Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-01
A Stubborn Contest in the Senate
Over the Duties.
PETlTl0y AGAINST The BEER TAX.
Japan Wants Hawaii-Caucus OF Re-
publican senators WOodford to Get
POsted--Greer County Settlers.


feet of the duties in advancing rates.
Many amendments We're proposed to
reduce the rates, but these were re-
jected by decisive ma jorities Less
than five pages were disposed of during
the day, carrying the senate through
paragraph $40, the first of the
paragraphs relating to carpets.
During the day Senator CAT
ferry, of Louisiana, spoke for two
hours against the protection system
and severely arraigned those demo-
cratic senator's who voted for duties on
wool and other raw materials, lie
also took occasion to crticise senator's
for debating like schoolboys on tech
nicalites to the bill. 1t was "rot and
nonsense to sit here day after day and
discuss this hill" He wanted to see it
passed as soon as possible, that it
might be exposed as the gigantic fail
ure of the age
Senator Spooner, acting for Senator
Cullom in the latter's absence from
the senate chamber, presented petit
ton to the senate signed by l03, 900 cit
liens of Chicago protesting against the
proposed increase in the tax on beer.
The petition filed wooden box, two
by three feet in size, and was carried out
of the senate chamber by two men.
Resolutions of regret were passed on
the death of Representative Cooke, OF
Illinois, and committee of five SEN
ators was named as an escort
An air of gloom pervaded the house
yesterday owing to the death of Mr.
Cooke, Of Illinois, who died suddenly
at his hotel in the morning. He was
very popular with his colleagues, and
his untimely death was a severe shock
to them. The desk which he occupied.
on the extreme right of the hall, was
draped in mourning and covered with
white roses and magnolia blossoms.
The blind chaplain in his invocation
referred feelingly to Mr.. Cookies death
as great public calamity. After the
reading of the journal, the speaker an
nounced the reception Of an invitation
from the present Belgian chamber
of deputies to the members of the
house to attend the international, par.
parliamentary conference in favor of
arbitration, which commences August
g. Mr. Foss, of Illinois, on behalf of
TIL \ delegation, then announced the
saN news of the death of his colleague,
Mr.. Cooke. The customary resolutions
were adopted and a committee to at
tend the funeral was appointed. Then
as a further mark Of respect, the house
adjourned till Monday.
JAPAN WANTS HAWAII.
WASHINGTON, June %. --lIawaiians
in Washington insist that the reason
for the protest Of Japan against an
neXaton is that Japan really desires
to acquire the islands herself. The
main point of contention between
Japan and Hawaii over the treaty be-
tween the two countries. it is learned,
is as to the wording Of the treaty
which Hawaii seeks to abrogate. This
treaty has a provision that it NAV
be terminated at any time by
mutual consent" This is con
strued by the japanese government to
mean that the treaty cannot be termi-
mated without the consent of both
governments. The liuwaian conten-
ton is that the words have no such
meaning, and that any contract or
agreement can be solved by mutual
consent as q matter of course; that il
the claim of Japan was valid the treaty
would be in effect permanently, 1t is
understood that Japan insists that her
present claims must be acknowledged |
and accepted by the United States in
case of annexation, although protest
ing against annexation.
CAUCUS OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS.
WASHINGTON, June 35,-The repub-
lican senators decided in caucus last
night, by vote of % to II, to sustain
the action of the finance committee in
placing duty upon hides, but did not
pass upon the question Of the amount
of the duty imposed. The committee
was also sustained in the rate fixed
.pon imported wrapper tobacco. The
only other disputed questions consd.
cred were watches and watch Jewels,
and upon these the finance committee
was reversed, the house rates being ac-
cepted on watches, and watch Jewels
being made free.
W00DFORD TO GET WELL POSTED.
WASHINGTON, June ~. In an inter
view with the president yesterday re-
,pecting his mission to Spain, Mr..
Woodford learned that he would not
cave for Madrid before the latter part
If July, and will spend the time from
low on in acquiring an accurate knowl-
,dge OF the present state Of our rela-
ions with Spain. Mr.. Calhoun is still
n Washington and probably will con
er with Mr.. Woodford.