The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-02
LETTERS FROM GOMEZ.
RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY TO
THE PRESIDENT.

Senator Morgan Wants to Know IL the
kumors Regarding Them Are True-A
Railroad Pooling Bill Introdu in the
Senate-Tedioos Debate on the Tariff
Bil-MoreR Republican. Dissatisfied With
Certain Schedules-slow Progress Made.
SENATE.
Washington, March 3O.-The opening
session Of the senate today lasted until
2 o'clock p. m. and then the senate re-
sumed. behind closed doors, the con-
sideration Of the arbitration treaty,
spending two and a half hours in the
discussion.
To the 1.404 bills that had been in
troduced up to the close Of Mondays
session there were enough added today
to bring the whole number above the
figure OF 1,500-the vast majority OF
them being pension bills.
The populist senator from Nebraska,
Senator Allen, occupied more than an
hour in an elaborate argument to prove
that congress is mot possessed of the
constitutional power to impose tariff:
duties on articles of daily consumption
for the express n avowed purpose of
increasing the private fortunes of one
class of citizens at the expense Of the
masses" He characterized as pre-
pOSterOuS the claim that a high tariff
raised the price of farm products and
was Of vast benefit to the farmers.
The resolution embOdying this doc
trine, which he had offered yesterday
was at the close of his speech, referred
to the committee on finance.
Another menace to the tariff measure
now pending in the house was con-
tanned in a resolution of the board Of
sheep commissioners Of Montana, repre-
sented by Senator Mantle, Of that tate.
to the effect that unless the WOO grow
ers Of the United States received the
most ample protection the policy Of
protection could be no longer maintain
ed.
Senator Morgan offered a resolution
requesting the president to inform the
senate whether letters have been re-
ceived by the present and former chief
executives of the United States from
Maxine Gomez, the commanding gen.
eral of the insurrectionary forces in
Cuba-as published this morning.; also
to furnish other information in relation
to Cuban affairs.
After the letters had been read in full,
the resolution and letters were ordered
to be printed and laid on the table.
The house amendments to the joint
resolution passed yesterday by the
senate, appropriating $3.50, 900 to aid in
protecting life and property in the Mis-
SisSippi floods, were in by
the senate, and the joint resolution was
sen to the president.
Senator Foraker introduced in the
senate a modified form of the Patter-
son pooling bill, which permits rail-
a onpt IN no 70 nnn1
in the matter Of transportation OF
freights.
At 4:3O o'clock the senate adjourned
until tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The WEAKNESS of the flesh was mani
tested today in the proceedings of the
house in the committee of the whole,
upon the consideration Of the tariff bill,
when member sought to relieve them
selves from the ~tediousness of prosy de-
bate by vehemently applauding the
speakers. MIR. Wheeler's request for an
evening session was objected to vigor-
ously.
Republican opposition to the bill was
again shown by a discussion of the ques
ton of putting a duty on hides.
Mr.. Cannon, republican, of Illinois,
said he would like to see one imposed,
but would vote for the bill as the COM
mittee on ways and means approved
it.
Mr.. Hepburn, republican, of Iowa,
was more out-spOken. He said the
value of the hides produced in the
United States far exceeded that of
wool, which dWindled into insignifi-
canoe beside il. He appealed to the
committee on ways and means to test
the sense of the house on the PROPOSE
ton.
Mr.. Dingley refused to pursue that
course, stating, instead, the reasCn why
the committee did not recommend a
duty.
The day was nearly occupied in dis
posing of amendments offered by the
committee on way n means, most Of
which went to perfecting the phraseo-
logy, or making classification clearer.
An amendment putting books, maps
and charts imported for the use Of
schools, colleges and public libraries, on
the free list, was agreed to, also one
restoring the Mckinley rates on horses
and mules.
At 4 o'clock the reading Of the bill
where the committee left off Saturday
last was resumed. and in the last hour
of the day four additional pages were
passed over-twenty in all.
Mr.. Hopkins. republican, Of Illinois,
a member Of the committee on ways
ana means, assured MI. MClnlllll, VI
Tennessee, hat If his associates would
not necessarily delay consideration Of
the bill, the sugar schedules would BE-
reached in time to be acted upon.
After the committee rose an ~unavail-
ing effort was mad to reach an agree
ment to extend the limit for debate
from 3 to 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon,
the last two hours to be under the
rules for general debate.
At $40 o'clock a motion to adjourn
was agreed 20, and the effort to reach
the agreement will probably be re-
newed tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
To Recover the Body of c. +. Crosby.
WaShinrfon March 90 -Sannr De-