The Mena star., 1898-05-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
Condensed Summary Of the Proceedings of Senate and House from Day to
 Day-Importsnt Bills

THE railway arbitration bill--a measure to adjust differences between railroad officials and their employes--was discussed for more than three hours on the 1th by the senate without being finished. The nomination of Commodore Dewey to be rear admiral was confirmed. ... The house took up the resolution to submit to the states a proposition to amend the constitution so to provide for the elec- tion of senators by direct vote of the people After an amendment by MT. Underwood tAla), making election by popular vote mandatory instead of at the discretion Of the states the resolution was passed. MT. Loud (Cal) called up the post office bill and, upon his motion, the house refused to accept the senate amendments and conference commit- tee was appointed A bill was passed for the disposal of abandoned imports turned over to custom officials After setting apart May 2l for eulogies upon the late Senator George (hIissl the house then adjourned.
 The senate on the 18th passed the railway arbitration bill. bill was offered by Senator Stewart CNev) removing all disabilities im- posed by the fourteenth amendment to the constitution upon persons on account of hav- ing engaged in rebellion against the United States. It was passed without debate A bill was also passed authorizing the establishment of life-saving station at Charlevoix Mich. The war revenue bill was then reported and the senate afterwards went into executive session for the confirmation of military nominations. =. The house passed measure for the organ ization of special line of coast defense vessels and the enlistment of men to man them. The senate bill to establish volunteer signal corps was passed without amendment resolution was also passed calling upon the secretary of war for information about the construction of ship canal at Sabine Pass, Tex The house voted to non concur in the senate amendment to the bill providing for feeding and arming the Cuban people and conference committed was appointed
 c frrt s.I ta senate on the 18th petition signed by 21 pack ing firms of Chicago asking for retaliatory leg islation against France on account of the rates of duty on importations of lard and sausage res gently imposed by that government Little busi- ness of importance was transacted .... The house considered private bills Mir. Cummings (N Y) introduced q bill authorizing the secre- tary of war to organize regiment of sharp shooters possessing special military qualiica- tions each company to consist of 100 expert marksmen from different states to be between the age of 2i and 40 years, the command to be known as the American Independent Sharp shooters. At the night session bill was passed allowing Gen. Cassius M Clay of Ken lucky. pension of $50 month, instead of s6 he is now drawing as veteran of the Mexican war.
 THE debate upon the war revenue measure was begun in the senate on the 18th. The open ing statement for the committee on finance was made by Senator Allison Ia), who estimated that the measure would raise Si51. 49T 066 a year Senator Morgan (Ala) introduced reso- lution, which was agreed to, asking the secre- tary of ths interior for information about the progress of work the Nicaragua canal.... The house received veto from the president of bill to confer upon the court of claims jurisdiction in certain private claim case and the veto was sustained The report upon the bill authorizing army officers to feed and equiI Cuhans to fight the Spaniards adopted without objection The joint resolutions ap pointing William J. Sewell (N. J). Martin T McMabon f>T. Y.) John l.. Mitchell tWisl ant William H. Bonsall tCal) members of thl board If managers of the national soldiers home was passed The bill reported by MT Curtis 1lan) to ratify and confirm agree ment with the commanche, Kiowa and Apach' tribes of Indians in Oklahoma territory ant open thoir reservation for settlement and tn senate bill to establish an assay office at Seat tie Wash were also passed