The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-19
REST FOR CONGRESSMAN
NATIONAL. LEGISLATURE ADJoURNs
FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
VIII Not RecOnvene Until Jan. 5-BiM
for Relief of KIOndilxers Signed
Secretary Ayers Preparations.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-To-day's open
session of the Senate was brief, the time
being occupied in the introduction of bills
and resolutions, several of the latter calling
for information from various departments
being passed. One of the resolutions agreed
TO increase from $4,000 to $62, 500 the amount
to be expended by the government on the
buildings at the tranSlnississippi interna-
tional exposition to be held in Omaha, and
reduced by $12,5O0 the sum to be expended
on the governments display. The original
amount was $15O,500. During the executive
session the Senate received and adopted
the conference report on the bill providing
for the extension of relief to the miners in
the Yukon river country.
Mr.. CullOm secured the adoption of a res
olution. directing the heads of the several
executive departments of the government
to inform the Senate what positions in their
department ought in their opinion, to be
exempted from the operation of the civil
service law, and what changes or moditica-
lions in the law ought to be made
Mr.. Allen introduced a resolution, which
was passed, directing the postmaster gen.
eral to inform the Senate of all railway
and steamship mail contracts made by the
United States now in force, the names of
persons or companies with whom they are
made, the service to be performed and the
sum to be paid by the United States.
Mr.. White presented a resolution, which
was agreed to, calling the President to
inform the Senate what action had been
taken In behalf of J. K. Spring and Charles
w. Nelson, citizens of California, held as
prisoners in the Republic of Colombia.
Mr.. Kyle introduced and had passed
resolution calling on the secretary of state
for all papers from the Haitian government
relating to Bernard Campbell.
On motion of Mr.. Hale the Senate then,
at 1910 p. m, went into executive session.
During the executive session the conference
report upon the bill providing relief for the
Klondike miners was received and adopted.
The bill appropriates 100000, to be expend-
ed under the direction of the secretary of
war, in the purchase of supplies for the re-
lief of the people in the Yukon river coun-
try or other mining regions of Alaska and
for their transportation and distribution
of such supplies, provided that, if the con-
sent of the Canadian government be OBJ
tanned, the secretary of war may extend a
relief into Canadian territory. The resolu-
ton further provides that the supplies may
be sold in that region at such prices as may
be fixed by the secretary of war, or donated
to those unable to pay for them. The secre-
tary of war is authorized to use the United
States army in carrying into effect the pro-
visions of the act, to import reindeer and
reindeer drivers for the transportation of
supplies, and to adopt such other provisions
as are practicable. The secretary is di-
rected, when the work shall have been COM
pleted, to sell the reindeer or turn them over
to the secretary of the interior, as in his
discretion, and to make detailed report to
Congress at the beginning of the next ses-
sion of all disbursements made and results
accomplished under the act. At p. m. the
Senate adjourned until Wednesday, Jan. 5,
1898.