Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-18
FIFTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January Is.
SENATE.

senator sherman was III uls seaU az
the opening of TO days session and was
complimented by many of his associates
on his prospective transfer to the pre-
miership of the Mckinley Cabinet.
Senator Cameron was also in his seat
and for some time held colloquy with
his colleague, Senator Quay, and other
Senators.
Among the petitions and memorials
presented during the morning hours
was one by Mr.. PETER from some OF
his Kansas constituents urging such an
amendment to the constitution as will
require the supreme court in ruling
against the constitutionality of law
of Congress, to submit its ruling hrst
to Congress, as in the case Of a presi-
dental veto; and, if Congress shall in
sist upon it, the act shall be deemed
constitutional.
A petition from the Bankers Club OF
Chicago urging the ratification of the
arbitration treaty was presented by
Mr.. Cullom and referred.
The legislative, executive and jul
dicial and the military academy appro.
priation bills were reported and placed
on the calendar.
MIR. Chandler introduced an act to
provide for the representation of the
United States by commissioners at any
international monetary conference
hereafter to be called. The bill was
read in full. 1t provides that when
ever, after March 4, 1897, the President
of the United States shall direct that
the United States shall be represented
at any international conference called
by the United States or any other
country, with view to securing, by
international agreement, fixed rela-
tive value between gold and silver as
money, with free mintage at such ratio
he shall be authorized to appoint five
or more commissioners to such confer
| ence; and it appropriates 100000 to
cover all expenses. Mr.. Chandler
stated that the bill was in the exact
language Of three previous acts provid-
ing for representation of the United
States at international conferences ex
cept the insertion of the words "free
mintage, at such ratio"
He asked unanimous consent that
the bill be taken up tomorrow for con-
sideration without being referred to
any committee.
There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
The concurrent resolution prohibit
ing the use Of any part of the new Ii
brary building for other than library
purposes, was adopted.
Mr.. Pettigrew offered q resolution
calling on the Secretary of State for in
formation as to the doings of the Vene-
zuelan boundary commission, and to
furnish copy of the agreement on the
subject between the United States and
Great Britain, which had been already
submitted to the government of Nene-
zuela.
Mr.. Gray suggested that the resou-
ton should be referred to the commit
tee On foreign relations; but Mr.. Petit
grew preferred that it should lie on the
table, saying that he would call it up
tomorrow.
The army appropriation bill was
taken up, MIR. Quay being in charge
of it.
The bill, as reported to the Senate
appropriates 1913, 129 ,344, or So, 900 more
than the House bill. There WAS no
discussion and the bill was passed with
no other delay than that required for
its reading rapidly by the clerk.
a. bill to provide for permanent
census was introduced by Mr.. Chandler
and referred to the committee on the
census.
The House oleomargarine bill was
reported TO the Senate. 1t was laid on
the table for the present.
A motion made by Mr.. Morgan to
proceed to the consideration of the
Nicaragua canal bill was agreed to.
The Presidents message transmitting
report of the commissioners appointed
to inquire as to the feasibility of con-
STRUGGLING q canal between the great
lakes and the Atlantic ocean, was laid
before the Senate and referred to the
committee on commerce.
The Nicaragua bill was again taken
up and Mr.. Morgan addressed the SEN
ate. He said that the committee on
the Nicaragua canal was unanimous in
its approval of every feature of the bill.
He was satisfied that it was the best
bill yet presented on the subject. 1t
was more conservative, and left more
power in the hands of the president
than any former bill.
HOUSE.
The House began business today by
passing bill reported by the Indian az
fairs committee, to prohibit the sale of
intoxicating drinks to indians.
A bill was passed, providing that the
patenting of an invention in any foreig
country, if more than two years prior
to the application in this country, shall
also be patent.
1t is provided that the granting of
foreign patent to the same in.
ventor or his assigns shall not affect the
term of the United States patent unless
the application for said foreign patent
was filed more than seven months prior
to the filing of the application in this
country.
The bill provides that the term oftwo
years within which the applicant must
complete his application be reduced to
six months, and an additional section
provides statute of Limitation in pat