The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-16
Has Ceased to Be a Legal
Business
PETTIGREW MAKES PROTEST.
WHICH THE SENATE PROCEEDS
TO IGNORE
House Members Consider Judicial
Appropriations and Jump on the
Civil Service Law
Associated Press Special Wire.

OAvA 0cIt4Cc Law
Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.-The pro-
ceedings Of the senate were today en-.
livened by an interesting debate upon
the bill presented by the foreign rela-
tions committee, providing for the pro-
hibition Of pelagic sealing by Americans.
The provisions Of the measure were ex-
planned by Mr.. Davis, chairman Of the
foreign relations committee, who said
that 1t was in aid Of negotiations pending
among the representatives OF the gov
ernments Of the United States, Great
Britain, Russia and Japan. Mr.. Petit
grew Of South Dakota sharply antag-
onixed the measure, saying that thib
country had already suffered moro
than enough humiliation on account Of
the seal business, and that he favored
the settlement Of the question by killing
all Of the seals as they appeared At the
rookeries Of the Pribylon islands II By
the first of June next Great Britain Also
had not agreed to the prohibition q
pelagic sealing. He offered an amend
ment to that effect, but it was defeated
The bill was passed by vote Of 81 to -
The session closed with a spirited civfl
service debate upon the bill presented By
the census committee. providing for the
appointment of a director Of the census
and 80 employees, who should form the
skeleton Of an office force for the twelfth
census.
On motion Of Mr.. Chandler, New
Hampshire, the senate passed q bill d.
recting the secretary Of the navy to erec4
in the city Of Washington a monument
to the memory Of the late Admiral Por-
ter.
The concurrent resolution, adopted ~
the house, providing fora raceas NEcogf.
gress from Saturday, Dec. 18th, to Wed.
nesday. Jan. 5th, was laid before the
senate and referred to tho committee
on appropriations.
Mcbride OF Oregon called up hts reso-
luton directing the secretary Of war to
purchase food and supplies and to trans
port such supplies as may be offered ;fos
the relief OF the American miners and
other sufferers in the valley Of the Yukon
river. and appropriating $35o.o0o to de-
Tray TIE ueCe6SdEy cAptnoo. >
An amendment to the resolution pro-
viding for the transportation Of the sup
plies by means Of reindeer was adopted.
Hawley moved that the resolution be
referred to the committee on military
affairs, promising that it should have
prompt consideration.
Mcbride, after stating his reasons for
desiring immediate action, said that he
was satisfied with the assurances Of
Hawley. and would consent to the refer
ence Of the resolution. It was therefore
referred.
Davis Of the foreign relations commit
tee called UP the bill prohibiting the
killing Of fur seals in the waters Of the
North Pacific ocean, and presented let
ters from Secretaries Sherman Of the
state department and Gage Of the treas
ury department., favoring the immediate
passage Of the proposed measure. -
Davis explained that the bill was in aid
of furthering diplomatic negotiations.
After explaining the law at present bear
ing upon the fur-seal question, Davis
pointed out that there was now no law
prohibiting pelagic sealing, and that this
shameful admission had to be made by
the representatives of the United States
in the negotiations with other countries
looking to a suspension Of such sealing.
Pettigrew Of South Dakota entered q
sharp protest to the passage Of the bill
which deprived Americans Of the priv.
ileges accorded to other countries. He
thought it was time for the United
States to definitely dispose Of the ques-
tion by killing all of the seals as they
land on the Pribyloff islands. He thought
that the United States had suffered
enough humiliation on account Of the
seal business and he believed that the
proposed law should be amended so that
if Great Britain had not by the list OF
June next agreed to a suspension oS
pelagic sealing this country would xiii
all the seals, male and female. ana thus
settle the question. once for Ill.
Pettigrew then offered an Amendment
to the bill in line with his remarks.
Davis protested against the adoption