The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-02-13
CURRENT TOPICS.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF.
F~IFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.


IN the senate, on the LIST, a resolution was
offered and referred looking to an investigation
Of the recent presidential and state election In
Delaware and an inquiry as to whether a re-
publican form OF government exists in that
state. The Nicaragua canal bill was then
taken VI, the discussion proceeding on Mr..
Villas motion to have the bill
Mr.. Villas secured the floor and had net con-
cluded his remarks when the senate, after a
short executive session. adjourned lin the
house the day was devoted to miscellaneous
business, a number OF bills being passed. The
last hour was spent in consideration. in COM
mittee OF the whole, OF the diplomatic and doom
sular bill, which was not concluded when the
house adjourned.
In the senate, on the I'd, Mr.. Chandler rep,
n. H. introduced a resolution, which went
over, looking to the ultimate use of silver as
well as gold as standard money with free COIN
age OF both. The conference report on the i'm
migration bill was the subject of long speeches
by Mr.. Gibson dem, Md against, and Mr..
Lodge rep, Mass.) in defense of the report o.
the conference committee. The report went
over without action. The remainder of the
day vas taken up by Mr.. Villas in continuation
Of his speech against the Nicaragua canal bill
......In the house the only business Of i'm
portance was the passage Of a resolution pro-
Viding for q joint session OF congress on the
10th to count the electoral votes and declare
the result.
IN the senate. on the Sd, two resolutions pre-
viously introduced looking to the impeding or
preventing the sale Of the Union Pacific rail-
road property under a judicial decree of fore
closure. were discussed at length by Mr..
ThurSton, the morning hour expiring before
he concluded. The remainder of the session
was devoted to the Nicaragua canal bill. In
the house, after nearly the whole day was de-
voted 10 the contested-electiOn case of COrnctt
VS.. Swanson, from the Fifth Virginia district,
the latteris title to the seat was confirmed by
an overwhelming majority.
In the senate on the 18th, as soon as the rou-
tine morning business was disposed of, house
bill to prohibit the sale Of Intoxicating liquors
in the capitol was taken up, and went over
without action. The conference report on the
immigration bill occupied attention for a time.
after which the Nicaragua canal bill was taken
up and Mr.. Villas delivered the fourth days
installment OF his speech in opposition to it.
lin the house the District Of Columbia bill
was further considered and remained the I'M
finished business. The further conference
asked by the senate upon the immigration bill
was agreed to, and conferees were appointed.
A few unimportant bills were passed.
In the senate, on the 9th, Mr.. Richard R
Kenney was sworn in as senator from Della
ware and took his seat Mr.. Thurston con-
tinued his speech in opposition to the resolu-
ton OF Mr.. Allen (pop., Neb) questioning the
right OF the executive department to consent TO
the judicial sale OF the property Of the Union
Pacific Railroad Co. The Nicaragua canal
bill was taken up, some adverse speeches be-
ing made thereon. A large number Of pension
and other bills unobjected to were taken from
the calendar and passed I'm the house 81
private pension bills were disposed Of; sew
eral contested-election cases were considered
and decided in favor of the sitting members,
and the conference report on the military
academy bill was agreed to. An evening ses-
sion was held for the consideration of private
pension bills.