Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-12-12
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, December y.
SENATE.

Resolutions of the chamber of COM
MERGE of Charleston, S. c., were pre-
sented in tie Senate to-day warmly en-
dor:ing that portion of the Presidents
message recommending the appoint
ment of sanitary commission to lnves-
tigate the yellow fever question, and
urging the South Carolina Congressman
to support bill therefor.
Senator Hoar introduced resolu.
ton to-day providing for joint Con.
gressional committee to consider mat
ters relating TO the centennial celebrs-
ton to be held in Washington in 1900.
Mr.. Vest then took the floor to argue
his anti-eXpansioD resolutions offered
last week. He said he did not propos g
to discuss any treaty questions. 1t was
not his purpose to say things that
ought not TO be said in an open session
of the Senate. The Missouri states
man was IN good voice and his ass @ ate
in the chamber settled down in their
seats evidently expecting an interest
ing speech. The FIRST fifteen minutes oil
his speech was devoted to constitution
al arguments. and then he vigorously
asserted that only within the last six
months had this Expansion craze"
seized the people. He insisted that
prior to that time, there was not 9 man
of material importance 10 the United
States who favored colonial possession g.
Every tribunal, since this coun.
try had shaken of the British
yoke, had been against the policy.
Mr. Vest opposed the idea OF taking
under the Jurisdiction Of the United
States millions of acres of foreign soil
and millions of foreign people. He
then proceeded TO argue that these
new propositions clashed with the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments
TO the constitution and urged Senators
10 adhere strictly to the principles OF
The constitution. He referred sarcasti.
cally to the attacks public men were
subjected TO ii they did not fall in line
aith the new ideas and indorse
/ the hateful colonial system of Europe
He freely quoted Thomas Jefferson
and referred TO the organization OF
| Louisiana and Florida as territories, and
the bringing of all our earlier acquisi-
tons in as territories under the jurisdic-
ton of the United States. 1t was the
same with Alaska.
One of Mr.. Vests most solemn and
interested listeners was MIR. Hale, OF
Maine, who is an ardent anti-eXpsn-
sionist. and who is meeting with some
opposition in his contest for re- election,
| according TO late adyices from the capi-
tai of his State.
Mr.. Vest spoke an hour. Mr.. Plat,
announced he would later on in the
week, reply to the arguments submit
ed. MIR. Plstt tavors expansion.
TIE Nicaragua canal bill was then
taken up. Mr. Morgan submitted some
additional documents to be printed. he
| then asked to have the bill read.
The reading of the bill consumed a
great deal of time. Mr.. Morgan then
commenced his speech in favor of the
bill and will probably consumed the
remainder of to-day's session.
HOUSE.
Frank a. Mclean, of Mississippi,
was sworn in as new member. Notice
was given that the District OF Columbia
appropriation bill would be called up
to morrow morning. The House then
took up the act to acquire by condemna-
ton land and water rights at the Great
Falls of the Potomac for the United
States.
This matter was temporarily laid
aside and the bill taken up to permit
the recorder of deeds, of the District of
Columbia, to use the type writing
machine in recording deeds.
The bill was slightly amended aud
passed. The House then resumed con-
sideration of the Potomac Falls matter.
Mr.. King, of Utah, leading the debate
for the bill.