The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-02-17
Congressional Proceedings.

SATURDAY.-On the opening of the Senate
Mr.. Perkins of California secured consider r
alton of joint resolution directing the Sec
Rotary of the Navy to employ naval YES
sci or chartered ship to convey grain to
the famine-stricken people of India The
resolution recites that famine and plague are
causing great distress and loss of thousands
of lives in India; that the famine can be in
part stayed by supplying the surplus pro-
ducts Of other localities to the distressed
districts, and that many of the Western
States have contributed grain. The resolu-
ton, therefore disects the Secretary of the
Navy to place a suitable naval vessel at the
service of the authorities at San Francisco,
or TO charter vessel of 1,5U0 to 5000 tons
for the shipment of contributions. The ap-
preparation necessary for expenses is pro.
vided. There was no discussion of the
resolution, and it passed unanimously. Mr.
Allen of Nebraska offered resolution di-
rectiDg the civil service commission to re-
port on recent discharges OF cattle inspec-
tors at South Omaha. The resolution went
over, and the Senate went into executive
session. - The House went into COM
mittee of the whole with the sundry civil
bill under discussion. The bill consists of
Ill pages, and 1t requires several hours to
read it in full. As soon as the House had
gone into committee of the whole Mr. Can
non, in charge, asked unanimous consent
that the bill be considered as having been
read the first time, which was granted.
MoNDAY.-Mr. Morgan succeeded in side
tracking the general treaty Of arbitration in
the Senate, and developed new sensation.
In open Senate he called up his resolution
declaring the Clayton Bulwer treaty to be
abrogated. Mr., Sherman objected and con-
tended that this resolution, being Joint in
its character, could not be considered dur
ing the morning hour without being voted
upon. The chair sustained him and Mr..
Morgan took an appeal Several efforts
were made to secure unanimous consent,
but Mr.. Sherman objected every time.
Then Mr.. Morgan moved to take up his res
olution, and to the surprise OF every one II
prevailed by the close vote of 80 to 81. The
Senate then went into executive session and
Mr.. Morgan discussed the resolution at
length. Mr.. Morgan read freely from the
messages OF presidents and from state de-
partment reports and notes of secretaries to
our diplomatic agents abroad to show that
this treaty had been repeatedly violated by
Great Britain and was held to be null and
void. The resolution was finally referred
to the committee on foreign relations, At
the close OF the executive session twenty
four private pension bills were passed.
- The House adopted resolution pro.
viding for evening sessions to consider pri-
vate pension bills. Under a suspension of
the rules the sundry civil bill was passed,
as were the following bills: To supply the
national guards OF the various states and
territories with modern Springfield rifles OF
forty-fve caliber in exchange for their pres
emit rifles. To lend to the city OF Buffalo,
N. Y. certain tents for use during the
Grand Army encampment to be held there
next summer. Also Senate resolution au-
thorizing the secretary of the navy to furn-
ish naval or other vessel to transport to
India certain supplies donated by the west
ern states for the relief OF the starving PEG.
pie OF that country.