The record-union., 1898-02-25

SunQry C1VA APPA0P
Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb pa feature
of the Senate's session to-day was the
speech CT Spooner of Wisconsin on the
right of Henry w Corbett to seat IN
the Senate from Oregon under appoint
ment of the Governor. Spooner nade
a constitutional argument in favor oI
seating Mr. Corbett, and had not con-
cluded when the Senate adjourned. An
effort was made to obtain consideration
of the Alaskan homestead and railway
right of way bill, but on parliament
ary technicality it went over The res
olution offered yesterday by Allen OF
Nebraska to appoint a committee ol
five Senators to investigate the CUBAN
situation was withdrawn by its auihof
when It was laid before the Senate
At the opening of the session or the
Senate the chaplain prayed that IN this
momentous hour of our history the
blessing of the Holy Spirit might rest
upon The President and Vice-President
of the United States, both branches cf
Congress and all the people of the coun-
try. He prayed that the honor and
dignity and rights of our country might
be upheld.
A Joint resolution providing for an
estimate Of cost of making channel
through Double Bayou, east side CT
Galveston Bay, Texas, was adopted.
At the conclusion of the mornings
business the ce-Presdent laid before
the Senate the resolution of Allen of
Nebraska, which was laid over from
yesterday. 1t provides for the appoint
ment of five Senators to make an in
qury into the condition of affairs in
Cuba, with a view to bringing the war
to a peaceful end.
Allen said that being satisfied that
from the vote on his amendment yes
terday the fate of this resolution was
quite we'll sealed, he would withdraw it
from further consideration of the Sen
ate.
Hansbrough of North Dakota called
up the bill extending the homestead
laws and providing for right of way
for railroads in the District of Alaska.
Rawlins of Utah objected TO consider
alton of the measure at this time as it
was subject too important to be taken
up hastily.
Hansbrough then moved that the bill
be taken up, and Rawlins demanded
the yeas and nays. Ii was decided-43
to 9-to proceed with the measure
After a brief desultory discussion,
Hansorough consented not to press the
bill until Spooner had delivered his
speech Cn the Corbett case.
Spooner made a legal argument in
favor Of the admission of Henry w
Corbett to the Senate. He said that
as a lawyer he felt that he himself had
no higher or better right to a seat in
the Senate than Mr. Corbett
Spooner said that the primary power
to fill seats in the Senate from any
State was in the Legislature Of the
State. but in the reading of the Consti-
tuition it ought to be remembered that
this very matter was one of dispute in
the Constitutional Convention. He
pointed out that the Constitution pro-
vided that each State should be the
peer of every other State. not in pop
ulation, not in wealth. not in area. but
in the number OF votes in the Senate.
While the Constitution could be amend
ed by the action of two-thirds of the
States, it was expressly provided that
no State could be deprived of repre-
sentarion in the Senate without it's con-
sent. 1t was the purpose undoubtedly
of the trainers of the Constitution. in
placing IL the Governor the power to
make temporary appointment. to safe
guard the rights and interests of The
State so that every State at all times
might have fun and complete repre-
sentation in the Senate
Hansbrough again endeavored 10 get
before the Senate the Alaska home
stead and railway right of way bill.
Wilson Of Washington said vehement
iy: There is no more important bill
on the calendar than this Ii is of the
greatest possible interest and impor-
tance to thousands Of people in our
Northwestern States"
The Senate was about to proceed
with the bill, when Rawlins OF Utah
made the point of no quorum A roll
call developed the lack OF a quorum.
and Rawlins moved to adjourn Divis-
ion was demanded. and the Senate ad-
journed at 4:3o p. m. by a vote of Il
TO IA
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON. Feb. 24.-The House
devoted itself strictly TO business to-
day and disposed Of thirty additional
pages of the sundry civil appropriation
bill.
pairing for contingencies was recog-
nized in the House to-day. when Chair
man Cannon who has been laboring TO
keep down appropriations. accepted
without a word Of protest an amend
ment 10 increase the appropriation to
care for the unused machinery at the
Springfield arsenal. Gillette explained
that the necessity for using this ma
chinery might occnr at any time
Resolutions which were objected to
a few weeks ago for the appointment of
two extra naval cadets to positions in
the Engineer Corps OF the navy were
also adopted One Of them will fill
a vacancy caused by the death Of Lieu
tenant Merritt Of the Maine
The item in the bill placing at the
disposal OF the quarantine service the
Government unexpended epidemic
FUNDS amounting now to $4,000. cre-
ated considerable debate. Several South
ern members desired the appropriation
of an additional 100000, arguing that
In the event of a recurrence OF the yell
low fever epidemic the funds on hand
might not be sufficient.
The Southern members. however,
were not a unit in demanding the In
creased appropriation. Bailey CD OF
Texas. for instance. opposed Govern
ment control of quarantine, declaring
that quarantine regulations should be
left to the States.