Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-14
FIFTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January IA.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The army appropriation bill was re-
ported and placed on the calendar. j..
The printing of $500 extra copies OF
the Anglo.American arbitration treaty,
and of 1000 extra copies of the memo
randum recently presented by Mr.. Hale
as to the right of recognizing foreign
governments was ordered.
A bill for the classification of first
class and second-class postoffice clerks
was introduced by Mr.. Cullom and was
referred.
Mr.. Cullom also offered resolution
which was agreed to, requiring the
United States civil service commission
to inform the Senate whether the an
nual reports of the commission were
forwarded to the President, and if not,
the reasons for the neglect.
Mr.. Morgan offered a resolution,
which went over, reciting the allega-
tions that certain of the Pacific rail
road bonds have fallen due and are un-
paid, and that, by reason of non.pay
ment, the property of the railroad com.
panies became the property of the
United States and now rightfully be.
longs to the United States; and direct
ing the committee on the judiciary to
examine into the matter and to ascer-
tain whether the Union Pacific Com
pany has any lawful right or equity of
redemption in such property.
The House bill for free homesteads
on public lands acquired from Indians
was taken up as the unfinished business
and was advocated by Mr.. Jones and
Mr.. Teller.
Mr.. Teller made an imprisoned ap
peal for the passage of the bill. The
policy of the republican party, he said,
in its earlier days, when it was q party
of the people, had been for free homes
and free soil; and both parties had de-
clared in the last election, in both their
great conventions, for the identical bill
| before the Senate. 'And, now" he
continued, "the Senator from Connect
cut, Mr.. Plat, says that he is not obi
gated, and that no Senator is obligated
to support the platform of his party.
The great danger to the republic is not
that you have too many farmers, but
that you have too many men in facto
res, mines and mills. The fathers Of
the republic saw the danger"
Mr.. Pettigrew said that fourteen
million voters, at the last election, had
voted in favor of the homestead bill.
"Yes," Mr.. Platt said, disdainfully,
"and fourteen million voted that there
should be delegate in Congress from
Alaska
On motion of Mr.. Hale it was order
ed that when the Senate adjourn to-
day it be to meet on Monday next.
HOUSE.
When the House met this morning
many members waited impatiently in
their seats for business to begin. Each
had printed copy of some bill in his
hand, eagerly hoping to get it through
under the unanimous consent rule.
When the journal had been read n
score of members were on their feet
crying for recognition and business
went along merrily for while. A
number of private pension and other
minor bills were passed.
Mr.. Fitzgerald secured the passage Of
a resolution calling on the secretary of
the navy for an estimate on the cost of
putting the frigate Constitution in con-
dtion to make the journey from Ports
mouth, N. H., to Washington, to be
used as q naval museum.
A bill increasing to $50 the pension
of Martha GUSTS Carter, widow of Rear
Admiral S. P. Carter, U. S. N, went
through without objection, but later on
Mr.. Loud stated that if his attention
had not been distracted at the time the
bill was read he would have objected to
it,as ne had consistently done with regard
to all measures making extraordinary
increases of pension to widows of Off
GERS. He trusted that in future gentle
men on the floor would not distract
him at such times.
The bill, discussed yesterday, to make oieo-
margarine and all other imitation dairy pro-
ducts subject to the laws of the State or
Territory into which they are transported
was called up by Mr.. CIRCUIT and discussed by
Mcssrs Cooper and Tucker in opposition and
Messrs. Northway aud Morse in favor of it.