Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-12-15

EXPANSION AND CANAL BILL COME
UP FOR DISCUSSION.

Argues Against Policy OF Acquiring Colo
mics as Observation-Disclosures Opens
Debate on Nicaraguan Canal Bill-Re-
port Made ON District OF Columbia Bill.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-Discussion of
two questions. each of importance and
interest at this session, was begun by
the senate Monday. The territorial ex.
ansion and the construction of the
Nicaragua canal occupied the attention
of the body during the greater part of
the afternoon.
AS soon as the morning routine bust
ness had been disposed of Mr.. Vest
(Dem., Mo- called up his resolution
offered last week, declaring it to be un.
constitutional for this government to
acquire foreign territory. except for
coaling stations or some like purpose.
unless its intention was to confer state
hood upon the territory and citizenship
upon its inhabitants. Mr.. Vest declared
that it was basic principle of this
government that "the powers of the
government were derived from the con.
sent of the governed" and maintained
that the federal government had no
authority either in morals or in the
constitution TO go beyond that principle.
He held that the principle had been sus-
tanned by the supreme court in various
decisions and that no public man of
prominence and no recognized tribunal
had ever been reckless enough to con-
trovert it. Mr.. Platt (Rep., Conn. took
issue with Mr.. Vest and announced that
at some convenient time in the near
future he would offer some remarks on
the resolution, in the course of which
he would endeavor to show that the
Missouri senator was wrong in his IN
depreciation of the constitution and in
accurate in his deductions from the law.
Mr.. Morgan opened the debate ON the
canal bill with three hour appeal for
action at this session. The whole coun-
try, he said, would be disappointed if
congress did not act. He was willing
to take any measure which would result
in the building of the canal, In the
course of his remarks he agreed to ac-
cept an amendment specifically except
ing the canal from neutrality with re-
gard to any country with which the
United States might be at war.
Mr.. Hoar and Mr.. Hale presented
resolutions of citizens of their states
demonstrating against the extension of
American sovereignty over the Philip
pine islands and against the acquisition
of foreign territory without the consent
of the people of such territory. The
resolutions were referred to tho com.
mittee on foreign relations.
House Passes Urgent Deficiency BIZ.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The urgent de-
ficiency bill, to provide for the support
of the military and naval establish
ments, was passed by the house Thurs
day, practically without opposition. A
fear had been expressed that the meas.
ure might open up prolonged debate
on the conduct of the war, but the Dem.
ocratic leaders decided that such action
would come later on the appropriation
bills or on the bill for the reorganiza-
ton of the army. There was not
word of criticism of the war during the
debate. The only point upon which an
issue was raised was as to whether the
bill, providing, as it did, for the pay
ment of the volunteers until July, 1899,
might not be construed as a modifica-
ton of the law under which the volun-
teers We're mustered into service. Mr..
McRae offered an amendment, provid-
ing that it should not be so construed,
and upon it there was a general discus.
sion as to the ACCESSIBILITY of mastering
the volunteers out before the regular
army was increased. Mr.. Cannon finally
accepted the McRae amendment, and
that was the only shadow of opposition
to the bill. A number of amendments
were adopted, upon the recommended
ton of the appropriations committee.
which received some supplemental esti-
mates after the bill was prepared. Tho
largest of these was an item of So ,OOO,-
600 for an emergency fund for the war
department and S57S,000 for the ord
nance department., increasing the
amount carried by the bill to 500, $685.
S92. The house adjourned until Monday.
House Pas cs Anti-Scalper Bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-The house yes.
terday passed the anti-ticket scalping
bill by vote of 119 to 102. This action
is the elimination of 10-years' strug-
gle on the part of the railroads to put
an end to the business of ticket scalping.
Minor Matters In the House.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.--The house
spent the larger part of the day ON Dis
trict of Columbia affairs. The bill to
relieve the condition of the American
seamen was taken up, but nothing was
accomplished.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR.
President Gompers Opens the Convention
at Kansas City.
K CtIrN non The