The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-03-18
WORK OF CONGRESS.
THE WEEKS DOlNGS IN SENATE
AND HOUSE.
A Comprehensive Digest OF the FRO
ceedings in the Legislative Cham
bers at Matters that
Concern the People.
Lawmakers at Labor.

Lawn akerS AT LaDCr.
The Senate went into executive session
promptly upon the receipt of the Cabinet
nominations, and as soon as the announce
ment was made of the appointment of
Senator Sherman, whose name headed
| the list. he was confirmed. 1t is the prac-
| tice to refer all nominations to committee,
but it was the desire of Mr.. Sheman's s
friends to signalize their regard for him
by immediate action. There was more
form than reality in the reference of the
other nominations to committee. Not one
of the committees held formal meeting,
they being polled on the floor of the Sen
ate in every instance. No objection was
made in committee to confirmation. While
the Senate was"in legislative session the
credentials of Mr.. Hanna as Senator from
Ohio, to succeed Mr.. Sherman, were pre-
sented by Mr.. Foraker and he was'sworn
in by Vice-President Hobart. Mr.. Davis
was also designated acting chairman of
the Committee on Foreign Relations to
succeed Mr.. Sherman. Beyond the usual
notification to the President. nothing fur
ther was done.
Most of the new Senators were on the
floor when Vice President Hobart called
the Senate to order at noon Monday. The
other Senators were not so prompt in
making their appearance. The galleries,
save that reserved for the diplomatic
corps, were thronged with curious visitors.
AS soon as the blind chaplain had de-
livered his invocation, Mr.. Pruden, the
Presidents executive clerk, appeared
with the nomination Of Oscar A. James. of
Michigan, as pension agent at Detroit,
which was afterward confirmed The last
communication of eX-Secretary Lamont,
transmitting certain papers called for by
a resolution of inquiry, was laid before
the Senate. The Vice President submit
ted some resolutions of the New York
Chamber of Commerce praying for the
early ratification and passage of the ar
hitration treaty. At 1912 p. M, on mo-
tlon of Mr.. Burrows Rep) of Michigan,
the Senate went into executive session.
Ihe remainder of the session was de-
voted to executive business and at 1:O5
p. m. the Senate adjourned until Wednes-
day.
There was an unusually large attend
ance of Senators when Vice President
Hobart called the Senate to order at
noon Wednesday. The first business was
the reading of letter from Gov. Brad
ley: of Kentucky, announcing the an
polntment of Andrew r. Wood as Sena-
tor to succeed Mr.. Blackburn. Mr.. Hoar
moved that the Senator elect be sworn in
Mr.. German moved that the credentials
of Mr.. Wood be referred to the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections. Mr.
Hoar did not object. and the Gre
dentials were referred. Then Mr..
Hoar presented written notice of two
proposed amendments to the rules of the
Senate of a radical nature. The most
important was, according to Mr.. Hoar's
written notice, ito enable the Senate to
act on legislation when it desires after
reasonable debate 1t provided that
when any bill or resolution had been nm
der consideration more than one day any
Senator could demand that the debate be
closed. If majority of the Senators so
decided there should be vote without
further delay and no action should he
In order pending the vote but one to adj
Journ or to take recess. The other
amendment proposed was to prevent the
interruption of the members of the Son
ate and provided that when Senator
made the point of mo quorum" there
should be roll call. and if the presence
OF quorum was disclosed business
should be proceeded with. On motion of
MIR. Aldrich Rep.). of Rhode Island. the
Senate went into executive session at
l2:l3. At 1910 p. N. the special session
sine die.