The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-05-19
WORK OF CONGRESS

washington, May 7.-One war meas.
ure was passed by the senate. II was
plii 10 increase to fifteen the number
OF surgeons i'll the United States army
anu ~ authorize the secretary of war
W employ as mang contract surgeons
as ne hiSht deem necessary. Consid-
era'loh OF Il bill authorizing the post
master general to establish postotiices
Ill military posts and camps was
sought, but under objection it went
over until Monday. Almost the entire
session was consumed by discussion
or an amendment 10 the postottice an
preparation bill offered by Mr.. Petit
grew OF South Dakota providing for
reduction of 20 per cent i'm the COM
penSa'loll or railroads for the tranSpor-
tatlon OF mails. The amendment was
SUN pending when the senate ad-
journed until Monday.
Washington, May 10.-Fittng tribute
was paid by the senate TO Commodore
Dewey for the magnificent victory he
achieved in the battle of Man," bay.
message from the presiden vas re-
ceived recommending that vote Of
thanks be extended by congress TO
Commodore Dewey and the gallant Of
ficers and men Of his command With
out word Of debate and without dis
senting voice the senate agreed to the
resolution carrying into effect the rec
omnendation OF the president. The
senate went further even than that. A
Dill was presented increasing the num-
Der of rear admirals in the navy from
Sin to seven in order that the president
might nominate Commodore Dewey to
the highest possible post in the navy
within his gift, and that, too, was
passed without a dissenting vote. In
addition a joint resolution was unani-
mOusly agreed TO directing the secre-
tdry of the navy to present TO COmmO-
dOre Dewey
sword Of Honor,
and have struck. in cOmmemoratiOn OF
the battle of Manila, a medal of bronze
for each of the officers and men who
participated in the gallant fight. The
resolution appropriateS $4,000 TO en-
able the secretary the secretary TO car
ry its provisions into effect. The bill
offered last Friday authorizing the
postmaster general to establish post
offices ut military posts and camps in
order 10 facilitate the delivery OF mail
to soldiers, and was reported favOrably
by the poStOtlicc and post roads COM
mittee and unanimously passed. The
pOStotfiCe appropriation bill was under
discussion during almost the entire
session, the subject of discussion being
the proposition 10 reduce the COmpenSa-
ton of railroads 20 per cent for carry
ing the mails. The amendment was
defeated by the decisive vote of 40 TO =.
1t was unanimously agreed to vote on
the bill at > o'clock to-day.
House Acts Quickly.
re greater part of the day in the
house was consumed by war measures.
The recommendation of the president
that Il vote Of thanks be rendered Com
mOdOrc Dewey and his associate Of
ficers and men was followed quickly
with unanimous vote and with equal
concert the house passed the bill Gre
ating an additional rear admiralShip
for the hero of Manila. The bill pro-
viding for the organization of a volun-
teer engineer brigade and enlistment
of 10000 volunteer troops immune to
tropical diseases was passed after two
hours debate. The principal ground OF
opposition presented was found in the
features giving 10 the president the APP
pointment of all officers. The senate
bill authorizing the army 10 distribute
food among the suffering Cubans and
to arm the Cuban people was passed.