Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-02-11

Washington, Feb. 3.-The whole day
in the house was devoted to debate
on the appropriation bills. The diplo-
matte and consular bill was passed and
considerable progress was made with
the District Of Columbia bill. The bill
passed carries s1,673, 70S. A resolution
| arranging for the formal canyassing of
! the electoral vote of the last presiden-
| tial election Wednesday, Feb. 10, was
| passed.
Washington, Feb. "Wednesday
after a brief parliamentary strug-
| gle in the senate the friends of the
Nicaragua canal bill were unable to
hold a quorum and sit out the obStruc-
ton to that measure. Senator Villas
| dem, Wis., had continued his speech
in opposition, it being his third success
sive day. At 4:30 a cross fire of mo-
lions to adjourn and calls of the senate
began. Friends of the bill resisted
adjournment, while the opposition
Senator Villas a rest from his protract-
ed efforts. The parliamentary contest
continued at intervals for half an hour
when all business was suspended by the
absence Of quorum and refusal to
adjourn. The friends of the bill final
ly gave up hope of securing a quorum
and yielded to an adjournment. Mr.
Villas continues to hold the floor. In
his remarks during the day he asserted
that the ClaytOn-Bulwer treaty was in
full force and that the American peo-
pie would insist upon full and honor
able adherence to it's terms.
The senate agreed to the house reso-
luton fixing February 10 for the cere-
mony of counting the vote for pres-
dent and vice president before both
houses of congress. Little else of i'm
pCrtance came up.
Washington, Feb. "Wednesday
bill to protect lives and property
against MODS was introduced in the
house by Representative Stewart rep,
Wis.,. 1t provides that a city or cOun-
ty in which mob violence results in the
destruction Of property or injury or
loss OF life shall be liable for damages
and action may be brought against the
officers of the law for neglect Of duty.
In case Of death a sum not exceeding
$4,000 shall be awarded the relatives OF
the deceased.
The contested election case of Cor
nett VS.. Swanson of the fifth Virginia
district occupied the attention of the
house most of the day. Three repub-
Hcans and three democrats on the cleo
lions committee had reported in favor
OF the democratic contestee, Swanson,
and three republicans offered a minor
ity report recommending that the seat
be declared vacant on the ground that
a fair election could not be held under
the Virginia election law The ma
Jority report was sustained by Messrs.
Mccall rep, Mass }, Jones dem, Va
and Jenkins (rep Wis., and the con-
tentions Of the minority by Messrs.
Thomas rep, Mich.), Gibson rep,
Tenn and Mccall rep, TENN. When |
the vote was taken the minority could |
not muster enOught votes to call the |
yeas and nays, and Swansons title to |
his seat was confirmed by an over !
whclming viva Voc vote.
Washington, Feb. 4-The session of |
the senate was one of unusual activ-
lty, with sharp colloquies and vigorous
speeches which drew large crowds to
the galleries. The ball was set rolling
early when Mr.. Morrill, endeavored to
pass a bill prohibiting the use of intox-
lcants in the capitol building This
aroused the opposition of Mr. Hill
(dem., n. ", who denounced the busy
bodies and mischiefmakers inspiring
his class Of legislation. The senator
spoke for the fullest employment of
Individual liberty consistent with the
common good. The roll call on Hills
notion to commit was followed with
great interest. 1t was a tie at first but
he summoning OF senators defeated
he motion-yeas 81, nays 80. AS the
vote was announced Hill remarked: !
And having brought the bill before .
ne senate, we can now proceed to take
glass of beer" He went on to speak
II the hypocrisy of the bill He con- {
lnued to talk until 2 o'clock when the {
ill was displaced and the Nicaragua
anal bill taken up. Villas resumed his ;
speech in opposition but had not con-
luded when the senate adjourned. !
Among the minor bills passed by the {
ouse was one to grant a pension of i
90 per month to the widow of Major |
ieneral Jos. B. Carr and the senate
i'll to increase the pension of the q
7idow of Brigadier General John G
Tough. The house also agreed to the c
enate's request for a further confer /
nee on the immigration bill. &
Washington, Feb. 5.-Today the /
enate admitted Richard r. Kenney G
0 the Delaware seat vacated many f,
lonths ago by Higgins and which 4
ince then has been subject to contin- o.
Gus controversy. This has augment Il