Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-01-21
NATIONAL SOLONS.
REVIEW or THEIR WORK At
WASHINGTON.

Detailed .oceedinss OF SENATE ana
Hepse Bills Passed or .lntfoduced
In Either Branch-Queatfons Of Mo.
ment to the Country at Large.
Tho Legislative GRIND. 81
The Senate, In executive session Wed.
nesday, had up for time the nomination
of David r. Francis to be Secretary Of
the Interior, but 10 action was taken.
Senator Vest. Of Missouri, was the prin-
cipal opponent of confirmation, but he was
seconded by Senator Pugh, Of Alabama.
Senator Gear introduced q new bill for
the settlement Of the Pacific railroad in
debtedness. constituting the Secretary of
the Treasury, the Secretary of the In
terror and the Attorney General a COM
mission with full power to make a set
dennent of the indebtedness of all the
bond-aided Pacific roads to the govern
ment, upon approval of the President.
After very dull day devoted to passing
bills of minor importance the House
plunged into q warm controversy over
bill to tax oleomargarine and other
limitations Of dairy products
The Senate Thursday passed the free
homestead bill. 1t 10 a measure Of far
reaching importance to the West. The
effect Of the bill 10 to open to settlement
all public lands acquired from Indians,
free Of any payment to the Government
beyond the minor Office fees, and to re-
lease from payment those who have here
tofore settled on these lands. The num-
Der Of acres involved 10 81, 2c2,b41, which
would have yielded the Government, at
the prices heretofore established, $685.
343yOO0. The lands are mainly arid and
those who have settled upon them are un-
able to make payment by reason Of the
scanty products Of the soil. The Senate
adjourned until Monday. The House
spent almost the entire day debating the
Circuit bill, to subject oleomargarine and
other imitation dairy products to the laws
of the States into which they are trans
ported. The bill was passed By vote Of
126 yeas to 06 nays. The advocates Of
the measure took the view that the States
should be allowed to regulate the sale of
a product sailing under false colofs, and
the opponents that the bill would estab-
fish dangerous precedent, and invade the
power Of Congress to regulate interstate
commerce. In speech in support of the
bill Mr.. Henderson of Iowa said with
much emphasis: 1.-THE opposition to this
bill comes from the capitalized institu-
tons in Chicago and Kansas City. Il
comes from men like Armour and Swift.
who are destroying the great cattle in
terests Of my State and other States by
keeping down the price Of beeves and
keeping up the price of beefsteak."
The proceedings in the House Friday
were very tame. It was private bill day,
but the whole time was consumed In pass
ing House bills favorably acted upon in
committee of the whole before the holt
day recess. The widow of the late Maj.
Gen. John Gibbon was the beneficiary of
one Of the bills passed, carrying 500 per
month, and the widow of Brevet Gen. w.
A. Nichols of another, carrying $76 per
month. The free homestead bill, which
came back TO the House with Senate
amendments, was referred, under q ruling
of the Chair, to the Committee on Public
Lands. At the evening session fourteen
private pension bills were reported with
favorable Recommendation. Among
them were bills granting pension of $50
per month to the widow Of Gen. Green
Clay Smith and SIS per month to the
widow of Gen. Henry A. Morrow. The
last mentioned bill was advocated by Rep
reeentative Mercer, who had the amount
Increased from $50 to the amount named.
A bill has been reported 10 the House for
q subsidy Of 500, 900 q year to the Pacific
Cable Company of New York, in which
James Scrymser and ]. Pierpont Morgan
are interested.
Secretary Francis nomination was con-
ifrmed by the Senate In executive session
Monday. The Senate also voted to take
up the Nicaragua canal bill. This gives
the measure the parliamentary advantage
of being the unfinished business Of the
Senate, 90 that 1t will be considered from
day to day until Anal action is secured.
$1OO, OOO, GOO Of Maritime Canal Company
stock, of which the Secretary of the Treas
ury, in behalf Of the United States. 10 to
subscribe for $40, OOO, 900 worth of shares.
The company 10 to issue bonds up to $780,
100000. these to be guaranteed by the
United States. The building and control
of the canal are given to American engi1
neers and board of eleven directors, Of
whom Eve are to be appointed by the
President. 1t IL substantially the measure
passed by the Senate In the last Congress.
The House passed three bills of public
Importance and devoted the remainder of
the day to eulogies of ex-Speaker Crisp
and to District Of Columbia business. One
bill passed prohibited the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors to the Indians, one amended
the existing patent laws in conformity
with the recommendations of the Ameri.
can Bar Association and another provided
for the nss by the Government Of patents
secured by naval officers at compensa-
ton to be fixed by board Of three officers.
Notes Of Current Evente.
At Is said that Adelina Patti IL aux-
ious to secure the decoration Of the L.
gion of Honor.
Kate Dunn. q years old, q servant
living 1t New York City, was shot in the
head by Michael Minneter, q laborer.
Minneter then shot himself In the head.
The third and last of the torpedo boats
being built for the United States 1T the
Columbian Iron Works was successfully
launched. Her total cost will be $07, 500