Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-12-14
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. December IA.
SENATE.

During the morning hour in the SEN
ate unobjecled-to bills were considered
mostly private pension bills.
Mr.. Hale introduced bill to provide
suitable medals for officers and men of
the Navy and Marine Corps for excep-
tionsl and meritorious service in the
line of duty. The medals are to be OF
bronza, with clasps and ribbons, They
are to be of three grades The first Is
TO be known as ''honor medal'' to be
presented by the President in person.
The second and third are to be known
as the courage" and "service," re-
spectively, and to be presented by the
Secretary of the Navy. Increase of pay
goes with these distinctions and officer
! boards are to decide who are entitled to
the honors.
Mr.. Penrose offered joint resolution
providing for the printing of 5000 adj
ditional copies of the report on the fl
nancial and industrial conditions of the
Philippines, the supply having been ex'
hausied and there being heavy de-
mand for the book.
Mr.. Hoar put in another large batch
of petitions from ciGzens of New Eng
land protesting against territorial ex-
pansion.
Mr.. Vest made a vigorous attack
upon thu system that enables fraudu-
lent claims to go through, and he
charged that there was wholesale
spoliation" of the Treasury in the To-
terest OF the raiders. Mr.. Vest de-
manded that reform should be inaug-
urnted.
Mr.. Gallinger replied, and said that
before reform could be brought about
the general pension laws should be
amended.
There was considerable discussion
over The proposition to publish the pen
siou list.
Mr.. Gallirger said this would cost
several million dollars.
MIR. Jones. of Arkansas, reported
favorably from the commitree on con-
tingent expenses the resolutions offered
by Mr.. Vest to investigate the charge
that army and navy contracts had been
improperly awarded during the war
with Spain and 10 investigate the delay
in the construction of the new postof
fee for the city of Washington.
The last Was adopted, but under an
objection from Mr.. Platr the other
went over.
Mr.. Proctor offered resolution pro-
yiding for the appointment OF special
committee OF five Senators to visit
Cuba and look into the military, civil,
sanitary and industrial conditions Of the
island. The resolution was referred to
the com mittee on contingent expenses.
The Senate considered to-day the
navigation bill relating to vessels that
are wrecked on our coasts aud raised
and repaired in this country and then
given American register. Mr.. Elkins
had it in charge. Mr.. Gallery opposed
the bill. 1t temporarily displaced the
Nicarsguan canal bill.
HOUSE.
The first matter that gos any lengthy
consideration by the House this after
noon, was brought up by Mr.. Danford,
Of Ohio, who called up the Senate bill
TO amend the immigration law. Mr..
Bartholdt opposed present considera-
ton. Mr.. Danford demanded the ayes
and nays. The vote was 10l ayes, l04
nays, and Mr.. Danford lost
The pension appropriation bill was
reported. It carries Sl44, 100000, ST.
600, 900 of this is for claims arising out
of deaths and injuries caused by the
Splnish.American war.
Mr.. Dingley, OF Maine, asked 10
animous consent for Mr.. Grew, ofPenn
sylvanis, to make few remarks on The
COMMITTEE of the whole House oa the
State of the Union"
Mr.. Grow gave historic sketch OF
the custom of going into Committee OF
the whole He said it arose from de-
sire to really hear about Ties tate of the
Union and debate freely before resolu-
tons were prepared aud adopted.
The point OF his remarks was that
this committee of the whole was adopt
ed for the purpose OF giving as free and
full debate as the Senate always has al.
lowed. He declared the old formula
was the proper thing. Some members
had shown asperity at the last session
because their speeches were cut off,
when not relevant to the subject; but
the speaker maintained the debaters
should be ccnfned to the state of the
Union. He recalled how the little band
of free-soilers years ago had had hear
ing only because of the free debate al
lowed ip the committee OF the whole
Mr.. Grows remarks brought forth some
discussion, one of the democrats
from Iudiana, declaring he hoped the
rules OF the Fifty.sixth Congress would
be so amended as to give speakers q
chance.
Mr.. De Almond made an interesting
address in behalf OF freedom of debate,
and said that no doubt if the House
would go back to the old method in its
true spirit, no members would be re-
stricted.
The President sent message to Con.
gress transmitting a report OF the Secre-
tary of Agriculture on the shipment of
horses abroad.
The House tried to take up an amend
ment to the Chinese exclusion act, but
made no progress, and at 2:l0 p. N.
adjourned.
By R. F. Knox, Auctioneer.
| GALE OF VALUABLE BUILDING LOTS.