The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-03-18
WORK OF CONGRESS.
THE WEEKS DOlNGS IN SENATE
AND HOUSE.
A Com prehensiye Digest Of the Pro.
ccedinGs in the Legislative Cham
bers at washington-Matte that
Concern the People.
Lawmakers Mt Labor.


out day Thursday. In the Senate agree
ment was unanimous to resolutions ex-
pressing the appreciation of the Senate for
the able and impartial discharge of the
duties of presiding officer by Mr.. Steven
son. and by Mr.. Frye, president pro tenn.
Mr.. Hoar announced that the committee
of Congress had waited on the President
and that he had asked them to convey
his organizations on the close of their
labors. There was anxious awaiting for
the announcement that the President had
signed the remaining appropriation bills.
But it did not come. Gradually the iden-
tity of the Senate was merged into the
more striking features of the Inauguration
ceremony, and the session came to a close
without further legislative business. The
genera! deficiency bill failed in confer
ence. and the agriculture, sundry civil
and Indian appropriation bills failed of
executive approval. The House was still
in the legislative day of Tuesday when
it adjourned without day. The closing
hours were uneventful. The statement
had worked hard all night to get the sun
dry civil. Indian and agricultural bills to
the president, only to have them pocket
vetoed" while the general deficiency bill
failed of passage because the House re-
fused TO subscribe to the $500, 900 of
Bowman claims which the Senate insist
ed upon. Mr.. McAlillin of Tennessee,
with few appropriate remarks, offered
a resolution of thanks to the Speaker for
his impartiality as a presiding officer,
which was unanimously adopted by ris-
ing vote. AS Speaker Reed mounted the
rostrum the members rose and cheered
valiantly. He acknowledged the warm
reception and then delivered his parting
address. With a whack of the gavel at
l1:56 he then declared the House ad-
journed without day and the members
hurried over 20 the Senate to participate
in the ceremonies there.
The Senate went into executive session
promptly upon the receipt of the Cabinet
nominations, and as soon as the announce
ment was made of the appointment of
Senator Sherman, whose name headed
the list, he was confirmed. 1t is the prac-
tice to refer all nominations to committee,
but it was the desire of MIR. Sheman's
friends to signalize their regard for him
by immediate action. There was more
form than reality in the reference of the
other nominations to committee. Not one
of the committees held formal meeting,
ate in every instance. No objection was
made in committee to confirmation. While
the Senate was in legislative session the
credentials of Mr.. Hanna us Senator from
Ohio. to succeed Mr.. Sherman, were pre-
sented by Mr.. Foraker and he was sworn
in by Vice President Hobart Mr.. Davis
was also designated acting chairman of
the Committee on Foreign Relations to
Np
notification to the President, nothing fur
ther was done.
Most of the new Senators we're on the
floor when Vice President Hobart called
the Senate to order at noon Monday. The
other Senators were not so prompt in
making their appearance. The galleries.
save that reserved for the diplomatic
corps, were thronged with curious visitors.
AS soon as the blind chaplain had de-
livered his invocation, Mr.. Pruden, the
Presidents executive clerk. appeared
with the nomination of Oscar A. James. of
Michigan, as pension agent at Detroit,
which was afterward confirmed. The last
communication of ex-Secretary Lamont,
transmitting certain papers called for by
resolution of inquiry, was laid before
the Senate. The Vice President submit
ted some resolutions of the New York
Chamber of Commerce praying for the
early ratification and passage of the ar
bitration treaty. At 1912 p. m.. on mo-
ton of Mr.. Burrows (Rep.) of Michigan.
The Senate went into executive session.
The remainder of the session was de-
voted 10 executive business and at 1:OJ
p. IN. the Senate adjourned until Wednes-
Jay.
There was an unusually large attend
ance of Senators when Vice President
Hobart called the Senate to order at
noon Wednesday. The first business was
the reading of letter from Gov. Brad
ley, of Kentucky. announcing the ap-
pointmcnt of Andrew 7. Wood as Sena-
tor to succeed Mr.. Blackburn. Mr.. Hoar
moved that the Senator-elect be sworn in.
Mr.. German moved that the credentials
of MIR. Wood be referred to the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections. Mr..
Hoar did not object, and the ere
dentials were referred. Then Mr..
Hoar presented written notice of two
proposed amendments to the rules of the
Senate of radical nature. The most
important was. according to Mr.. Hoar's
written notice. ''to enable the Senate to
act on legislation when it desires after
reasonable debate" 1t provided that
when any bill or resolution had been un-
der consideration more than one day any
Senator could demand that the debate be
closed. If n majority of the Senators so
decided there should be a vote without
further delay and no action should be
in order pending the vote but one to ad-
journ or to take 4 recess. The other
amendment proposed was to prevent the
interruption of the members of the SEN
ate and provided that when Il Senator
made the point of mo quorum there
should be a roll call. and if the presence
of quorum was disclosed business
should be proceeded with. On motion of
Mr.. Aldrich Rep.), of Rhode Island: the
Senate went into executive sessio. at
1915. AT 1910 p. nj. the special session
adjourned sine die.
Told in a Few Lines.