The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-09
IN THE SENATE.
A Resolution Demanding the Release o
One Melton Demanded.

A Resolution Demanding the Release of
One Melton Demanded.
Washington, July S.-The session of the
Senate today was uneventful, the de-
ficiency appropriation bill being con-
sidered throughout the day. Among it's
provisions is one accepting the invitation
of Francest to participate in the Paris ex-
position of 1900.
The bill was not completed up to the
time of adjournment. During the day,
Mr.. Berry Of Arkansas, offered resolu-
ton requiring the President to demand
of Spain the release of Ona Melton, one
of the Competitor prisoners. The resolu-
tion was referred to the committee on
| foreign relations.
| With the tariff bill through the Senate,
work in that body resumed normal con-
ditions today. During the routine bust
ness Mr.. Berry of Arkansas offered the
! following resolution:
Resolved, By the Senate. that the Presl-
dent is hereby requested to demand the
release Of one Melton, native born citi-
zen of rhe United States, who was taken
prisoner on board the Competitor, and is
now confined in Spanish prison in
Cuba.
Mr.. Hale suggested that the resolution
go to the committee on foreign relations
the resolution today, as the committee
was dealing with the subject and needed
no hurrying up, being all one way.
Mr.. Berry answered that when it came
to the protection of an American citizen
he felt there was need of hurry. He u.s.
sented to the reference to committee and
this disposition was made.
Mr. Hale desired to go on with the de-
fciency appropriation bill, but was met
with an earnest effort to have the pend
ing Pacific railroad question taken up
The appropriation bill was held to the
right Of way ,whereupon Mr.. Morgan said
ne would move to recommit the de-
ficiency bill with instructions to report
back bill for the settlement of the
Union Pacific railroad debt. The purpose
of this motion was to open the Pacific
railroad question to debate.
The deficiency bill, carrying 81 ,S1l 1865,
was then considered. The committee
amendment accepting the invitation of
France to take part in the international
exposition in Paris in 1900 and authoriz-
ing the President to appoint a special
commissioner at salary of $4,000 to Sc
cure space and arrange for proper ex.
hibit was agreed to. A new committee
amendment was agreed to appropriating
$4,000 in full indemnify to the heirs Of
three Italians lynohed in Louisiana in
1896.
Other new items were as follows: Re-
pairs on building No 13, Brooklyn navy
yard, s2O,O0o to the widow of the late
Representative Cook Of Illinois, $4,000; fire
proof immigrant building at Ellis Island,
New York, to cost $500, 900, of which
$50 900 is made available. The appro-
priation for Ellis Island also provides for
enlarging the island three acres.
Mr.. Butler of North Carolina offered an
amendment limiting the cost of armor
plate for new battleships to $500 per ton
and providing for government armor
plant if private bids We're not within
$500. The amendment went over.
An amendment to have several claims
added to the bill led to long debate on
the propriety of paying government
claims, the general sentiment being that
a general bill covering all claims should
be brought in at the next session of Con-
gress.
At $40 p. m. the bill was laid aside
and after an executive session the Senate
ad iOurDed