The evening times., 1897-01-18
Senator Sherman Was Compli-
mented by His Colleagues.
THE CURIOUS PETITIONS
The Legislative, Executive and Ju-
the Calendar-A Measure Affect
ing Patents introduced in the
House.

/
and was complimented by many of his as
sociatcs on his prospective transfer to the
premiership of the Mckinley Cabinet. Sen
ator Cameron was also in his seat, and for
some time held a colloquy with his col
league, Senator Quay, and other Senators.
Among the curious petitions and memo
| rials presented during the n orning hours
was one by Mr. Peffer, from some of his
| constituents urging such an amendment
| to the Constitution as viii require the Su-
preme Court, in ruling against the con-
| stitutionality of a law Of Congress, to sub
| nit its ruling first 10 Congress- as in the
| case OF a Presidential veto; and, if Congress
| shall insist VI on it, the act shall be deemed
constitutional
A petition from the Bankers Club of
Chicago, urging the ratification of the
arbitration treaty, was presented by Mr..
Cullom and referred
Mr.. Quay, from the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, reported back the
bill introduced last week by Mr.. Murphy
to provide for the erection OF a custom house
in New York city, and it was placed on the
calendar. 1t tprovides for the appointment Of
Charles n. Taylor, George B. Post, Hugh j.
Grant and James T. Kilbreth, as building
commissioners; fixes on the present custom
house site and limits the cOstt TO S5;00o,0O0.
The House bill authorizing the Union
Railroad Company to construct and main
tain a bridge across the Monongahcla
River was also reported by Mr.. Quay, and
passed. The legislative, executive and ju-
diciaI and the military academy appropria-
ton bills were reported and placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. Chandler introduced, on behalf of Mr.
Wolcott, now in England, an act to provide
for the representation OF the United States
by commissioners at any international
monetary conference hereafter to be called.
The bill was read in full. Itprovidcs that
whenever, after March 4, 1897, the Presi-
dent OF the United States shall direct that
the United States shall be represented at
any international conference, called by the
United States, or any other Country,
with a view to securing, by international
agreement, fixed relative value between
gold and silver as money, with free mintage
at such ratio, lac shall be authorized 10 ap-
point five or more commissioners TO such
conference; and 1t appropriates 500 900 to
cover all expenses. Mr.. Chandler stated
that the bin was in the exact language Of
three previous acts providing for repre-
sentution Of tie United States at interna-
uonal conferences. except the insertion OF
the words free mintage at such ratio
The bin, he said, presented but single
point. and one which all Senators under
stood.
He asked unanimous consent that the bill
be taken up tomorrow for consideration
without being referred to any committee.
There being no objection, it was SO or
dered
House bill to establish railroad bridges
across the Cumberland and Tennessee riy-
ers in Kentucky was taken up and passed.
Also the concurrent resolution prohibiting
the use of any part Of the new Library
building for other than Library purposes.
Mr Pettigrew offered resolution cali
ing Oh the Secretary of State for inrOrma-
ton as 10 the doings OF the Venezuelan
Boundary Commission, and to furnish a
copy OF the agreement on the subject be-
tween the United States and Great Britain,
which had been already submitted to the
government of Venezuela.
Mr. Gray suggested that the resolution
should he referred to the Committee ON
Foreign Relations, but Mr.. Pettigrew pre-
ferred that it should lie on the table, say
ing that he would call it up tomorrow.
The army appropriation bill was taken
up, Mt Quay being in charge Of it.
The bill, as reported to the Senate, ap-
IropriatesS2 S23, 90 ,344 or So ,G0Onore than
the II ousc bill (thfs item being an increase
OF the appropriationfO for the Signal ServiceJ-
The total is S155,55 less than the total
for the current fiscal year. There was no
discussion, and the bill was passed with no
other delay than that required for it's read
ing rapidly by the clerk. A bill 10 provide
for a permanent census was introduced by
Mr. Chandler, and referred tothe Committee
on the Census.
The HouseolCOmargarinebi bin wasreported
to the Senate. MIR. Gear moved it's refer
ence to the Committee on Interstate Com
merce. Mr. Hill thought that the proper
reference was to the Committee on Agri-
culture. At the suggestion of Mr.. Cock
reII, the bill was laid on the table for the
present.
at 2p. m, when the morning hour closed,
motion was made by Mr.. Morgan to pro-
ceed to the consideration OF the Nicaragua
canal bill. The motion was agreed to.