The Portland daily press., 1897-12-20
SATURDAY IN CONGRESS.
Senators After Information on All Manner
of Subjects.

Washington, December 1S.-Ln the Sem
ate today, Mr.. Cullom of Illinois secured
the adoption of a resolution directing the
heads of several departments of the gov
eminent to inform the Senate what po-
sitions in their departments ought. in
their opinion, to be excepted from the
operation Of the civil service law, and
what changes or notifications in the law
ought to be made.
Mr.. Platt Of Connecticut secured the
adoption of resolution calling upon
the Secretary of the Interior to report tic
the Senate the present status in the
Choctaw and Chicksaw nations in the In
dian Territory Of freedom of the Choctaw
and Chiekasaw Indians; and also his
suggestions and recommendations as to
further legislation properly to adjust
their status and settle their just claims.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska introduced re.
solution. which was passed, directing the
Postmaster General to inform the Senate
of all railway and steamship mail con-
tracts made with the United States now
in force, the number of persons and COM
panies with whom they ere made; the
service to be performed, and the sum to
be paid by the United States.
Mr.. White of California, presented re-
solution, which was agreed to, calling
upon the President, if not incompatible
with public interests to inform the Sen
ate what action has been taken in behalf
of j. K. Spring and Charles W. Nelson,
citizens Of California, held as, prisoners
in the Republic of Columbia.
Mr.. Kyle of South Dakota introduced
and had passed a resolution calling upon
the Secretary of State, for all papers from
the Haytien government relating to Ber-
nard Campbell.
On motion Of Mr.. Hale of Maine, the
executive session.
At 2 p. m, the Senate adjourned I'M
til Wednesday, January 5, 1896.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, December fS.-This being
the last day of the session before the
holidays, the chaplain of the House took
occasion in his opening prayer to refer
to the approaching season of peace and
good will, and to pay tribute to the
late Representative Cooke of Illinois.
whose eulogies were set for today.
The conference report on the emergency
relief measure for the Klondike country
was presented and adopted. 1t compro-
misses the amount of relief at $500, 600,
provides for securing the consent of Cam
ada to extending the relief. to the Cana
dian side and authorizes the use of the
army to carry out the relief measures.
1t also provides that the supplies must
be purchased instead of being donated.
The Speaker announced several COM
lnittee changes including Boyce of In
diana to succeed johnson of Indiana, ire
signed), as chairman of the elections
committee, and Codding of Pennsyl-
vania, to succeed Kirkpatric of Penn
sylvania, on Pacific railroads.
At 1873 p. m, Mr.. Boutelle of Illinois
offered resolutions of profound regret
of Mr.. Cook of Illinois and eulogies were
begun. 1t WAS the first time alr. Boutelle.
who succeeds Mr.. Cook, has spoken in
the House. He paid a high tribute to
the deceased and referred to President
McKinley's recent bereavement Those
who paid tributes TO the deceased men,
bers were Messrs. Boutelle, Foss, Hen
dereon, Boyce, Belknap, Mann, Brossius.
Hopkins. Dinsmore, Graft, Moody, Prince
and Peters.
AT 2.10 the eulogies being concluded
the House adjourned to January 5.
THE NATURALIZATIO LAWS.
Washington, December 18.--A proposit-
ion is being discussed to make tho
rough reform of the naturalization laws
on the lines of the immigration educa-
tional test bill. The measure has been
favorably reported by the house im1ni
grafton committee and will be taken IN
In the House after the holidays, The
committee comedies some opposition to
it, but believe the majority recognize
the necessity for some essential change.
IFS effect ia 10 require all inmi0rap +e -