The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-01
WORK or CONGRESS-

was begun in open session. At the
very opening Of the discussion the OPP
ponents Of annexation quite unexpect-
eddy scored a point by preventing an
aye and nay vote on taking up the
resolution. When Mr.. Davis, chair
man of the foreign relations commit
tee, called up the resolutions the vice
president declared, as usual, that no
objections being raised the resolutions
would be considered. There being no
objections the resolutions were taken
up. A minute or two later Mr.. Frye
demanded an aye and nay vote on the
question. Mr.. White instantly made q
point of order that an aye and nay
vote could not he taken on q dead
issue, the resolutions were already
before the senate on unanimous con-
sent. The point of order was, Of
course, maintained. In the afternoon
motion was made to adjourn, and,
like a flash, Mr.. Davis demanded the
ayes and hayes, the motion. the vote
on which was a test of strength be-
tween the friends and
Opponents of Annexation
was defeated decisively - A to Is.
Having gained his point in developing
the numerical weakness of the oppo-
sition, Mr.. Davis readily agreed to
enter motion for an executive SEES
sion. The proceedings of the day in
dictate clearly that there is to be no
debate upon the Hawaiian question in
the ordinary acceptance of the term.
1t is not the purpose of the friends of
annexation to consume time in making
speeches. Believing that the senate
has already in executive session thor
oughly discussed the question they will
permit the opponents of the project
to occupy all of the time. This plan of
campaign is not satisfactory to the
latter, and during the session consid-
cradle bitterness was manifested at
times. The speakers were Mr.. Morrill,,
the venerable senator from Vermont.
and one Of the Republican opponents
of annexation, and Mr.. Bacon of
Georgia. Mr.. Morrill, covered the gen.
eral question, while Mr.. Bacon dis
cussed the power of congress to annex
territory by legislative act, maintain
ing that such annexation was uncon-
stitutional.
I'm the House.
The house passed the general def
cheney, carrying 224,OOO,OOO. The bill
occasioned little debate and it passed
practically as reported to the house
from the committee on appropriations
The remainder of the day was given
to District of Columbia business.
Washington, June %. - Interest in
the senate already has begun to flag.
early in the present session the SEN
ate debated the question behind closed
doors for six weeks. During that
time n majority of the speakers We're
accorded close attention. 1t is evident
from the proceedings that the senators
will not become enthusiastic over
arguments which are not now new to
them. Senator White of California,
the leader of the opponents of annexa-
ton, spoke for four and one-half hours.
His argument was skillful and was
presented with oratorical ability, but
failed to command the attention from.
the senators it really deserved. Mr..
White had not concluded his argument
, when the resolutions were laid aside
for the day. He will resume his
speech to-day and probably will occu.
py the entire day. Mr.. Mitchell of
Wisconsin opened the discussion with
a brief speech in opposition to the res
olutions. Among the bills passed was
one providing for severe penalties for
the malicious injury or destruction Of
submarine mines, torpedoes, fortilica-
tons or other coast defenses.
In the House.
After passing several bills of minor
Importance the house, in committee of
the whole. considered without dispos-
ing of a bill to refer to the court of
claims, certain claims of persons for
property taken or destroyed by the
Confederate invasions into the South
ern counties of Pennsylvania. The
bill brought on long debate in which
it was vigorously advocated and op.
posed.
Washington, June 23.-Opponents of
the annexation of Hawaii again occu.
pied the attention of the senate. Mr..
White Of California resumed his
speech begun yesterday, but after
speaking two hours yielded the floor to
Mr.. Pettigrew, who discussed the reso-
lutions for an hour and a half. Mr..
White has not concluded his speech,
Mr.. Pettigrew taking up the argument
against the resolutions merely to af-
ford him an opportunity to rest. The
conference report on the Indian appro-
priation bill was presented to the SEN
ate and read. No effort was made to
act on it. 1t was sharply criticised,
however, and the indications are that
it's adoption will be contested on ac.
count of the senates free homestead
amendment and the acknowledgment
of the right in certain circumstances
and conditions of Indians to lease min
eral lands.
Washington: June 24.-Discussion in
the senate of the Hawaiian annexation
question was interrupted by MI. Raw
Inns of Utah. with a speech in which he
criticised vigorously the provision en-
bodied in the conference report on the
Indian appropriation bill which ac-
knowledges the rights of Indians to
lease mineral lands on their reserya-
tions. He declared that it was far