The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-14
SESSION OF THE SENATORS.
IMMIGRATION BILL GOES OVER UN-
TIL JAN. II.

Committee Assignments of Some of
the Democratic Senators Rear
rnnged-ChapInin Nilburn Makes
Touching Reference to the Death
of the Presidents Mother - The
Measure Prohibiting the Taking of
Fur Seals in the North Pacific
Ocean Goes Over Until To-day.
Washington, Dec. 13.-Mr. Lodge of
Massachusetts made an effort in the Sen
ate to-day to secure an immediate vote
upon his immigration bill, which is SUBJ
stantially the same measure that was pass
ed by the Fifty-fourth congress, and We
toed by President Cleveland. Mr.. Allen
of Nebraska objected to an immediate vote
and suggested that the final vote on the
amendments and the bill be taken on Mon
day. Jan. II, at 8 p. m. This suggestion
was accepted by Mr.. Lodge and the order
for a vote at that time was made.
Mr.. German chairman of the democratic
steering committee, presented an order,
which was adopted, re-arranging some of
the committee assignments of some of the
democratic members made necessary by
the incoming of some new members.
Chaplain Milburn in his Invocation at
the opening of the Senate made touching
reference to the death of Mrs. Mckinley.
He expressed thanks for the assurance of
immortality and hoped that this comfort
ing truth might come home to the Presl-
dent and his household as they stand be-
side the coffin of the beloved mother, who
has lain aside the garments of flesh to
stand by the Great Ruler of the universe.
He begged that they might be sus tanned in
their affection and might join her. who
had gone before, when they entered that
realm where there is neither sorrow nor
pain.
Mr.. Davis, chairman of the committee
on foreign relations, called up the bin
prohibiting the taking of fur seals in the
North Pacific ocean, but upon suggestion
of Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota, who
said he desired to offer some amendments,
the measure went over till tomorrow.
A bill was passed for a public building
at Durham, S. c., to cost $125.0O0.
Mr. Pettigrew called up the bill granting
to settlers the right to make second
homestead entries 1t gave all persons
who were not at the time owners Of land
acquired under the homestead law the
right to make second homestead entries.
Each person would be entitled to acquire
100 acres of land. The bill was passed.
Mr. Butler of North Carolina spoke a
length upon amendments he had offered
to the bill, which he had previously intro
duced providing for postal savings bank
system. Such a system would, in his
opinion, insure greater comfort in the
homes of the plain people of the land as
a great majority of them would certainly
become depositors in such banks. This
would cultivate among them thrift ana
economy and enable them easily to pro-
vide for themselves in illness and old age.
AS another argument in favor of such
system. Mr.. Butler declared if the system
was established, there would never be
another issue of bonds by the government
in time of peace. 1t would give men of
small means an opportunity to increase
their capital, would place a greater amount
of money in circulation and affords beue
fits to all the people of incalculable value
Mr.. German of Maryland of the demo-
cratic steering committee, presented an
order making some changes in the demo-
cratic representation on the standing COM
mittees of the Senate. The order provided
that Mr.. Jones of Arkansas be appointed
chairman of the committee on private
idnQS, MT. DdDlel, chairman OIL lne COul-
mittee on corporations in the District OF
Columbia; Mr. Turple, chairman of the
committee to investigate the condition of
the Potomac river front al Washington;
Mr.. Berry, chairman of the committee on
woman suffrage; Mr.. Gray, chairman of
the committee additional accommoda-
tons for the library of congress; Mr.
Pasco of Florida, chairman of the COM
mittee the five civilized tribes of In
dams.
Other senators were assigned to commit
tees as follows Mr.. Daniel of Virginia, on
finance; Mr. Mills of Texas, to commerce; ;
Mr.. Pettus of Alabama, to the judiciary :;
N. German of Maryland to the District
of Columbia; Mr.. Mallory of Florida, to
public health and national quarantine; Mr.
Walthall of Mississippi, to rules Mr.
Money of Mississippi, to agriculture and
forestry, railroads, postoffices and post
roads, public buildings and grounds and
geological survey; MIR. Turley of Tennes-
see to private land claims, privileges and
elections, transportation routes to the sea-
board education, labor and patents
The order was adopted without debate
The immigration bill the unfinished
business of the Senate, was called up by
Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts, the author
of the measure. and a vote asked for i'm
nedately. Objection was made by Mr.
Allen, pop, of Nebraska, as he desired
time for further consideration of some
features of it. He suggested that Monday
JAN II be fixed as the date for the taking
of the final vote on the measure.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire then
asked unanimous consent that the bill
remain the unfinished business until 3 o.
m. Jan. II, when a final vote on the bill
and its amendments is to be taken. This
was agreed to-
Mr.. Wilson of Washington presented a
resolution directing the civil service COM
mittee to transmit to the Senate a state
ment by fiscal years since 1890, showing
the total number of persons examined. the
total number passed and the total num-
Der appointed in the several branches of
the government service and the total
number of persons on the eligible list of
the several branches of the civil service
at the beginning of each of these fiscal
years. The resolution was agreed to.
AT 4:4O o'clock the Senate adjourned
CONTRACT LABOR IMMIGRATION.