The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-04
SESSION OF THE SENATORS.
MIR. WHITE INTRODUCES An ANTI
ANNEX ALTON RESOLUTION.

Attacking Mr.. COrbett's Right to IL
sent-President Called Upon for
correspondence in Relation to
Prussia's Edict Against American
Fruit--Irrigation of Arid Lands
and Government distribution OF
Seeds Discussed,
Washington, Feb S.-In his invocation
at the opening of the Senate to-day the
chaplain made a fervent appeal for the
restoration TO health of the senior sena-
tor from Mississippi, Mr. Walthan
bill repeating an act granting Ameri-
can register to the steamers Claribel and
others was reported and passed. Mr.. Frye
of Maine said that the act had been pass
ed under misrepresentation as the vessels
were owned by Englishmen.
Germany's order prohibiting the impor-
tation of American fruits into that empire
called out a resolution from Mr.. Davis of
Minnesota, chairman of the committee
on foreign relations, calling upon The Pres
ident, if not Incompatible with the public
interest, to transmit to the Senate the cor
respondence and other Information bear
ing upon the matter in his possession, or
in that of The state department.. The reso-
tuition was agreed to.
In accordance with notice previously
given, Mr.. Caffery of Louisiana called up
informally the resolution reported from
the committee on privileges and elections,
declaring that Henry w. Corbett is not
entitled to seat in the Senate from the
state of Oregon.
During the discussion of the appropria-
ton bill Mr. Cullum yielded to Mr.. White
of California for the introduction Of the
following joint resolution:
Resolved, That of right IL belongs
wholly to the people of the Hawaiian is
lands to establish ana maintain their own
form of government and domestic policy;
that the United States ought in no wise to
interfere Herewith, and that any inter-
vention in the political affairs of these
islands by any other government will be
regarded as an act unfriendly to the United
States"
The resolution was passed by the Senate
on May "a. 1894, having been reported by
Mr. Turpie of the committee on foreign re-
lations. Mr.. White asked that the resolu-
ton lie on the table
Mr. Chandler of New Hampshire, who
had Joined in a minority report, asserting
the right of Mr.. Corbett to seat in the
Senate, gave notice that he would call up
the case Informally tomorrow and press
it to vote as early as possible.
Mr. Caffery presented an extended legal
argument in support of the resolution pre-
scented by the majority of the committee
on privileges and elections.
At the conclusion of MIR. Caffery's speech
Mr. Lindsay of Kentucky gave notice that
tomorrow, at the conclusion of the rou-
tine business. he. would submit some, re-
marks Or a matter personally concerning
himself and in which he thought the SEN
ate would have some interest.
Mr. Cullom then called up the agricul-
tural appropriation bill. the reading of
which was concluded last evening. Pend
ing the submission of certain amendments
to the bill, Mr. Plat of Connecticut ex-
pressed regret that tine committee had
not stricken from the bill the appropria>
ton for the purchase and distribution of
seeds. He read a letter from a number
of members of a Connecticut Grange in
which the statement was made that the
seeds sent out by the agricultural depart
ed on, and were of no use 10 the farmers
and gardeners.
In reply. TO MrPlatt's brief statement.
Mr.. Allen thought that the chief opposi-
ton TO the governments distributing seeds
came from those who themselves had
seeds for sale.
Mr.. Bacon of Georgia thought there
ought to be a reform in the distribution of
seeds. He believed the department ought
to purchase seeds for distribution from
persons who were known TO raise and pro-
duce seeds of value In many instances
the seeds purchased were neither valuable
nor rare
This is the unmiugated humbug of the
whole thing" interiected Mr. Plat of
Connecticut
The amendment TO the agricultural bill
offered by Mr.. Warren providing for di-
vision of irrigation and reclamation of
arid lands, for the investigation of meth
DDS of constructing irrigation canals and
storing and distributing water in the re-
clamatlon of arid lands the whole to cost
$2l 800, was discussed briefly by its au-
thor, and by Mr.. Stewart of Nevada. II
was maintained that the adoption of the
amendment would be of enormous value
to the Western country.
Mr. Bate of Tennessee was Of the opin-
ion that the present proposition was sim
ply the first step in a mammoth scheme
u ltCldiHl the ara laHdS OF the country.
II was a beautiful idea, he said but the
finances of the country We're not at pres
ent in condition to enter upon the pro-
posed scheme. In addition, he maintain
ed, the proposition was wrong Abecause it
looked to the performance of wtrk by the
Federal government that ought to be done
by state or individual enterprise
Mr.. Gear of lowe called attention TO the
fact that 80 per cent. of the arid land was
government land
Mr.. Bate contended, however that the
time was not opportune to enter upon the
scheme proposed.
Mr.. Carter of Montana took issue with
some Of the statements of the senator from
Tennessee (Afr. Bate. He pointed out
that there was not plat of 100 acres of
the government land In the western coun-
try upon which settlement had not been
made except arid land He praised the
results of irrigation in various parts of
the world. and maintained that the govern
ment must either cede to the states the
arid lands or take up some proper and ad-
equate plan for the irrigation OF those
lands. He maintained that 1t was the bus
mess Of the government TO care for the in
terests of the people 10 the extent at least
which he outlined.
Mr.. Cullom proposed a substitute for
Mr.. Warren's amendment as follows For
the purpose OF collecting from agricui-
tural colleges. agricultural experiment