The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-17

Census Bill and in the House Under Al.
Appropriation BiIl-A Civil Pension List
Suggested Christmas Holiday Resolution
SENATE.
Washington, December 15.-The pro-
ceedings of the senate were eniivened
today by an interesting debate upon
the bill presented by the foreign re-
Iatfons committee providing for the
prohibition of pelagic scaling by Ameri-
cans. The provisions of the measure
were explained by Senator Davis,
chairman Of the foreign relations COM
mittee who said that it was in aid of
negotiations now pending among the
representatives of the governments of
the United States, Great Britain, Rus
sia and Japan
Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota,
sharply antagoniZed the measure, say
ing this country had already suffered
more than enough humilia ton on ac-
count of the seal business and he IA
vored the settlement Of the question 10y
killing all of the seals, as they ap-
peared at the roOkeries OF the Briby-
loft island and by the 1st of June next,
Great Britain also had not agreed to
the prohibition of pelagic sealing. He
offered an amendment to that effect
bu. it was defeated. The bill was
passed by a vote of thirty-seven to
fourteen. The session closed with a
spirited civil service debate upon the
bill presented by the census committee
providing for the appointment of a
dire of the and fhirtV-twO
employees VINO should form the skele-
ton OF an office force for the twelfth
census.
The concurrent resolution adopted by
the house, providing for a recess of con-
gress from Saturday, December IS,
1897, to Wednesday, January 5, 1898,
was laid before the senate and referred
to the committee on appropriations.
Senator Mcbride, of Oregon, called
UP his resolution authorizing the Sec
retary of war to purchase food and
supplies and to transport such sup
plies as may be offered for the relief of
the American miners and other suffer-
ers in the valley of Yukon river in
Alaska, and appropriating s250,O0O to
defray the necessary expenses. An
amendment to the resolution providing
for the transportation of the supplies
by means of reindeerS was adopted.
The resolution was referred to the cCm-
mittee on military affairs, Senator
Hawley, it's chairman, promising it
should have prompt consideration.
By agreement, the bill to provide for
the twelfth and subsequent census was
then taken up to enable Senator Lodge,
of Massachusetts, to submit some re
marks upon it. He said that he had
always been and was now a friend OF
bo cix 1ou
land had, at the close of his admins
tration, made an enormous extension
of the classified service, placing about
40, 900 persons, without examination,
under it's protection. Naturally, such
action SO late in the last administra-
tiOn, had put the present administra
tiOn under a great strain, but it is sat-
isfactory to note, said Senator Lodge
that President Mckinley has bravely
and courageously dealt with the ques-
ton at the beginning of his admins
tration, instead Of waiting until it's
conclusion, as was the practice of his
predecessor.
Senator Garter closed the debate by
announcing that he would press the
measure to a vote as soon after the
holiday recess as possible.
The senate then, on motion Of Sena-
tor Quay, of Pennsylvania, went into
executive session and few minutes
afterward adjourned.
HOUSE OF PERSONALITIES.
At the opening of the session a reso-
luton for the holiday recess from Sat-
| urday, December 18th to Wednesday,
January 5th, offered by Mr.. Dingley,
| from the committee on ways and
means, was adopted.
The house went into committee of the
whole and resumed the consideration
| Of the legislative, executive and judic-
| ial appropriation bill. Mr.. Livingston,
democrat, of Georgia, submitted some
| general remarks in opposition to the
| civil service law, which he denounced
| as a humbug and fraud.
| Mr.. De Armand, democrat, Of Mis-
souri,, under the latitude allowed in de-
bate on appropriation bills, followed
with an impassioned speech reproach-
ing the majority for not voting upon
the Cuban belligerency resolution pass
ed by the senate at the last session
His remarks were given added inn
pOrtance, in view of the action of the
| democratic caucus last night declaring
| for an aggressive support of the recOg-
milton of Cuban bellgerency. He de-
| clared that he could not be mistaken
in his belief that the American people
without distinction of party, sympa-
| thiZed with the Cuban cause. The wa,
| on the island had been characterized or
| the one hand by heroism, devoted t.
the cause of freedom and independence
| and on the other hand by all the cruel.
| ly and devastation of the darkest ages
| of the world. The triumph of tyranny
in Cuba, he said, would prove a men.
| ace to liberty the world over and ir
| conclusion, amid a round of democratit
applause, he appealed to the majority
to give the house an opportunity OF
| voting on that resolution.
The debate then drifted back to this
civil service question and Mr. Moody
| repub blican, of Massachusetts,, called
attention to what he termed the lex.
traordinary proposition advocated by
Assistant Secretary of the Treasur,
| IVanderlip, to establish in the treasur,
department. what in effect would be q
civil pension list. IF this system
(which We support is to lead to the es-
tablishment of a civil pension list
| said he impreSSiyely then f1he peonIt