The herald., 1897-01-06
Proceedings IN
SENATE AND HOUSE
Rested Legislators Re-
sumo Their Lab0rs
The CUBAN RESOLUTIONS GO OVER
With Notice OF Speeches to te
Delivered
DEATH PENALTY ABOLISHED
Except in Case OF the Five Offers
Specified
Bills and Resolutions Introduced and Referred
to Committee
Except in Case of the Five Offers S
Specified
Bills and Resolutions Introduced and Referred
to Committee
The House Devotes the Day to Discus
sion of Loud's Proposed Postal Re-
forms, and Will Vote on the
Measure Today
Associated Press Special Wire

AsSCCldtSo ItcSS SOecldl SsIS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The senate
today passed the house bill abolishing
the death penalty in a large number
OF cases. The measure is in the line of
recent state laws abofishing capital
punishment and applies the same to
Federal offensss. although the change
is not extended to a total abolition of
the death penalty. The present laws,
which have come down from colonial
times, have a sangunary aspect and
prescribe death for offenses of various
characters. The bill passed today re-
duces the offenses to FIVE. viz. treason.
rape, murder and two offenses applica-
BILE to the army and navy. In all other
offenses hard labor for life is substitu-
ted as the maximum punishment, and
even in cases Of murder and rape hard
labor may be substituted IL the jury
states In its verdict without capital pun
ishment."
AS the bill passed the house after
long crusade by Representative Curtis
of New York, and is amended but
slightly by the senate, 1t is likely to go
to the president when the minor disa-
greements are arranged in rconference.
During the day Mr.. Call Ola, Dem>
introduced resolutions calling for infor-
nation as to the condemn ton of Julio
Sanguilly at Havana to life imprison-
ment and also directing the secretary
of state to demand Sanguilly's immedi-
ate release. Mr.. PETER (Kas.. PopD de-
Mvered a speech in support of his reso-
luton for national monetary commits
sion.
The senate reassembled at noon, the
attendance being somewhat meageT
Among the bills introduced was one by
Pefier of kansas Ito improve the bank
Ing business and one by Shoup of Ida
no as to alien ownership of land in ter
r:tories.
The first reference to Cuba was in two
resolutions offered by Call Of Florida.
The first requests the president to send
to the senate, in secret or open session,
as he may deem best, all the reports re-
latlrg to the condemnation to life i'm
prisonment in chains by the Spanish au-
thorities at Havana of Sanguilly and
other American citizens. The second
rec!tes the circumst stances of Sanguilly's
trial and condemnation and directs the
secretary of state 10 demand his imme-
tsiate release" The resolutions went
over. Call stating he would speak on
them.
Pettlgrew of South Dakota offered a
resolution. which was agreed to, asking
the secretary of the treasury for infor-
nation as to the Bering sea seal fish
cries. particularly as to why only $1,000
was yielded the government in 1896 for
the privilege OF taking $50, 900 sealskins.
Peffer then addressed the senate on his
resolution for commission of five SEN
ators to Investigate the entire monetary
subject and report within a year. Pef-
fer's speech dealt largely with the het-
erogeneous character of our various
Kinds of money and the uncertainties
of the present financia, system.
AT the close of Mr. Peffers speech his
resolution was referred to the finance
committee.
A message from the president was re-
celVcd. transmitting the report of the
secretary OF state concerning the death
OF Charles Goving In Cuba.
NE bill providing for free homesteads
IN Oklahoma for bona f1de settlers. which
mas the right Of way as unfinished
puslness.' was laid aside until tonlor-
row.
Mr. Hoar then called up the bill "to
reduce the cases in which the penalty
or death be inflicted"
After brief discussion the bill was
passed as reported.
Mr. Proctor Republican of Vermont,
gave notice that he would speak next
MONDAY on his resolution extending the
presidential term to six years and fixing
the term of members of the house of rep
resentatives at three years.
AL 2:2o pm. the senate adjourned.