The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-01-20
Congressional Proceedings.

"WEDNESDAY, Jan. BIN the Senate Mr.
Morrill, OF Vermont, from the library COM
mittee, reported concurrent resolution
that the new library building shall not be
used or occupied for any purposes other
than those legitimately connected with the
library. He explained, in reply TO ques-
ton by Mr. Hale, of Maine, that the pur-
pose was not only to prevent the use OF the
library building for Inauguration purposes,
but for all other but library purposes. Mr..
Hale OF Maine, objected to the immediate
consideration of the resolution, and it went
over. Mr.. Bacon, Of Georgia, addressed the
Senate for two hours on the resolution offer
ed last week by Mr.. Mills, democrat, of
Texas, asserting the authority of Congress
in the recognition of foreign governments
and recognizing the independence, OF the
republic of Cuba. 1t is undeniable, he
said, that all legislative powers are vested
by the constitution in Congress, except as
modified by the presidents right OF veto,
and therefore the test of whether the recog-
milton Of a government belonging to the ex-
ecutive or to Congress was whether such
recognition would make that law which was
not law before. II it did, then the power
lay in Congress and not in the executive.
He argued that the recognition OF new
power did create new legal status, and
was therefore exclusively within the prov
| ton was again ordered to lie. - In the
| House Mr.. Wadsworth OF New York called
| up the House bill to make oleOmargarine
and all other imitation dairy products sub
| ject!to the laws OF the state or territory into
which they are transported. This measure
was opposed by Mr.. Williams Of Mississippi
and Mr.. Cook of Illinois, and favored by
Mr.. Grout of Vermont. When the bill
| came to vote no quorum was present. The
agricultural appropriation bill was present.
ed to the House by Mr.. Wadsworth, chair
man OF the committee on agriculture. 1t
ioft nf in
crease of $1O2,780 over the amount appro-
priated for the current fiscal year. The
| only material increase is under the head OF
the bureau OF animal industry and is intend
ed to allow the extension OF meat inspec-
| ton. For the purchase and distribution
| of valuable seeds" an appropriation Of
| $4,000 is made and the secretary lis di-
rected to expend the appropriation.
THuRsDAY.-In the Senate the army ap-
preparation bill was reported back from the
| committee on appropriation, and placed on
the calendar. Mr.. Cullom of Illinois secur-
ed the adoption of a resolution calling on
| the Civil Service Commission for infOrma-
| ton as to whether it had submitted an
nual reports for 1895 and 1896, in accord
| ance with law, and if not to give the reasons
| for such failure and neglect. Mr.. Chandler
| of New Hampshire secured the adoption OF
a resolution directing the committee on
| Interstate commerce to extend its inquiries
as to alleged combinations, heretofore Or
| dered, to an inquiry as to the reported re-
| cent agreement Of the managers of vessels
on the great lakes to maintain rates estab-
lished by the Joint Traffic Association.
The bill for free homesteads on public lands
acquired from the Indians was partially
| discussed, and the Senate adjourned until
| Monday. - The time OF the House was
taken up in the transaction of routine bust
| ness. Several private pension bills were
passed. A resolution by Mr.. Fitzgerald of
| Moa oh To WI a QH w IN
the Secretary OF the Navy for an estimate OF
| the money which would be required to
place the frigate Constitution, now lying at
the Portsmouth Navy Yard, in such sea-
worthy condition as would enable her to
make the trip from Portsmouth to Washing
ton. Mr.. Fitzgerald spoke briefly Of the
matchless record Of the old Constitution
and the memories which chung about her.
He said she was now in danger of sinking
at her dock. The object Of bringing her to
Washington, he said, was TO preserve and
| use her as a naval museum. He presented,
| in &C nue. ction with the resolution a memo
rial of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
FRIDAY.-The Senate was not in session.
| - In the House the consideration OF
private pension bills was in order. An in
teresting fight developed over senate bill
granting pension OF 800 per month to
Mrs. Fannie:Gibbon, widow Of Gen. John
Gibbon. Mr.. Tracey, Republican, of Mis-
souri, offered an amendment reducing the
amount to 1901 per month. This was warmly
opposed by Mr.. Curtis Of New York, who
made eulogistic reference to the services OF
Gen. Gibbon. Mr. Grosvener Of Ohio was
also against the reduction. He said, in an
swer to Mr.. Willis Of Delaware, who had
protested against Discrimination in favor OF
widows OF distinguished officers, that 30 out
of every 100 privates OF the late war would
vote to give Mrs. Gibbon the whole amount
The amendment was lost and the bill was
passed.