The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-15
D0InCSaOF CONGRESS.
Abstract of the Important Proceed
ings.

| lDgS.
The first week Sof Congress- rs usual, was
not one of an overwhal ming amount of busi
ness accomplished. The opening day, Dec.
5, was marked by the customary scenes.
When the gayel iellat noon in the Senate
Chamber the floor resembled garden with
weil-defined walks almost every Senator
was the recipient OF some floral offering from
his friends or constituents.
The session was spent in listening to the
Presidents message.
Members were remarkably slow in coming
into the hall, and at noon, when the Speaker
made his entrance there were not 80 in their
seats.
Gen. Joe Wheeler was n star of the occas-
| ion, and his desk was surrounded for long
| time with the constant flow of those coming
up to him. MIR. Bailey, whom those who do
not like him on his side of the House de
risively style Leader" Bailey wore per-
iectly seli-satisfied air as he strolled back and
forth exchanging greetings.
| The Presidents message was duly read,
the most interest centering on what was said
about the war with Spain.
| In The Senate the first note of the anti-ex-
| pansloniSlS WAS sounded on Dec 6 by Senator
| Vest, OF Missouri, who introduced JOINT
resolution declaring that, under the Constitu-
| ton, the Federal Government had no author
ity to acquire colonial possessions to be gov
| erned as such, but all territory acquired by
| the Government except us may he necessary
| for use rs coaling stations, correction OF
boundaries and similar purposes may be ac
quired with the purpose of organizing terri
tories suitable ultimately for admission into
the Union as States. Mr.. Vest announced
his purpose to address the Senate on the
resolution at an early day.
| The House was III session less than half an
hour when the deaths of Representatives
Northway, of Ohio, and Love, of Mississippi,
Were announced, ana an adjournment was
| taken out of respect 10 their memory
| In the Senate Dec Z Mr.. Hawley, of Con-
necticut. Chairman of the Military Affairs
Committee introduced the bill Tor the re
organization OF the Regular Army prepared
| by Mai. ten Miles.
! The Senate went into executive session,
| and long debate ensued upon the subject OF
| confirmation of the Hawaiian Commissioners.
| senator Hoar made vigorous protest against
the practice OF appointing Senators upon
| such commission. lie said tiieso Senators
were, when appointed. acting under the di-
| rectlon oil ami became tie duly authorized
agents OF the President to carry out his ideas
| and wishes What became of their func-
| tons as Senators, he asked, when the report
| they make, as III the case OF the Hawaiian
Commission, came before the Senate, a co
ordinate branch Of the Government? Mr..
| Hoar intimated that Senators acting for the
| President commission might be placed
| In The position OF supporting a cause which
| they as Senators5wouii reject
! The question was referred to the judiciary
| Committee with Instructions IL invest. gaze
and report upon the termination Of the COM
| mlSs.oneTs.
| The House passed The anti-scalping bill
by a vote of ll9 to 1D1. Before the final
vote was taken there was long and spirite,
discussion OF the mcasdre.
In the Senate ON Dec. 8 Mr. Vest intro
duced resolution providing for the appoint
nrnt OF a JOINT commission 10 investigate the
charges OF corruption In the conduct OF the
war with Spain. Tie preamble to the re o.
| luton recites that charges have be- made
| lii the public press, over the Signatures oi re-
sPonslble parties, that inIpop ala corrupt
means have been used To secure contracts
rom the Government for the purchase of
vessels Tor the Navy and for tile furnishing
OF clothing and other necessary articles for
the Army of the United STATES during the
war with Spain at excessive and exorbitant
rates.
The resolution calls for the appointment OF
three Senators and five members of the House,
ana imposes upon them the duty Of inquir-
ing as to the truth OF all such charges and
make report by bill or otherwise"
Mr Gallery, of Louisiana introduced this
resolution:
That it is the sense of the Senate of the
United States that the President enter into
negotiation with the Government of Great
Britain ior tie purpose OF abr0gatiGg or modi-
flying the Clay to3-Buwer treaty, so far aud
TO the extent that the same may lie deemed
TO prevent the United States from owning.
constructing. controlling or operating an in
teroceanic canal across the Isthmns of Da-
rieu"
Dir. Morgan called m the Nicaragua Canal
bill, with view to making it the unfinished
business. lie moved that the Senate pro-
ceed to the consideration OF the bill and his
motion was carried. The Senate then. on
motion OF Mr. Morgan, adjourned until Mon
day.
The House passed the urgent deficiency bill
for the support of the military and naval
establishment during the six months begin
Mr.. Mcl:ae Ark. D said there was no
purpose on his side Of the House to oppose
the appropriations in the pending bill, but
lac did not believe its passage should he con-
strued as in any way inter preting the act
creating tic volunteer army. lie gave notice
oil ali amendment declaring that nothing in
the pending bill should construe, extend or
modify section a of the act of April %, Gre
ating the volunteer army. The amendment
was adopted.
In the Senate on Monday Mr.. Vest spoke
to his resolution declaring that it is uncon-
stitutional for the Federal Government to
acquire territory for the purpose Of estab-
iIshlng permanent colonies.
Senator Morgan spoke in consideration of
the Nicaragua Canal bill.
DEATH OF CEN. GARCIH.
Cuban Leader Dies of Pneumonia at WASH