Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-24
THE FIFTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
Opening of Uncompngbrc Rescrvn-
fion.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. February 3D.
In the Senate to-day a resolution was
offered by Mr.. Mills OemocraD. Of Texas.
and was agreed to- requesting the Presi-
dent TO furnish statement Of the facts
concerning the arrest Imprisonment, and
death Of DIR. Ricardo Ruiz in a Cuban
jail
The Vice President laid before the
Senate a report from the Secretary Of
state as to the persons claiming to be
American citizens who were captured
on board the Competitor. Referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The report contains nothing new, Sec
rotary Olney stating that practically all
the information called for by the resolu-
ton" had been submitted 10 the Senate
January 22d last. and that since that
date nothing had taken place Of conse-
quence, either I'm the way Of information
received or correspondence exchanged.
Practically the entire day was con-
sumd i'm a discussion of an amendment
to the Indian appropriation bill for the
opening 10 settlement of the Uncom-
paghre Indian reservation in Utah, con-
tanning over 100000 acres.
The amendment was resisted by Mr.
Villas DemocraD. of Wisconsin. princi-
pally on the ground that IT was in the
interest OF rich corporations who were
engaged in the business of extracting
asphaltum and gilsonite, of which there
are large and valuable deposits I'm the
reservation. Before abandoning the
fight. Mr. Villas proposed an amendment
looking 10 the survey Of these mineral
lands and their division into lots, which
were then 10 be leased for twenty-five
years, a royalty Of so much per ton TO
be paid 10 the government This was
fought by Mr.. Brown Republican,, Of
Utah, as entirely at variance with the
mining laws Of the country and with
the interests Of the people. 1t was de-
feated and then the original amend
ment. somewhat modified, was agreed
to That one paragraph was the only
amendment which the Senate made IN
the Indian appropriation bill. 1t was
laid aside at $40, and the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of execu-
tive business. and shortly afterward adj
journed until tomorrow at IL a. NJ.
House of Representatives.
The House. late this afternoon, ran un-
expectedly into an interesting ard pos
sibly significant discussion Of the civil
service law. II came about by the con-
sideration Of a bill to amend the Revised
Statutes so as 20 give the Governors OF
as to appoint certain Territorial officers.
1t was participated in by dozen MEM
bers or more. nearly all Of whom criti-
cised and condemned the civil-service
law. which found its only defenders in
Representatives Brosius Republican), of
Pennsylvania, and Walker Republican),
of Massachusetts.
Mr.. Grosvenor Republican,, Of Ohio,
denounced the law as a "sinuous, in
famous conspiracy upon the govern
ment," and expressed the opinion that
tide was rising in this country which
would sweep bureaucracy from power.
Mr.. Bailey Of Texas Democrat, de-
nounced the system as humbug, and said
the reason why the Democratic party did
not repeal the law when it had the power
TO do so was that it did not have sense
enough
Mr.. Brosius deprecated the sentiments
of Mr.. GrosvenOr, and the Republican
applause which their utterance evoked,
saving that. in view of AlcKinley's we'll
known attitude toward the merit system,
II seemed to him "a fieshing Of a sword
in the heart of the President-elect" The
bill that started the debate was passed.
The most of the session was spent in
the consideration Of the naval appro-
priation bill Mr.. Barrett Qepublican)
its failure TO make appropriation for
what he deemed TO be one Of the most
important parts of the service, the con-
struction OF dry-docks, and he moved an
amendment authorizing one 10 be built
at the Boston navy-yard. TO cost not
exceeding 100000. lie made an extended
speech in support Of the amendment,
which was followed by long and some
what acrimonious discussion, but it was
finally defeated, only about half dozen
members supporting il. The bill was
passed exactly as it came from the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs.
Senate bills were passed, granting a
pension to the widow Of General
Thomas l.. Casey, chief of engineers,
with an amendment reducing the amount
from SO to $50 per month; also, authoriz-
ing the Montgomery, Haynesyile. and
Camden Railway Company TO build
bridge across the Alabama river between
Lower Peachtree and Mary Bluff.
At 5l5 =. NJ. the House adjourned
until tomorrow.