, and was mplimented by many
of his associates on his prospective trans
fer to the premiership of the Mckinley
Cabinet. Senator Cameron (R.) of Penn
uylvania was also in his seat, and for
some time held a colloquey with his col
league, Senator Quay, and other Senators.
Among the curious petitions and me-
MORALS presented during the morning
hour was one by PETER (Pop.) of Kansas
for some of his constituents. urging such
an amendment to the constitution as will
require the Supreme Court in ruling
against the constitutionality of law oi
Congress to submit it's ruling first to Con-
gress, as in the case of q Presidential veto,
and if Congress shall insist upon it the
act shall be deemed constitutional.
A petition from the Bankers Club OF
Chicago. urging the ratification of the ar
bitration treaty, was presented by Cullom
(R.) of Illinois, and referred.
Quay (R.) OF Pennsylvania, from the
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds, reported back the bill intro
duced last week by Murphy Cd of New
York to provide for the erection of a Gus
tom-house in New York City, and it was
placed on the calendar. 1t limits the cost
to So 900, 900, and fixes on the present Gus
tom-house site.
The legislative, executive and judicial
and the military academy appropria tion
bills were reported and placed on the cal
endar.
Chandler of New Hampshire introd uced,
on behalf OF Wolcott (R.) of Colorado,
now in England, an act to provide for the
repre- sen ntation of the United States by
commissioners at any International none
tary conference hereafter TO be called.
The bill was read in full. 1t provides that
whenever, after March 4, 1897, the Presi-
dent of the United States shall direct that
the United States shall be represented al
any International conference called by
the United States or any other country,
with view to securing by international
agreement fixed relative value between
gold and silver as money, with free
mintage at such ratio, he shall be author
lied to appoint i've or more commission.
ers to such conference, and it appropri-
ateg 500, 900 to cover all expenses.
Chandler stated thatsthe bill was in the
exact language of the three previous acts
providing for representation of the United
States at International conferences, except
the insertion of the words free mintage
at such ratio" The bill, ne added, pre-
sented but a single point and one which
all Senators understood. He asked unani.
nous consent that the bill be taken UP to-
morrow for consideration without being
referred to any committee, and there being
no objection, 1T was so ordered.
The concurrent resolution prohibiting
the use of any part of the new library
building for other than library purposes,
was passed.
Pettigrew (sil.) of South Dakota of
fered resolution calling on the Secretary
of State for information as to the doings OF
the Venezuela com mission and also to fur
nish q copy of the agreement on the sub
ject between this country and Great
Britain, which has already been submitted
to the Government of Venezuela.
Gray CD of Delaware suggested that
the resolutions should be referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, but Pet
tigreM preferred that it lie on the table,
saying that he would call it up to- m orrow.
The army appropriation bill was taken
up, Quay being in charge of it. The bill,
as reported, appropriates $23, 129. 344, or
$1,000 more than the House bill, this item
being an increase of the appropriation for
the signal service. The total is $155, 55e
less than the total for this fiscal year.
IneIe was no OiSCuSSlOL, anu Ine Dill was
passed with no other delay than that re.
quired for its reading rapidly by the clerk.
A bill to provide tor a permanent census
was introduced by Chandler (R.) of New
Hampshire and referred to the Committee
on Census.
The House oleomargarine bill was re-
ported to the Senate and Gear RI of Iowa
moved its reference to the Committee on
Interstate Commerce.
Hill CD of New York thought that the
proper reference was to the Committee on
Agriculture, and at the suggestion OF
Cockrell CD of Missouri the bill was laid
on the table for the present.
At 2 P. M, when the morning hour
closed, a motion was made by Morgan Cd. J
of Ala bama to proceed 10 the considera-
ton of the Nicaragua canal. The motion
was agreed to.
The Presidents message transmitting
the report of the commissioners appointed
to inquire as to the feasibility of construct
ing canal between the Great Lakes and
Atlantic Ocean was laid before the Senate
and referred to the Committee on Com
merce.
The Nicaragua canal bill was again