The Somerset reporter., 1898-03-10
AT WASHINGTON.

the Senate, late Friday afternoon, passed
the bill extending the homestead laws
and providing for right of way for rail-
roads in Alaska. Comparatively little
discussion of general interest was Great
ed by the bill. Sect. Is, providing for
certain bonding concessions to Canada
in lieu of privileges to be extended by
the Dominion Government to this
country, however, induced pretty live
ly debate.
In the House, Friday, the conference
report on the pension appropriation bill
| was agreed to. Mr.. Hit, chairman of
the committee on foreign affairs present
ed the report of committee on diplo-
matte and consular appropriation bill.
1t recommended the adoption of all the
Senate amendments, which was agreed
to.
The House has set aside next Friday,
for the consideration of the bill making
appropriations to pay certain Southern
war claims approved by the Court of
Claims under the provisions of the Bow
man act. The bill carries over 81 ,200,-
600. The claims were included in the
general deficiency bill vetoed by Presi-
dent Cleveland in the last Congress.
Only two bills we're passed during the
day one to pay the heirs of Sterling T.
Austin about $4,000 for cotton seized
during the war, and the other to pay an
aggregate of $500 in small claims
growing out of back pay, ETC., earned
during the war. At the night session
thirty-two pension bills and nine relief
bills were passed.
In spite of numerous conferences OF
off cials, the continuation of prepare
tions continue to be made on large
scale to put the country in a state of de-
fence and theoutburst of patriotic speech
es in Congress There is certain feel
ing apparent in the best informed circles
that the situation as to our relations
with Spain shows decided improvement.
A hearing has been given by the Sem
ate committee on commerce in relation
to the bill introduced by its chairman,
Senator Frye of Maine, to establish the
department of commerce and industries.
The bill provides for this new executive
department of the government, with a
secretary at its head, who is to have a
seat in the cabinet.
In session of patriotism, with elo,
quent words ringing in their ears, every
member of the House of Representa-
tives, Tuesday, responded to the Presi-
dents first call to meet the Spanish sit
uation by casting his vote for bill
placing in President McKinley's hands
$50, 100000 to be expended at his dis
erection for national defence. Party
lines were swept away and with unani-
nous voice Congress voted it's conf,
dence in the administration Many
members who were paired with absent
colleagues took the responsibility of
breaking their pairs, an unprecedented
thing in legislative annals, in order that
they might go on record in support of
this vast appropriation to maintain the
dignity and honor of their country.
Speaker Reed, who as the presiding
officer, seldom votes and usually only in
case of tie, had his name called and
voted in his capacity as representative.
The scene of enthusiasm which greeted
the announcement of the vote-ayes 81 /,
nays nothing-has seldom been parall-
ed in the House.
Wednesday the Senate unanimously
passed the national defense bill carrying
$50, 1888, 900; President Mckinley has
signed it and it is now law Not only
vote in favor of the bill, but for every
absent member the authoritative an
nouncement as made that if he were
present, he would vote aye. From the
time the bill was presented to the Senate
by Mr.. Hale of Maine, until it was pass
ed not an inharmonious note was sound
ed. Party lines were swept aside. In
the general outburst of patriotic feeling
pairs were broken, every senator being
anxious to register his vote on the meas
ure.
The statement is made at the Navy
department that the report of the court
of inquiry on the Maine disaster is ex.
pected next week.
Capt. Brownson has sailed for Europe
to investigate certain war ships that are
supposed to be for sale.
There are no new dist urbing features
in the Spanish-Cuban sitI zion. Queen
Victoria through Sir Julian Pauncefote
CONVEYS TO President Mckinley hei
qualification at the conservative course
pursued in the Cuban and Spanish situa-
tion and her sympathy with the efforts
made to relieve suffering humanity il
Cuba. This is timely and important.