Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
PACIFIC ROADS.
Senator Thurston, of Nebraska
Makes His Argument.
an ELECTION CONTEST SETTLED.
Mr.. Swanson's Title to Hls Seat for the Fifth
Virginia District Confirmed Meat
Inspection-N Hope for the
Free Homes Bill.

WASHINGTON, Feb. AFTER a brief
parliamentary struggle in the senate
late yesterday afternoon, the friends
of the Nicaragua canal bill were un-
able to hold quorum and sit out the
obstruction to that measure. Mr.. Villas,
OF Wisconsin, had continued his speech
in opposition, this being his third sue
cessive day. At 1870 p. m. a cross fire
OF motions to adjourn and calls of tn '
senate began. The friends of the OPP
position sought to close the session and
give Mr.. Villas rest from his plotract-
ed efforts The parliamentary con nest
continued at intervals for half an hour,
when all business was suspended
by the absence of a quorum and
refusal to adjourn. The friends
OF the bill finally gave up hope Of Sc
curing quorum and yielded to an adj
journment Mr.. Villas continues to
hold the floor. In his remarks yester-
day he asserted that the Clayton-Bu
wer treaty was in full force, and that
the American people would insist upon
full and honorable adherence to its
terms. The senate agreed to the house
resolution fixing February 10 for the
ceremony of counting the vote for
president and vice president before the
two houses of congress. /
Although defeated for reelection
Senator Dubois, of Idaho, was welcomed
back to the senate yesterday with
marked cordially and with an album
dance of floral tributes. His.desk was
literally overwhelmed with flowers,
while tables, chairs and adjoining
desks were brought into use to support
the many unique devices into which
the roses and violets had been wrought.
When the two Allen resolutions ques-
tioning the power of the executive to
foreclose the government liens against
the Pacific roads were taken up Mr..
Thurston, of Nebraska, spoke. He
argued that there were only two propo-
sitions from which to make a choice.
One was to realize a larger per cent. of
the governments claim, the other to
invest more of the peoples money in
fully acquiring road presumably for
the purpose of government ownership
and operation. Mr.. Thurston doubted
whether congress could now create a
new federal Union Pacific railroad ow-
ing to the laws of several states pro-
hibiting the operation Of railways by
other than domestic corporations
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-The contested
election case of Cornett VS.. Swanson,
from the Fifth Virginia district, oc-
cupied the attention of the house yes
terday. Three republicans and three
democrats on the elections committee
had reported in favor of the democrat
ic contestee, Mr. Swanson, and three
republicans offered minority report
recommending that the seat he de-
clared vacant on the ground that
fair election could not be held under
the Virginia election law. When the
vote came to be taken the minority
could not muster enough votes to call
the yeas and nays, and Mr. Swanson's
title to his seat was confirmed by an
overwhelming viva voce vote.
MEAT INSPECTION.
WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-The bill now
being prepared by the house commit
tee on agriculture requiring packers
to pay proportionate share of the
cost of inspection Of live stock and mi
,roscopical examination of dressed
meats, will be ready to introduce soon.
As heretofore stated the measure fixes
A schedule of rates of inspection for
both live stock and meats intended to
be shipped out of the state in which
the packing house is located. The
does not propose to push
The bill at this session, the intention
being to report it and get it on the cal
endar.
THE FREE HOMES BILL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Speaker Reed
S still unbending in his opposition to
he free homes bill. When Delegate
Flynn and delegation of 20 members
waited on him yesterday and asked
lin to consent to let them have day
or the free homes bill, he merely
,eard them and let it 60 at that He
will not let the bill come up this SEES
lion, and so privately informed one or
wo of the delegation after the hearing.