The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-01-23
CURRENT TOPICS.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF.
FIFTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.


SCCohu ScBBAous
IN the senate, on the 18th. the house bank
ruptcy bill was made a special order for
Monday, January %. Mr.. Proctor spoke in
favor OF q proposed constitutional amend
ment making the presidential term six
years and making the president Ineligible for
re- election; also making the term Of repre-
sentatives three years. Mr.. Mills (dem., Tex.)
spoke in support OF his joint resolution declar-
ing that the expediency Of recognition of a new
government belongs TO congress, ETC., which
went over-----.In the house the Pacific rail-
road refunding bill was defeated by a majority
Of e6 votes The house devoted the remainder
OF the day to the military academy appropris-
tion bill, and to measures brought forward un-
der the call Of committees.
IN the senate, on the 18th. a bill was In tro-
duced and referred fixing the term OF fourth
class postmastees at four years. The resolu-
tion in regard to the violation OF the eight
hour law In Brooklyn by contractors with the
navy department was taken up and agreed to.
House bill for free homesteads on public lands
acquired from Indian tribes was taken up as
unfinished business, but went over without &C.
ton lin the house Mr.. johnson Cali, ris-
ing TO q question OF personal privilege, de-
nounced Mr.. Mcguire for publishing in the Con-
gressional Record a column of personal abuse
instead OF uttering it upon the floor Of the
house. He admitted the truth Of the charges,
but said he had expiated his fault and that the
people Of his district were acquainted with his
full history when they sent him to congress-
The at.ack on Mr.. Mcguire was expunged from
the record.
IL the senate, on the 18th, two hours were
spent in executive session on the extradition
treaties with Argentina and the Orange repub-
lie, the remainder Of the day being occupied In
the delivery Of a speech by Mr.. Bacon on the
question whether the recognition of q new
power was an executive or n Legislative act.c..
In the house the day was spent in work upon
the calendar. a number Of minor bills being
passed by common consent: The Dill Provid-
Ing that oleomargaElnS and other imitation
dairy produGis Sail be subject to the laws of
! the states or territories into which they are
transported was voted down by a narrow ma
iOrity:
Is the senate, on the 18th, house bill for free
homesteadS on the public lands of Oklahoma
territory was passed. 1t provides that all set
tiers on those lands shall be entitled to pat
entS on payment OF the usual and customary
fees, and that no further charge Of any kind
shall be required ....,In the house, nOtwith-
standing the opposition developed, the oleo-
mahSarine bill vas passed, after certain
amendments had been agreed to. The re-
mainder of the day was spent by the house In
sransacting routine business under the unani-
! nous consent rule.
H senate was not in session op the 10Th
......In the house five hours were devoted tC
routine business, principally private pension
bills, a number of which were passed. Sea
ate bill granting an increase OF pension TO tn
widow 81 Gen. Gibbon met with opposition
but went through in its original shape giviu
Mrs GibboR slOb per month. A night sessio
was heldter the consideration of private pen
sian hills