The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-17
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Nearly $50 Bills and Resolutions IN
trOduced-The Florida SenatOrshfp.

WASHINGTON March 16.-In the Senate
to-day 43s bills and eight joint resolutions
were introduced. They embraced nearly
every phase of public business. Mr.. Aliens
bunch of bills numbered about seventy-hve.
They included bills directing the foreclosure
of the government lien on the Union Pa
cific Railroad, to prevent professional lob
bying, defining the powers OF the judiciary,
for service pensions, etc. Bills introduced
by Mr. Hale related TO cable between the
United States Hawaii and Japan and TO the
twelfth census.
There was a general laugh at ore of the
pension bills of Mr.. White, of California
for the relief of William j. Bryan. MIR.
Lodges bills included those to amend the
immigration laws and for a Hawaiian ca
ble Bankruptcy bills were presented by
Mr. Nelson. of Minnesota, and Mr. Lindsay.
of Kentucky. Mr.. Morgan reintroduced the
Nicaragua canal bill before the last Con-
gress. and also a joint resolution to abro-
gate the Clayton-B -Bulwer treaty.
Numerous bills relating to the Pacific
Railroads were presented, including that
of Mr. Morgan to create a board of trus-
tees for the Union Pacific and Central Pa
cifc Railroad Companies. One of Mr..
Thurston's bills provided for the increase or
all pensions.
A resolution by MI. Frye, OF Maine, call
ing for information as TO the operation of
the civil-service rules TO river and harbor
work was agreed to, after some criticism
of civil-service operations. Mr.. Cockrell
asked if the resolution were step towards
abolishing the civil-service rules. Mr.. Frye
said IL was step towards abolishing these
rules far as they related TO labor on
engineering work of the government. The
President had extended the civil-seryice
rules TO all classes or labor. 80 that an
engineer officer way up on the Columbia
river who wanted laborer for river and
ice Commission. 1T IL interfering with all
manner of public work. declared Mr. Frye,
''and IL is absolutely absurd and stupid.
The chaplain's prayer referred to the dew
astating Mississippi floods and besought
divine Intervention and public assistance
for the sufferers. The Presidents message.
which had been laid on the table after be-
ing read yesterday. was referred to the COM
mittee on finance. on motion of Mr.. Nor
rill, the chairman of that committee All
the measures introduced were referred TO
the several committees. with one exception.
the bill pensioning the widow OF BriSadier
General Stevenson at $50 per molth. which
was passed being the first bill passed at
the extra session
Several hours were spent early in the day
son. appointed by the Governor of Florida
TO fill the temporary vacancy from that
State. The debate was largely of "A legal
and technical character concerning the
precedents on admitting senators. The case
finally was referred TO the committee on
privileges and elections. where the case of
Mr.. Corbett. of Oregon, and Mr.. Wood. of
Kentucky. are pending. The Senate ad-
journed over TO Thursday. so that neither
branch of Congress VIII ps so IN session to-
executive session, and, at 3:27 p. m, ad-
iourned until Thursday.