The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-12-16
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS MEETS.
The senate-.wednesGay.

Mr.. Davis, of Minnesota, reported
from the committee on foreign rela-
tions a bill prohibiting the killing of
fur seals in the North Pacific ocean,
asking immediate consideration Mr..
Allen, of Nebraska, presented reso-
luton declaring it to be the sense Of
the senate that congress should, with
all due and convenient speed, acknowl-
edge by act the political independence
of Cuba. Mr.. Allen said he had long
urged the United States to recognize
the independence of the Cuban insur-
gents. He would not be content with
the recognition of belligerency, but
would insist upon the acknowledge
ment of absolute political liberty -.
Senator Pettus introduced bill to
provide for the purchase of site for
postoffice and custom house In Selma,
Ala. The same is to cost not more
than $1OO, 900.
Senator Jones is preparing to take
the lead in the fight against the annex
alton of Cuba, while Morgan will be
one of the leaders in the fight in favor
of the measure, and will take very
prominent part in discussions.
No other matters Of importance
coming up, the senate at 1915 ad-
journed.
In the House.
The session of the house today
lasted only fifteen minutes. Mr.. W.
A. Stone, republican, of Pennsylvania,
reported the pension appropriation
bill, the first of the appropriation
bills. The committee on elections
and the committee on banking and
currency we're given leave to sit DUR
ing the sessions of the house.
The Senate-Thursday.
In the senate today Mr.. Hoar, of
Massachusetts, presented a petition
signed by 21,259 native Hawaiians,
protesting against the annexation of
Hawaii i. !. Mr.. Mcbride, of Oregon
secured the passage of a resolution
asking the secretary of war for such
information concerning the needs of
the Alaskan miners in the Yukon val
ley as he might have in his possession
80. The senate began the considera-
ton of private pension bills under the
special order. During the hour allow.
ed forty-five bills were passed, the
majority of them being for increases to
pensions now received. The bill
providing for the taking of the census
of 1900 will be taken up Monday -.
Adjourned till Monday.
Tho IJn,,aa
The house today entered upon the
consideration of pension appropria-
bills and stirred up debate that
promises to continue for several days.
Private John Allen, of Mississippi,
who lead The assault in a speech char
acteristic of his humor, attacked the
system. 1t was admitted on both
sides of the house that the $140, ,000,-
carried by the bill for pensions would
not cover the expenditures.
The contest of Grove against Rep
resentative Underwood, in the Ninth
Alabama district, will be called for
Dec. Is. The case of w. F. Aldrich,
of the Fourth Alabama district, who
has entered contest for this seat,
now held by I. S. Plowman, has been
set for hearing before the elections
committee No. l on Dec. II.
The House-Friday.
At the opening of the session of the
house today it was agreed that when
the house adjourned today it be to
meet on Monday !. On motion of Mr..
Foss rep, Ills.), Saturday, December
Is, was set apart for paying tribute to
the memory of the late E. d., Cooke of
Illinois The house then resumed the
consideration of the pension appropria-
ton bill which was debated yesterday,
and after a spirited debate passed
without amendment The amendments
offered by the democrats to correct
alleged existing abuses were all ruled
out on the point of order that they
were new legislation. AS passed, the
bill carried $141, 1868, $50. Mr.. Hit,
chairman of the committee on foreign
affairs, asked unanimous consent for
the passage of the bill reported by his
committee to prohibit the killing of fur
seals. He explained the necessity for
the immediate passage of the act owing
to the diplomatic negotiations now
pending. The house then adjourned
till Monday.