Evening journal., 1897-12-08
SOME SENATE BILLS.
One introduced Relating to
the Klondike.
The PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE.
bxIrmish over the Distribution of the
Presidents Message to the Commit
tees-several Bills Presented by
Mr.. sperry OF Connecticut.


bffice was administered to him.
Mr.. Money was assigned 10 the seat
formerly occupied by Mr. Daniel OF
Virginia, the latter securing the scat In
ihe center OF the Democratic side which
was occupied by the late Senator
George During the session 10S bills,
many of which were private pension
measures, were introduced. in addition
10 several Joint resolutions and some
senate resolutions.
Among the bills introduced were
these:
by Mr.. Mcbride. authorizing the
Dyea- -Klondike Transportation compa-
ny 10 locate and construct a line OF
transportation from Dyea to Lake Ben
hett. the line 10 consist Of railways,
nerial tramways or wagon roads. as
The company may deem proper. The bill
grants 100 feet on each side Of the pro-
posed road as right Of way; also bill
granting a similar right OF way TO the
Bkagguay and Lake Bennett Tramway
company from Skagguay over the
White pass TO the boundary line OF
Northwest Territory on the skagguay
trail
BY Mr.. Mason. 70 establish postal
favings bank system. This Is known as
The Chicago Record bill.
My Mr.. Mcmillan for the construc-
lion OF a gunboat on the great lakes to
take the place OF the United States
gunboat Michigan at a cost Of S23O00o.
BY Mr.. Hale. 20 increase the navy es-
tahlishment by the addition OF first
rlass seagoing coast line battleship at
cost not to exceed 3750. 900. six sea-
going torpedo boats OF 175 tons dlsplace-
ment at cost OF S1125,OOO and three
torpedo boats OF greater speed at
fOst OF 100000 II is provided that the
battleship shall be primarily for coast
defense and that II shall carry the
heaviest armor and most powerful ord
hance and that Il shall have a dispace-
ment Of II. 300 tons.
The session OF the house. though II
lasted but two hours. witnessed a very
lively slSirmish over the question OF dis
tributing the presidents message TO the
various committees clothed with juris-
liction over the subjects dealt with
The conflict OF authority was between
he ways and means committee and the
banking and currency committee.
Chairman Walker and other members
Of the latter committee believed that
the language of the resolution for dis
iribution. which referred all matters re-
latng to the revenues. the national
finances the public debt the preser-
walton Of the government credit and
the treaties Of the United States af-
fectlng the revenues to the ways and
means rommittee would rob their COM
mittee of all jurisdiction over the ques-
ton Of impounding the greenbacks as
recommended by the president-a ques-
lion which they contended was funda-
mental 20 any scheme for the revision
Of the currency. The battle ragged all
along the line.
During the debate Mr.. Grosvenor OF
phio fired the first gun against the civil
Service law and this also brought the
friends and enemies OF that measure
INTO action. IL was noticeable that the
galleries seemed TO sympathize with
the opponents OF the measure, and Mr..
Johnson of Indiana in a ringing warm
Ing declared that II a bill to emascu-
hte the civil service law were passed IL
would meet the presidential veto.
Eventually Mr.. Dingley. in Difference
10 the opposition of the members Of the
banking and currency committee,
agreed to modification of the order Of
distribution so as TO send TO the ways
and means committee all matters re-
hting TO the revenues. the bonded debt
hf the country and the treaties affect
Ing the revenues" The resolution was
then adopted.
After the session Chairman Walker
blamed he had won a decisive victory
and that his committee under the order
would have jurisdiction of a measure
10. as he expressed 1t. convert the
greenbaclSs into gold certificates. but
mittee insisted that changes Of verbiage
In the order would not affect their iu-
fisdlction and that a measure such as
the president suggested. IL introduced
In the house. would be referred by the
speaker 10 their committee.
The establishment of a national sys-
tenn Of postroads and the extension OF
the postofice system so as to cover
the entire business of public transpOr-
tation Is contemplated in a bill pre-
Bented in the house by Mr.. Sperry OF
Connecticut and referred TO the COM
mittee on postohices.
The measure provides for the consoli.
Gation Of the lntersN Nte commerce com
mission with the postofiice department
10 be under a postmaster general and
ten associates. including the mem.
bers of the present Interstate com,
herce commission. each TO receive $40
200 a year The bill empowers the ex
tension of the postal business 20 cove
transportation Of persons baggage. par
tels and general freight and 70 secur
control and management OF such road
now carrying the mails and Of othe
roads and transportation agencies al
nay be needed for the public use.
Another bill introduced by Mr. Sperr,
provides for an appropriation OF S2S.
boo for the Improvement Of the Ney
Haven harbor. Mr.. Sperry also intro
duced a bin appropriating $4,000 70
the maintenance OF the Improvement
On the Connecticut river below Hart
lord, in accordance with the recommsn
dations OF the corps of engineers. Unit
I'd States army; also for $4,000 fer IN
further improvement of the Ccnnecticu
river.
The first Cuban petition submitted {
congress at this session was presente
IN the house by Mr.. Payne Of New Yorl
Il came from 29 voters Of Ontario cour
ty including the pastor of the Fir,
Baptist church OF Canandaigua, 'deI
recating the devastation. wholesale in
prisonment. starvation and slaughter
Cuba" and asking congress TO put a