The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-01-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
Important Measures Under Consideration
in Both Houses


On motioa OF MIR. Hofr (Rep., Mass. y the
house bill to establish uniform law on the sub
ject Of bankruptcies throughout the United
States, wis made the special order for Mon
day January 20.
Mr. Iils began hlss speech on the Cuban
matter ut 1850 p. M, with thirteen Demo-
ere. senators and six Republicans In their
soets.
TWENTIETH DAT.
The senate held brief executive session
today. at the instance OF Senator Sherman,
chat. man OF the senate committee on foreign
rela ious, TO consider u communication from
.he secre'7ry OF state In regard to the extra
dition treaties with the Orange Free State,
which was modified and ratified by the SEN
ate yesterday.
Tho homestead bill was further debated
but a vote was not reached. Mr.. Villas at
tackled 1t "a n measure giving S35.000.0o0 Of
Governmental money. MIR. Nelson. Rep,
MINI, Mr.. Allen and Mr.. PETER. Pop, Kan,
spoke Tor the bill Mr.. Hill, Dem, N. Y,
who has not often addressed the senate OF
late, spoke In favor OF law liking four
years as the term OF fourth class post
masters.
The house Witnessed sensational Sc
uuel TO the remarkable attack made by
Mr.. johnson OF California. on Editor Hurst
Mr.. Johnson and Mr.. Maguiro (Dem., Col.,) }
we're the antagonists TODAY.
rwESrY-rIRsr DAY.
The open session OF the seuate was much
curtailed by az executive session lasting two
hours. After this the balance of the day
vas given to Mr. Bacon OF Georgia, who, In
his speech In support Of the Mills resolution
for the recognition Of Cuban independence.
directed his argument 10 the question OF tho
exclusive right Of congress to recognize new
governments.
The senate, In executive session to-day,
baH ~, fnr N I'm bn ~
Il. Francis to be secretary OF the Interior
but no action was taken. Senator Vest OF
Missouri, was the principal opponent OF con-
ilrmation, but he ho was also seconded by
Senator Pugh OF Alabama. Both of these
senators made speeches ngainst the connr-
nation and alleged various re asons against
II.
AZ or n very dull day, devoted to passing
bills OF minor importance, the house plunged
h:o warm controversy over n bill to make
oleomnrgerlne and and other limitations OF
dplry products subject TO the laws OF the
state. into which they IRE transported.
TwENTY-sECoND DAY.
Tho senate to-day passed the measure
known as the homestead bill. The effect OF
the bill Is to open to settlement all public
lands acquired from Indians, free OF any
payment to the government beyond the
minor Office fees, and to release from pay
ment those who have heretofore settled on
tHtre lhnNs. lne nuinDtr OF acres lnNOlNeu,
according TO an estimate made by the com
missioner Of the general land office, is
| 32, 2j2. 5il. which would have yielded tho
government, Mt the prices heretofore estab-
lished s3j. .3i3 00G 10 offset this statement,
It was brought ont during the debate that
the lands were uihinly arid, and that those
| who had settled upon them were unable to
make payment by reason Of the scanty pro-
| ducts of the soil.
The house by vote Of 1876 to SO passed the
Grout bill, subjec,ing oleumargarine and
other imitation dairy products to the laws
OF the states into which they are transport
| ed.
rwEsrY-Tuinp DAY.
| The Senate was not IN session. In the
| House an interesting fight developed ever Il
Senate bill granting pension of 800 per
month to Mrs. Fannie Gibbon, widow of the
| late Gen. John Gibbon. Mr.. Tracey, Re.
| publican, Missouri, offered an amend
ment reducing the amount to $50 per month.
| This was warmly opposed by Mr.. Curtis
| Republican, New York, who made euloglstit
references to the services OF General Gibbon
Mr.. Grosvernor, Republican, Ohio, was also
against the reduction. lie said In answer &c
Mr.. Willis, Republican, Delaware, who hat
protested against discrimination in favor o
the widows OF distinguished officers, that 8!
out of every 100 privates OF the late wa
| would vote to give Mrs. Gibbons the full
amount. Mr.. Wood, Republican, Illinois
opposed granting special rates OF pension
through the medium Of private bills, on th'
ground tnat 1t WAS contrary to general law
The bill was passed.
A House bill to increase the pension o
Clara l.. Nichols, postmistress at Fort Laven
worth, and widow OF Brevet Maj. Gen. W. A
Nicholas, developed some slight opposition
In committee OF the whole the House had re
duced the amount OF the increase to $50. bu
on motion OF Mr. Dalzell, Republican, Penn
sylvania, the House, after listening to
eulogy Of Gen. Nichols by that gentleman
made the amount $75 and then passed ih
measure. A House bill, granting n pension
to Sarah A. Comfy. widow OF Major Clifto.
Comfy, waslalso passed.
| TwESTY-roURru DAY.
In the House on Saturday eulogies wcr
delivered on the late ex-Speaker Crisp
Among the speakers were Messrs. Dalzell, o
ennsylvania; Turner, OF Georgia; Hender
son, OF Iowa, and DeArmond of Missouri.
Congressman Harvey introduced in IN
House BIZ to break up the business OF rail
way ticket brokerage by requiring that al
agents shall be provided with authority fron
the Interstate Commerce commission to SCI
tickets. and that unused portions OF ticket
must be redeemed by tho roads issuin
| thew.