Evening star., 1898-06-08
TODAY In CONGRESS
Senate Passes a Bill for a Navy
Hospital Corps.
fRANKING PRIVILEGES DURING War
Proposed Rule Giving Hawaiian
Resolutions Precedence.
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL

Soon after the Senate convened today Mr.
Hale tM.l chairman of the naval affairs
committee. reported favcrably a bill to
organize hospital corps of the United
gtates navy. to define its duties and regu-
late it's pay. The bill was passed.
Under the bill the pay of hospital stew
,Ids shall be $50 month. hospital appren-
fiCes, first class. $40 a month. and hospital
apprentices. so month. with the increase
on account of length of service. is now
Or may hereafter he allowed by law to
other enlisted men in the navy. The House
provision that the application of the act be
limited to the duration Of the present war
with Spain was eliminated from the bill.
Mr.. Mason Qll.. reported from the COM
mittee post offices and post roads a bill
extending the franking privilege through
the mails to the officers and men of the
army and navv during the existing war,
the privilege to extend only to frst-class
matter. each piece weighing not more than
ounce.
Mr. Platt Comm regarded the meas sure
as very sweeping in its provisions. and,
Willie he desired, he said. to extend all
proper privileges to American soldiers and
sailors, he could rot let this bill go through
without examination. on his objection the
measure went over.
Mr. Quay GPaD resigned from the commit
H
Penrose, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Local Railway Bills.
Bills to amend the charters of certain
District of Columbia street railroad COM
panies were passed after considerable dis
eussion. the opposition being led by Mr..
Pettigrew.
The Senate concurred in the House
amendment to the joint resolution direct
ing the Secretary of War to return to the
state of Ohio flags of certain volunteer
Regiments of Ohio. the House amendment
being to return also the flags of tn 18th
New York Volunteer Infantry.
Bills as follows were passed: To author
lie the construction of a bridge across the
Missouri river at Quindaro. Kan, by the
Kansas City, Northeastern and Gulf Rail-
fcad Company; to provide for the pur-
chase of a site and for the erection of a
public building thereon at Ogden. Utah.
an appropriation of $2-1H0 being made
for the purpose.
To authorize the extension eastwardly of
the Columbia railroad in the District of
Columbia and to amend the charter of the
capital Railway Company.
Mr. Chandler offered the following reso-
luton. which under the rules, went over:
That the committee on foreign relations
be and is hereby directed to conduct such
Inquiries as may be deemed advisable con-
cerninS all the questions arising out of the
present war in relation to foreign govern
mentS, and the rights and obligations of
THIS government connected Herewith and
also concerning such facts as the commit
Tee may deem il expedient 10 investigate
sad committee to have power to meet dur
ing the session and during the coming re-
cess OF Congress to act as full committee
or through subcommittee and to summon
and examine Witnesses"
Other bills were passed as follows: To
set aside a portion of certain lands in the
state OF Washington now known as the
racine forest reserve a public park to
be known as the WASHINGTON National Park
and granting certain lands to the cfty of
Santa Barbara, Cal
The Census Bill.
Al O'Clock the census bill was laid be-
fore the Senate, the pending question being
the amendment offered by Mr.. Cockrell re-
quiring that employees of the census office
shall he examined and certified by the civil
Service commission.
Mr. Cockrell so modified his amendment
as TO provide that the chief clerk and the
thief stztistician shall be appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior, upon recommen-
q ton Of the director OF the census subiec t
TO such examination as the director may,
with the approval of the Secretary of the
Interior. prescribe; ard all other employ IS
authorized by this act shall be appoint ed
unCer existing laws and regulation