Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-04-15
WORK OF CONGRESS.
THE WEEKS DO,NGS IN SENATE
AND HOUSE.
A Comprehensive Digest Of the Pro.
cecdings in the Legislative Cham.
bers at Washington Matters that
Concern the People,
Lawn akers at Labor.

The Senate Monday by unanimous vote
adopted resolution recitng the reports
that Gen. Ruis Rivera, the Cuban COM
mander, is about to be tried by drumhead
court martial and shot, and expressing
the judgment of the Senate that il these
reports are true the President of the Uni
ted States should protest to the Spanish
Government against such a violation of
the rules of civilized warfare This res
olutlon was not sent to the House of
Representatives. but became effective az
measure of advice to the President bv
its adoption. After the disposal of the
Cuban question the day was given to
speeches. Mr.. Elkins speaking for two
hours on the development Of the .Ameri-
can merchant marine and Mr. Lindsay
advocating the passage of the Torrey
bankruptcy bill. A Joint resolution was
agreed to directing the Surgeon General
or the Marine Hospital service to MD the
mississippi River food sufferers by the
distribution of tents. blankets. food and
medicine under the epidemic fund of 1893.
and to purchase further supplies under
the present epidemic fund for distribu
ton.
Ihe Senate Tuesday was occupied by
discussion of Cuban affairs and the bank
ruptcy bill. The President sent to the
Senate the following nominations: Treas
ury-Alonzo j. Tyler of Tennessee. to be
collector OF internal revenue for the Sec
ono district of Tennessee: Park Agnew
OF virginia. to be collector of internal rev.
enue tor the sixth district of Virginia.
INavy-Theodore Roosevelt of New York,
10 be assistant secretary of the navy:
Captain A. s. Crowninshed. United
States navy. to be chief of the bureau of
navigation in the department of the navy;
Rev. William G. Cassard of Maryland.
to be chaplain in the navy. Postmaster
William Barrett Ridgely at Springfield.
III
The House acted promptly Wednesday
on the Presidents message and adopted
joint resolution authorizing the Sec
rotary of War to expend 100000 for the
relief of the food sufferers of the Mis-
sissippi Valley. Adjournment was taken
until Saturday. Cuba and the food suf-
ferers divided attention in the Senate
The reading Of the Presidents message
urging Congressional relief for the devas-
tated regions of the Mississippi River was
followed BY the passage of joint resolu-
tion offered by Senator Jones of Arkansas,
appropriating $15OOOO. to be Immediately
available for the food sufferers. 1t was
passed by the unanimous vote of the SEN
ATE. Inc plans were changed, however,
wnen the House resolution appropriating
SAO,UO for the Mississippi River and
Red River of the North was received.
1hls was accepted in lieu of the former
resolution and was passed unanimously.
Mr. Morgan of Alabama resumed his
speech in support of the resolution on de-
claring that state Of war exists in Cuba.
| The Senate Thursday heard Mr.. Nor
gan of Alabama for the third successive
day on his resolution declaring that a
state OF war exists in Cuba. Mr.. Nelson
OF Minnesota spoke for two hours on the
bankruptcy bill, opposing the pending Tor
rey bill. Mr.. Chandler offered a resolu-
ton. which was agreed to- as follows:
Resolved, That the Committee on Inter-
state Commerce be directed to investigate
the payments made or agreed to be made
BY the interstate commerce commission
for attorneys fees. and also to inquire
whether in any cases the attorneys of the
commission have also been employed by
| railroad companies in similar cases. and
further whether any additional authority
from Congress is required for the en-
ployment Of counsel in any pending pro-
ceedings which have been instituted by
or on motion of the commission" The
House gave no evidence of life.
The Senate met at noon Monday for the
first time since the death of ex-senator
VOORHEES,. who. until a recent day, was a
conspicuous member of the body. The
opening prayer Of Rev. DR.. Milburn, the
blind chaplain, made eloquent reference
to Mr.. Voorhees, brilliant talents, impas-
stoned ardor, kindling eloquence. genuine
patriotism and the unselfish dedication of
his great powers to every cause, human
and divine, which enlisted his career Di-
vine consolation was invoked for the fam
lily of the man who had inscribed his name
on the tablets which perpetuate the great
orators and statesmen of his generation.
immediately following the prayer Mr..
German of Maryland moved that as
mark of respect to their late associate the
Senate adjourn. adding that many Sen
ators desired to attend the funeral. The
motion prevailed. The House did nothing.