Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-15
MELTON'S CASE.
A Resolution Demanding Els Re-
lease from a Spanish Prison.
TARIFF BILL Sent TO CONFERENCE.
The House Quickly Disposes Of the Measure
by Means Of Special Order-Eul0-
giles on the Late Congressman
Holman.

WASHINGTON, July 0. The session OF
the senate yesterday was nneventfnl,
the deficiency appropriation bill being
considered, but during the day Mr.,
Berry, of Arkansas. offered resolu-
ton requesting the president to de-
mand Of Spain the release of 0na Mel
ton, one Of the Competitor prisoners.
The resolution follows.
Resolved, by the senate. that the president
be and is hereby requested to demand the re-
lease Of Ona Melton. n native-born citizen OF
the United States, who was taken prisoner on
board the Competitor and Is now confined In o
Spanish prison in Cuba.
1t was referred to the foreign rela-
tions committee.
Mr.. Hale desired to go on with the
deficiency appropriation bill, but was
met with an earnest effort to have the
pending Pacific railroad resolution
taken up The appropriation bill,
however, was held to have the right
of way. The committee amendment
accepting the invitation of France to
take part in the international EXPOSE
ton at France in 1900 and authorizing
the president to appoint a special com
missioner at salary Of s., 200 to secure
space and arrange for proper exhibit
caused extended discussion, Mr.. Nor
gan urging that the commissioner was
given too much power. On Mr.. Hale's
explanation that this was prelimi-
nary step, binding us to an acceptance
of the invitation, and then giving time
for mature preparation, the amend
ment was agreed to-
A new committee amendment was
agreed to, appropriating $4,000 in full
indemnity to the heirs of three Italians
lynched in Louisiana in 1895, as was
also one appropriating to the widow OF
the late Representative Cooke, OF Hi
nois, IS, 900.
At SEQ D. IN. the bill was laid aside,
and after an executive session the SEN
ate adjourned
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, July .. The house yes
terday sent the tariff bill to confer
ence. Chairman Dingley, Payne Of
New York, Dalzell Of Pennsylvania,
hopkins Of Illinois and Grosvenor OF
Ohio, republicans, and Bailey Of Texas,
McMillin of Tennessee and Wheeler Of
Alabama, democrats, were appointed
conferees The proceedings were in no
wise sensational. This action was
taken by means Of special order
brought in from the committee oil
rules The minority made no objec-
ton to 1t, but protested because the
majority refused in advance to enter
Into an agreement as to the length OF
time to be allowed for debate when
the bill is reported back by the con-
ferees. Mr.. McMillin tried to offer an
amendment to the special ordsr, @t-
ting aside to-day for the consideration
OF the senate Cuban belligerency reso-
luton, and Saturday for the consider
alton Of the bankruptcy bill, but Mr..
Dalzell said he had not yielded for the
purpose Of amendment. Besides, he
submitted that the amendment was
not gerniane. Mr.. McMillin argued
that il the house was to proceed at last
to do business, those matters should be
disposed Of.
Mr. Swanson contended that the
house should have an opportunity to
vote on such of the amendments as
they now desired to act upon. Mr..
Bailey, in closing the debate for his
side, said II the minority had been
given assurances of reasonable time
for debate when the conference report
was presented to the house the adop-
ton of the special order would not
have been antagonized. He defended
the course of the democrats in the SEN
ate, showing that no attempt had been
made there to delay action on a parti-
san tariff measure and contrasted with
that the refusal of the house to con-
slider the non-partsan Cuban resolu-
ton and the bankruptcy bill, both of
which, he said, were approved by the
overwhelming sentiment of the people,
Before the tariff bill was acted upon
Mr., Lewis, of Washington, for the
minority, offered as privileged ques-
ton to secure the adoption of reso-
luton declaring that the house, by its
three days adjournment in violation
of the constitution, was "disorganized
and unconstitutional and could not
give legality to the trust amendments
to the tariff BILL The speaker de-
clared the resolution not to be a privi
legged question, Mr. Lewis appealed
but the chair refused to put the appea
to the house,
The house spent the afternoon under
the special order adopted last week
listening to eulogies on the life anC
services of Judge Holman, of Indiana
At five o'clock, as a further mark o