Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-12-23
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS

Washington, Dec. 15.-The senate
enjoyed an interesting debate upon
the bill presented by the foreign re-
lations committee providing for pro-
Eibition of pelagic sealing by Amer
leans. The provisions Of the measure
were explained by Nj. Davis, chair
man Of the committee, who said it
was in aid OF the negotiations now
pending among representatives of the
governments of the United States,
Great Britain, Russia and Japan. Mr.
Pettigrew (rep., S. d. sharply an
tagonized the measure, saying that
this country had already suffered
more than enough humiliation on &C.
count Of the seal business and that he
favored a settlement OF the question
by killing all seals, as they appeared
at the rookeries Of the PribyloH
islands, IL by the first of June next
Great Britain also had not agreed to
prohibition of pelagic sealing. He
then ordered an amendment to that
effect. After further debate this
amendment was defeated and the bill
passed, 81 to a.
Mr.. Mcbride (rep, Ore.) endeavored
to secure the adoption Of his resolution
directing the secretary of war to sup
ply relief to the suffering miners in
the Klondike region and appropriatlng
$250,000 for that purpose. The resor-
ton was amended so that supplies
might be transported by means OF
reindeer. Mr.. Mcbride consented fin
ally that the resolution should be re-
committed to the military affairs com
mittee with the understanding that 1t
would be promptly reported.
Washington, Dec. 15.-The mousse
spent the day in consideration or the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill. Eighty-nine OF the
l12 pages OF the bill were covered ana
only one amendment of Importance
was adopted That reduced the cler-
ical force at the pension ONCE 20,
involving reduction OF $l5O,0O0 IN
salaries. The civil service question
was the chief topic OF discussion ana
the proposition of assistant secretary
of the treasury, Vanderlip, to retire
clerks for age was made the text OF
denunciation by Mr.. Moody (rep.,
Mass.). Mr.. Moody who is one OF the
defenders of the civil service law
called attention to what he termed
the extraordinary proposition au-
vocated by the assistant secretary OF
the treasury in an interview publlshed
Wednesday morning. In the inter-
view Mr.. Moody said Vanderllp pro-
nosed to establish in the treasury oe-
rartment what in effect Weuld ne
civil pension list. AS one Oh Inose
who believed in the merit system, he
thought that congress ought to meet
this proposition at the Threshold "a
this system which we support IS W
lead TO the establishment OF a CIVIL
nension list" said he impressively,
then the people ought to wipe 1t out
of existence" general applause). AS
friend of civil service reform, sfliu
he. 81 say it's worst enemies are hoI
those who are fighting it in the open
like Mr.. Grosvenor, but men like the
author of this proposition who sits IN
the cabinet by the side of President
Mckinley" (applause) Mr.. Johnson
(rep., Ind) thought that Vanderlip's
proposition violated the spirit and
that the government was not con-
Quoted for the purpose OF providing
for mon in their old age. They
should DO as others did-provide for
a rainy day. Finally the debate sub
sided. Mr.. Dearmond (dem., Mo- re-
preached the majority for not voting
upon the Cuban belligerency reso-
luton passed by the senate at the last
season. His remarks were given added
Importance in view of The action
of the democratic caucus declaring
for an aggressive support of recog-
milton of Cuban belligerency.