Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-15

CONGRESS AT WORK GAIN.

ator Vest, OF Missouri, opene the bat +.
tie in opposition TO expansiq by in
PRODUCING the following join resolu-
tion:"That under the constitu on of the
United States, no power is GIN 10 the
federal government to acque terri
tory to be held and governe perma-
nently as colonies. The colaial sys-
TEN of European nations canot be es-
tablished under our present ,onstitu-
ton, but all territory acquire by the
the government, except sub small
amounts as may be necessary for
coaling stations, correction boun-
daries, and similar governmental pur-
poses, must be acquired and overned
with the purpose of ultimatel! organ
izing such territory into states,uitable
for admission into the Union. Navi-
CATION laws were briefly discussed and
then the Senate adjourned. BoUsE.-
A session of half an hour was held, at
which the deficiency bill carrying the
extraordinary expenses of the army
and navy from Jan. to July l, 1899 was
reported. The report of the Hawaiian
commission was laid before the house
and referred, together with bills of
fered by Mr.. Hit to carry out the
recommendations of the commission.
Senator Vest Dem. Mo- called up
his resolution declaring it to be uncon-
stitutional for this government to ac-
quire foreign territory except for coal
ing stations or some like purpose, un-
a.. - 10 g., TOT to
hood upon the territory and citizenship
upon its inhabitants. In lengthy
speech Mr.. Vest said that it was a
basic principle of this government that
1.-THE powers of the government were
derived from the consent of the gov
erned," and maintained that the fed
eral government had no authority
either in morals or in the constitution
to go beyond that principle. Senator
Plat rep, Conn., opposed Mr.. Vest
and said that at later date he would
go into the subject at length to show
wherein the Missouri senator was
wrong
During the consideration Of pension
bills Senator Vest (Mo.) protested
against the rushing of such bills
through the senate when there was
not quorum present and with only
the title being read. He was willing
to pay munifccntly and literally in
pensions, but insisted that these bills
should receive proper consideration.
Mr.. Gallinger On. H. chairman of the
senate pension committee, agreed with
| Mr. Vest
Senator Hoar precipitated lengthy
debate when he opposed the appoint
ment by the President of senator's g
| members of commissions whose act:
would have to be passed upon by
| the senate. The confirmation of tn,
| appointment of the Hawaiian commits
| sioners was under discussion at the
| time, and the matter was finally re
ferred to the judiciary committee, will
instructions to investigate and report
Rep. Hepburn, of Iowa, introduced ;
bill authorizing the President to ac
quire by purchase from the states o
ship, jurisdiction and sovereignty O
such land as may be desirable and nee
essary TO construct and defend shil
canal from ocean to ocean. The bill
also appropriates $40, 600, coo to con
| stuct the canal.
The house passed the anti-ticke
scalping bill by n vote of 119 to 1O1
Rep. Hull, chairman of the hous,
committee on military affairs, intro
| duced bill increasing the regular
army TO approximately 100000 men
The bill was framed at the war de
partment and is not the bill framed 10y
Gen. Miles. 1t gives total of ii regi
ments of artillery, II of cavalry and 81
of infantry.
Senators Hale (Vt.) and Hoar Mass.
presented resolutions OF citizens il
their states, demonstrating against tn,
extension of American sovereignty
over the Philippine islands and against
the acquisition of foreign territory
without the consent of the people OF
such territory.
Senator Morrill, presented petition
from the legislature of Vermont, ask
ing for the revival of the grade of adj
miral, and recognition of Rear Admiral
/ Dewey. Mr. Hale presented a bill tc
revive the grades of admiral and vice.
| admiral.
Senator Mccartney Ua.) introduced a
resolution requesting the President tc
enter into negotiations with Great
Britain for the purpose of modifying
the Clayton Bulwer treaty in SO far as
| it interferes with the United States
constructing, owning or controlling an
| inter-oceanic canal across the isthmus
of Darien.
Senator Vest introduced resolution
providing for the appointment of a
joint commission composed of three
senators and five members of the house,
to investigate the charges of corrup.
ton in the conduct of the war with
| Spain.
The urgent deficiency bill to provide
for the support of the military and
naval establishments was passed by
the house practically without opposi.
ton There was not word of criti-
cism of the war during the debate.
In response to the Presidents mes
sage Senator Hoar introduced resolu-
ton for a committee to prepare and
| carry out plans for the celebration of