The record-union., 1897-12-16
The Bill Finally Passed by Vote OF
Thirty-SeYen to Fourteen.
The Civil Service Question the
Chief Topic Of Discussion in the
House, Moody of Massachusetts
and johnson of Indiana De-
nouncing the Proposition to
Retire Clerks for Age.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The pro-
ceedings in the Senate We're to-day en-
livened by an interesting debate upon
the bill presented by the Foreign Re-
lations Committee, providing for the
prohibition of pelagic sealing by Amer
leans. The provisions of the measure
We're explained by Davis, Chairman OF
the Foreign Relations Committee, who
said that it was in aid Of negotiations
preferred among the representatives OF
the Governments Of the United States
Great Britain, Russia and Japan Pet
tigrew of South Dakota sharply antag-
onized the measure, saying that this
country had already suffered more than
enough humiliation on account of the
seal business. and that he favored the
settlement Of the question by killing
all of the seals as they appeared at
the rookeries Of the Pribyloff Islands
if, by the 1st of June next, Great Brit
ain also had not agreed to the prohibi-
tion of pelagic sealing. He offered an
amendment to that effect, but it was
defeated The bill was passed by
vote of 81 to IA.
Mcbride of Oregon endeavored to Sc
cure the adoption of his resolution, dl-
recting the Secretary of War to sup
ply relief 10 the suffering miners in the
Klondike region, and appropr1atlng
$50, 600 for that purpose. The resolu-
tion was amended so that the supplies
might be transported by means of rein
deer. Mcbride finally consented that
the resolution could be recommended
to the Military Affairs Committee, with
the understanding that it would be
promptly reported.
The session closed with spirited CIV
IL service debate upon the bill present
ed by the Census Committee, providing
for the appointment of a Director or
the Census and thirty-two employees,
who should form the skeleton Of an
office force for the twelfth census.
on motion of Chandler of New
Hampshire, the Senate passed bill
directing the Secretary Of the Navy to
report on the subject of a statue in
Washington City of the late Admiral
David Porter.
Among the many bills introduced was
one by Faulkner of West Virginia,
granting a right of way through a
part of Alaska for a railroad to the
gold fields, and another by Frye Of
Maine, providing for the erection of
steamboats, on the Yukon.
The concurrent resolution adopted by
the House. providing for a recess Of
Congress from Saturday. December IS.
1897, to Wednesday, January 10, 1898.
was laid before the Senate and referred
to the Committee on Appropriations.
Mcbride of Oregon then called up
his resolution directing the Secretary
of War to purchase supplies and to
transport such supplies as may be Of
fered for the relief of miners and other
sufferers in the valley of the Yukon
River, and appropriating $50, 1000 to de-
fray the necessary expense.
An amendment to the resolution pro-
viding for the transportation of the
supplies by means of reindeer was
adopted.
Hawley moved that the resolution be
referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs, promising that it should have
prompt consideration.
Mcbride, after stating his reasons for