Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-24
BILL.
Senate Passes the Measure After
Increasing the Appropriation.
BANKRUPTCY BILL IN TIL EOuSE.


WASHINGTON, Feb. lin the senate
yesterday the fertilization bill was
taken up. Senator Perkins said that
the committee on appropriations was
unanimous in its action in increasing
the aggregate sum appropriated by the
house bill. An amendment offered
by Senator Chandler increasing the
amount appropriated for powders and
projectiles for q reserve supply for
armament and Notifications from $780,
8lS to $95O,lls was accepted. This
completed the consideration Of the
bill and it passed without division.
Senator Morrill,, OF Vermont, occu-
pied the entire time with speech OPP
posing the ratification OF the Hawaiian
annexation treaty. The speech was
intended TO show that the acquisition
Of the Hawaiian islands would be
against good policy and the traditions
Of this country. He had always stood
against the acquisition Of distant lands
and was still opposed to that policy rs
one calculated to undermine the integ-
rity Of the republic Senator Morrill,
took up most Of the questions which
have been discussed in connection with
the treaty, dealing especially with the
subjects Of the strategic Importance Of
the islands to the United States, with
the difficulty Of assimilating them
SO as to render the islands de-
srable as an integral part Of
the United States. He said that
commercially, Hawai's interest had
been vastly exaggerated and con-
tended that annexation would result
In the inevitable destruction OF the
beet sugar industry Of the United
States because OF the inability Of
American labor to compete with the
coole labor employed on the Hawaiian
sugar plantations. From q military
point Of view he argued that the con-
troll Of Hawaii would be source OF
weakness rather than of strength, be.
cause navy would be required for its
defense in time Of war, while in the
time Of peace we should not need the
islands on this account.
The debate on the bankruptcy bill,
which Is to continue until Saturday,
when vote will be taken, opened In
the house yesterday, but it attracted
little attention, the interest Of the
members being entirely absorbed by
the disaster to the Maine. At times
the hall Of the house was almost de-
serted, the members being congregated
In the Hobbies or cloak rooms discussing
the accident and specializing upon its
probable consequences. Just before
the house adjourned, Mr.. Boutelle,
chairman of the naval committee, pre-.
sented resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted, expressing regret for
the disaster, coincidence with the fam
lilies Of those who lost their lives and
sympathy with the injured.
WHITES AT vINITA WANT SCHOOLS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-The acting
secretary Of the interior yesterday
sent to congress petition signed by
about 900 citizens OF Vinits, l. T., re-
questing congress to make an appro-
priation for the education Of the white
children In that territory. The petit
TONERS represent that in the territory
there are about 200, 1000 or 100000 citi-
zens, white and colored, whose chill
dren are entirely without educational
facilities They state that the Indians
have suitable provision to educate
their children, but that they do not
allow white or colored children whose
parents are citizens of the United
States to attend their schools and for
those reasons they look to congress fol
relief.
THE CURTIS INDIAN BILL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE Indian
committee met yesterday to consider
the Curtis Indian bill. The considera
ton OF the bill was not concluded, ant
q report will not be made for somt
days. Mr.. Benton, Of Missouri, pro
posed an amendment having for it,
object the ratification of the Cherokee,
deeds to townsites in the territory
which was vigorously opposed BY
Messrs. Curtis and Little. The amend
ment was still under discussion at tn,
time of adjournment. The committe,
will meet again to-day to consider TIN
Indian appropriation bill.
THE TERM OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, Feb. !7.-The hous
committee on the election of president
vice president and representatives il
congress has authorized a favorable re
port on resolution to propose to tn
various state legislatures an amend
ment to the constitution, as follows:
The house Of representatives shall be com
posed Of members chosen every fourth year b
the people OF the several states and electors
each state shall have the qualifications reou
site for electors Of the most numerous branc
OF the state legislature.
SOUTHERN CONTESTS.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-House ele,
tions committee has decided In fave