The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-12-17
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS-.
work Of Our Natiopai IAwmaksss at wash-
ington Daring the CioslnE Days Of
the Fifty Fifth ssssion.

At the opening Of the senates session on the
fth Senator Hawiey (Conn), chairman Of the
military AFFAIRS committee. introduced bill
for the reorganization Of the regular army.
Senator Hoar tMassb secured the adoption OF
o resolution for committee OF seven senators
70 take action on that part Of the prssidontt
message relating to the celebration Of the CEN
tennisi Of Washington rs the nations capital
Ia the executive session lively debate was
had over recent appointments Of senators BY
the president on commissions Senator Hoar
(Masa) making vigorous protest against the
practice and asking what became Of their
functions as senator's when their report was
placed before the senate. Hon. John Hay was
confirmed es secretary OF state -. In the house
the anti-scalping bill was passed by vote OF
il9 to i0i, after q spirited debate lasting four
hours Mr. Hull Qa), chairman Of the CON-
mittes on military AFFAIRS introduced bill in-
creaslns the regular army TO approximately
0o.0o0 men. This bill 10 not the one framed by
Gen Miles
WHILE the senate was considering pension
bills on the calendar on the sth Senator
Vest (llol made vigorous protest agatnat
passing them by simply reading their titles
and when quorum was not present Senator
Vest also introduced q resolution for the ap-
pointment Of joint commission 10 Investigate
the charges Of corruption In the conduct OF the
war with Spain and bill prohibiting senators
and congressmen from serving on presl-
Dental commissions Senator Csnrey Ia)
introduced resolution 70 mcdify the
Clayton-Bu treaty as far IS IL
related to constructing . canal across
tho isthmus OF Darien Senator Mitchell
(Wia) introduced bill TO allow volunteers
disabled In the war with Spain 70 enter yolun-
teef soldiers homes The Nicaragua canal
bill was then made the unfinished business and
On adjournment was taken TO the 18th. The
house passed the urgent deficiency bill prac-
tically without opposition The amount car
ried BY the bill IL to9, $685. So2 The house then
adjourned 10 the 18th. to give committees an
opportunity to work without interruption
IN the senate on the 18th, as soon as the
morning routine business had been disposed Of.
Senator Vest mo called up his resolution de-
olaring II to be unconstitutional for the United
States government to acquire foreign territory
except for coalina stations or some other like
purpose uniessl It's intention was TO eoufer
statehood upon the territory. The senator con
tended that the principle had been sustained
BY the supreme court and spoke for over An
hour against territorial expansion Senator
Platt (Conn.l took issue with Senator Vest
and gave notice OF speech on the subject In
the near future Senator Morgan (Ala) then
opened the debate on the Niearauga canal bill
with Q three-hour appeal for action ~ this ses-
sion. Senator Pettigrew Is d. introduced .
bill for raising the battleship Maine and Sena-
tor Hoar (Mass) introduced reso-
luton looking 10 the mastering out
Of volunteers who had families depending
on them OF whose business afiAirs would bs
seriously interfered with BY longer eontinu-
Anca in the service 80. The house spent most OF
the day on District Of Columbia afairS Mn
Mcclellan IN W Introduced bill for the re-
organization OF the army and Mr. Hepburn Ua)
bill authorizing tho president 10 acquire by
purchase land In Costa R,ca and Nicaragua
necessary for canal and appropristlns ett0. :
Oco, 900 for the purpose Mr Hepburn also In
troduced aioiut resolution proposing % amend
ment 70 the oonatitution that no territory not
/ under the Jurisdiction Of the United States on
January I, iSoe. should be admitted into the
union unless three-fourths Of the members Of
both houses OF eongress voted afnrmaively for
such admiasion.