The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-02-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
POSTAL APPROPRIATION
BILL PASSED.
1t Carries Over SO5,0OO, OO0-senate
Discusses the Angio-American Arbi-
tratIon Treaty-summary of the
Weeks Congregational Proceedings.

| Feb 1.-THE statue of Abraham Lincoln
in the. old hall of representatives was
draped in the American flag and wreathed
| with flowers in honor of the S8th anniver-
sary of his birth, but the House did not sus-
pend business On the contrary, 1t cele-
| brated the anniversa airy by discussing the
| necessities of the postal service and passing
the postofice appropriation bill. The bill
as passed carries S95, 435,714.
| The Senate passed a resolution offered by
Mr.. Hill of New York requesting Secretary
| Olney to use every effort toward lettering
the condition of Sylvester Scovell, the news
paper correspondent imprisoned in Cuba,
and to insist on all treaty rights to which he
| is entitled Mr.. Morgan, Democrat, of A!a-
| bama, offered resolution for the abroga-
| ton of the Clayton-Bulw treaty. The bill
| was passed authorizing the appointment OF
| an additional judge of the United States
court in the Indian territory Beyond this
| the proceedings of the brief open session,
lasting less than an hour, were of routine
| character. In executive session the arbi-
| tration treaty was further debated.
Feb. 1.-THE Senate spent the greater
| part of the day in executive session debat-
| ing the Anglo-American arbitration treaty.
| The entire time was consumed by Senators
| Turpie and Morgan, the former III advocacy
| of and the latter in opposition to ratification.
| No action was taken on any amendment or
| preciable progress was made. The Senate
| passed the diplomatic and consular appro-
| priation bill and Fixed next Wednesday at
| 4 D. IN. as the time for a final vote on the
| immigration conference report
| The House passed the fortific ations APP
preparation bill with but single amend
ment and made some Roadway with the
postoffice appropriation bill. But the major
ortion of the day was consumed in politi-
cal debate on the financial question which
was presented by an innocent provision in
bill providing for funding the de bit of the
territories After considerable debate the
gold clause was struck out
Feb. Ex-senator Morgan, the champion
of the Nicaragua canal bill, announced in
the Senate his abandonment OF that meas
ure for the present session of Congress- and
thereupon, it was displaced by the bank
ruptcy bill The senator made this move
after protracted contest covering several
weeks, which had disclosed the fact that OBJ
structive opposition could not be overcome.
He gave notice that he would renew his ad-
vocacy of the bill at an early day of the
coming extra session The bankruptcy bill
succeeded to the advantageous position of
unfinished business, " but the debate went
over until tomorrow. The agricultural APP
preparation bill was taken up late in the
day and passed at 50, 255, 500. 1t led to
lively debate, in which Secretary Morton
was sharply criticised by Senators Vest
Chandler, Tillman and others,
The House passed the Senate bill relating
to the carrying of obscene matter by eX-
press companies and 1t has gone to the pres
ident for signature. A fine of not to exceed
Sc. 900 or Imprisonment not to exceed five
years. or both, is the penalty for violation.
Feb 9.--The most important develop
ments concerning the consideration of the
,,-l; tout fran he n n
amendment by Senator Morgan of Alabama
providing for the abrogatiOn of the Clay
ton Bulwer treaty, and the speech by the
same Senator in favor of this proposition
Senator Morgan declared the considerations
which called forth the Clayton Bulwer
treaty had long passed away. 1t was no
longer binding on either nation nor was 1t
of any use or value to this nation, though it
might be of Importance to Great Britain in
case the Nicaragua canal was constructed
Another important amendment was offered
by Senator Bacon of Georgia 1t provides
for a modification of article SO as to re-
lleve the Southern states from any obliga-
ton that might arise under the bonds is
sued in the reconstruction days Mr.. Bacon
sought an opportunity to address the Senate
on the amendment, but was prevented by
the fact that Senator Morgan held the floor
all day.
The House agreed to the final conference
report on the immigration bill by an over
whelming majority, CIT to 49, and passed
two more pension bills over the Presidents
veto. The benehciaries of the pension bills
passed over the veto were both of the class
known as REMARKED widows" Mr.. Cleve-
land has disapproved number of these
bills, but he has also allowed several to be-
come laws without his signature.
Feb. S.-The Anglo American arbitration
treaty was under consideration by the Sen
ate from o'clock until 8: 80. The entire
proceeding was behind closed doors. The
first half of the session was spen. in debat-
ing motion introduced by Senator Hill to
consider the treaty in open session, and the
most animated part of the proceedings was
based upon this matter. The debate was
characterized by several sharp passages at
arms between the author of the motion and
Senators Morgan Lodge and Sherman, the
three last named contending StrenuouSly
for the observance OF the Senatorial custom
of secrecy in dealing with the treaty. 1t
was stated it was the wish of the admins
tration that the public should be excluded
from the debates. The only vote of the day
was secured on the Hill motion, which was
defeated, the count showing only for
it and 40 against The negative
vote was cast by two gold Demo-
Gratis, Hill and Lindsay; two silver
Democrats, Roach and Tillman; two indie
pendent silver RepuDnCanS, Ieller anu Iel-
tigrew; two Populists, PETER and Stewart,
and one straight Republican, Brown At adj
journment the debate was still on.
The House devoted the whole day to Dis
trict of Columbia business and eight bills of
more or less local Importance were passed.
Feb 6.-The session of the Senate accom-
plished little save the passage of bills to
which no objection was made. In the first
part of the day Mr.. Thurston of Nebraska
continued his speech on the Pacific rail-
roads. At o'clock the Nicaragua bill came
up but gave way to the calendar. There
was some discussion of the Cuba resolutions
reported by the committee on fo~eign rel0-
lions when reached, but they went over
without action. At p m. eulogies were de-
livered on the late Representative Cogswell
of Massachusetts,
The House passed the District of Columbia
appropriation BILL and after some routine
at 2:45 adjourned.