Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-18
BILLS INTRODUCED.
A Large Number Of Measures Laid
Before the Senate.
TIE TARIFF BILL IN COMMITTEE.
A Session Held and the Measure Explained
70 Democratic Members-A Commits
sioner May BE Sent to Europe to
Work for Blmetsllism.

WASHINGTON, March FIN the SEN
ate yesterday, 43s bills and eight joint
resolutions were introduced. They
embrace nearly every phase Of public
business. Mr.. Aliens batch of bills
numbered about rs. They included
bills directing the foreclosure Of the
government lien on the Union Pacific
railroad, to pfeventpr professional lobby
ing; defining the powers OF the JUDI
ciary; for service pensions, etc. Bills
introduced BY Mr.. Hale related to q
cable between the United States
Hawaii and Japan, and to
the 18th census. There was a
general laugh at one Of the
pension bills Of Mr.. White, Of Califor.
mia, "for the relief Of William J.
Bryan" Mr.. Lodges bills included
those to amend the immigration laws
and for Hawaiian cable. Bank
ruptcy bills were presented by Mr..
Nelson, of Minnesota, and Mr.. Lind
say, Of Kentucky. Mr.. Morgan rein
trodrced the Nicaragua canal bill be-
fore the last congress, and also joint
resolution TO abrogate the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. Numerous bills relat-
ing to the Pacific railroads were pre-
sented, including that Of Mr.. Morgan
to create board OF trustees for the
Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail-
roads. One of Mr.. Thurston's bills pro-
vided for the increase OF all pensions
A resolution by Mr.. Frye calling for
information as to the operation OF civil
service rules in river and harbor work
was agreed to after some criticism OF
civil service operations. Mr.. Cockrell
asked II the resolution was step
toward abolishing the civil service
rules. Mr.. Frye said 1t was step to-
ward abolishing these rules SO far as
they related to engineering work for
the government. The president had
extended the civil service rules to all
classes of labor so that an engineer
officer away up on the Columbia river
who wanted a laborer for river and
harbor work had to apply to the civil
service commission.
All the measures introduced were
referred to the several committees
with the exception OF the bill pension
ing the widow Of Brighten. Stevenson
at $50 per month, which was passed,
being the first bill passed at the extra
session.
Several hours were spent early in the
day on the question Of admitting Mr..
Henderson, appointed by the governor
of Florida, to fill the temporary
vacancy from that state. The debate
was largely of legal and technical
character concerning the presidents
on admitting senators. The case finally
was referred to the committee on privi-
leges and elections, where the cases of
Mr. Corbett, of Oregon, and Mr.. Wood,
of Kentucky, are pending. The SEN
ate adjourned over to Thursday, so
neither branch of congress will be in
session to-day.
THE TARIFF BILL IN COMMITTEE.
WARRINGTON. March l7.-The demo-
cratic members of the ways and means
committee received their first official
information on the new tariff bill yes
terday, when the bill was considered
at a secret session of the full commit
tee. Chairman Dingley announced
that he desired to report the bill to the
house when 1t meets at noon to-mor-
row. Mr.. McMillin, Of Tennessee, com
planned that this plan would not give
the democrats sufficient time to analyzs
the measure and prepare areport. The
democrats contended that they had
treated the republican members more
generously in the matter of time when
the Wilson bill was framed. Three
hours were spent in an analysis OF the
bill by sections, the republican men,
bers Of the committee who had been
most active in the preparation OF the
various schedules explaining the
changes made from existing rates and
comparing the proposed duties with
the Mckinley act. The committee adj
iourned until tomorrow, but the demo-
cratic members will have conference
to-day to outline their policy.
TO FORWARD BIMETALLIsM.
WASHINGTON, March II. = Senator
Wolcott said yesterday that he knew
nothing of any Intention on the mart
OF PRESIDENT Mckinley to nsk him to
go to Europe as commissioner on be-
half of this government to continue
his negotiations looking to an interna-
tional agreement on silver He made
the statement upon being shown an ar
ticlc in a New York paper saying that
he would be asked by the president to
accept this mission. but declined to dis
cuss the question further. Inquiry
among senators interested in the BIZ
metallic movement develops the fact
that some understanding has been
reached that special commission OR