The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-03-11
SENATE AND HOUSE.
WORK OF OUR NATIONAL LAW.
MAKERS.
A Weeks Proceedings in the Halls Of
COngress-Important Measures Dis
used and Acted Upon-An Ina par.
tial Resume OF the Business.
The National SolOus.

The National Solons.
When the naval appropriation bill first
came up in the Senate Monday after
noon Mr.. Chandler stated that he would
move later to increase the appropriation
for torpedo boats or decrease the number
provided. All the other items were agreed
to without comment except that relating
to cost of armor. establishment of Govern
ment armor plant, ETC., which occasioned
extended debate. The Chandler amend
ment reducing the price of armor plate to
$500 a ton was adopted without a divis-
ion. Another, to reduce the total of con-
tracts authorized to $2,407, 500, to CORE
spond with the reduction per ton, was
adopted. The amendment authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to establish a Gov
eminent armor plate factory at a cost of
S1.5OO,OOO if he failed to make contracts
was lost. The naval bill was passed at
midnight, and although Mr.. Chandler
tried to call up the international none
tary conference bill the Senate adjourned.
In the House the bill to prohibit the trans
mission of detailed counts of prize fights
by mail or telegraph led to a very lively
skirmish, in which prize fighting was de-
/ uuC vi all SlOC5. oul III jill moC
with most strenuous opposition on the
ground that it would tend to establish a
censorship of the press, and was finally
sidetracked. A bill was passed to pro-
vide for the transmission to Washington
of presidential election returns by mail.
The bill abolishes the system of messen-
gers now employed.
In the Senate Tuesday the fertilization
bill was passed, as wa also the deficiency
appropriation bill, after amendment to
keep the 81, 80 ,427 claim of the Southern
Pacific Company in the treasury until
final adjustment of the Government lein
upon that corporation. The House amend
ments to the international monetary con-
ference bill were agreed to, and the bill
sent to the President. The President sent
to the House a veto message upon the
immigration bill, his principal objection
being to the educational clause; the Presi-
dent holds that the worse class of immi-
grants is not found among the illiterate.
The day in the House was one of routine
work.
The House Thursday, by a vote of 1913
to 81, OVERRIDE the veto of the immigra-
ton bill. The conference report on the
postofice appropriation bill was agreed to.
Then the fight on the naval bill was re-
newed, the price of armor plate being
the matter at issue. The Senate amend
ments to reduce the price from 1858 to
$500 and to build three torpedo boats and
a practice boat, were agreed to. The In
dian bill, District of Columbia appropria-
ton bill, and the sundry civil bill were
accepted as they came from conference.
The Senate's work was confined to clos
ing business, and the measures considered
by the House were the only ones in hand.
All of them went to the President as
the House accepted them.
Both Senate and House adjourned with
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 congratulations 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
general 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 sum-
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, 600 of
Bowman claims which the Senate insist
ed upon. Mr.. McMillin of Tennessee.
with q few appropriate remarks, offered
q resolution of thanks to the Speaker for
his impartiaEty as a presiding officer,
which was unanimously adopted by a ris-
ing vote. AS Speaker Reed mounted the
rostrum taa members rose and cheered
v~aliantiy. He acknowledged the warm
reception and then delivered his parting
address. With q Whack of the gavel at
ll:o6 he thea declared the House adj
journea without day and the members
hurried over to 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 prae-
tice to refer all nominations to committee,
but it was the desire Of Mr.. 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 a formal meeting.
they being polled oil the floor of the SEN
ate In every instance. No objection was
made in committee to confirmation. While
the Senate was in legislative session the
credentials of Mr.. Hanna as Senator from
Ohio, to succeed Mr.. Sherman, were pre-
scented by Mr.. Foraker and he was sworn
in by Vice-President Hapart. Mr.. Davis
was also designated acting chairman of
the Committee Oh Foreign Relations to
succeed Mr. Sherman. Beyond the usual
notification to the President. nothing fnr