Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-15
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Washington, Dec. 6.-The first note
OF the anti-expanionists was sounded
in the senate by Mr.. Vest (dem., Mo-
who introduced the following joint
resolution:
RESOLVED, the under the constitu-
ton of the United States no power is
given the federal government to ac-
quire territory to be held and governed
permanently as colonies and that the
colonial system of European nations
cannot be established under our con-
stitution, but all territory acquired by
the government, except such small
amount as may be necessary for coal
ing stations, correction of boundaries,
and similar governmental purposes,
must be acquired by the government
with the purpose of ultimately organ
izing such territory into states suitable
for admission into the union"
A brief discussion of the navigation
laws was precipitated by the consider
alton of the bill amending those laws
by the addition of provision that for
e1gn built vessels, purchased by citi-
Zens OF this country and repaired to
the extent of three-fourths of their
value, shall be subject to forfeiture if
they engage subsequently in coastwise
trade of the United States. Mr. Vest
expressed opposition to the bill, prin-
cipally because it afforded protection
to coaStWise trade. He believes our
carrying trade needs no protection
Under the present system of naviga-
ton laws this trade decreased from
Is to IL per cent. and this country is
now paying $150,000,O00 annually to
foreign ship owners for carrying trade
that ought to be carried by American
vessels. He said that he had been
amused at the suggestion of the presi-
dent in his message that the carrying
trade be encouraged by the pay
ment of subsidies. I'm other words"
said he, lit is proposed to substitute
for the present vicious system OF
navigation laws, a scheme of sub
sides even more vicious" Under the
proposed policy of the administration, =
continued Mr.. Vest, I'VE are to build
up great navy, cease to be a nation
of trade, and. under the impulse of
policy of expansion, become a nation
Of warriors. 1t would appear better
first o build up carrying trade i
would also let people get the thorough
Benefits of the effect of such trade by
buying where they can buy the cheap
est" The bill was made the special
order for next Monday. Adjourned
Washington, Dec. 6.-The house was
in session less than half an hour when
the deaths of Representative North
way of Ohio and Love of Mississippi
were announced, and adjournment was
taken. The deficiency bill, carrying
appropriations for extraordinary ex-
penses of the army and navy from
January l to July 1, 1899, was report
ed. 1t will be taken up today The
report of the Hawaiian commission
was transmitted by the president and
laid before the house. 1t was referred
to the committee on territories, to-
gether with a bill offered by Mr.. Hit
(rep., Ill.) to carry out the recommen-
datiOnS O. the commission
The first of the appropriation bills
for the deficiencies of the war expenses
reported to the house carries for the
war department and military estab-
lishment 60,711, 539, and for the naval
establishment $5,56S,S53 a total of $685.
280,392. This amount, however, is a
re-appropriation of funds heretofore
allowed, but not available after the
close of the present year.