The Yale expositor., 1898-12-16
CONGRESS AT WORK AGAIN.

United states, no power Is given TO the
federal government TO acquire terri
tory TO be held and governed perma-
nently as colonies. The colonial sys-
| TEN OF European nations cannot be es-
| tablished under our present constitu-
tion but all territory acquired by the
the government, except such small
amounts as may be necessary for
coaling stations, correction of boun-
daries, and similar governmental pur-
poses, must be acquired and governed
with the purpose of ultimately organ
izing such territory into states suitable
for admission into the Union" Navi-
cation laws were briefly discussed and
then the Senate adjourned. House.
A session OF half an hour was held, at
which the deficiency bill carrying the
extraordinary expenses of the army
and navy from Jan. to July 1, 1899 was
reported. The report of the Hawaiian
commission was laid before the house
and referred, together with bills Of
fered by Mr.. llitt to carry out the
recommendations Of the commission.
Senator Vest dem, Mo- called up
his resolution declaring it to be uncon-
stitutional for this government to ac-
| quire foreign territory except for coal
ing stations or some like purpose, un-
less its intention was to confer state
hood upon the territory and citizenship
| upon its inhabitants. In a lengthy
! speech Mr.. Vest said that it was a
basic principle of this government that
1.-The powers of the government were
| derived from the consent of the gov
erned," and maintained that the fed
eral government had no authority
either in morals or in the constitution
to go beyond that principle. Senator
Platt (Rep., Conn., opposed Mr.. Vest
| and said that at a later date ne would
go into the subject at length to show
wherein the Missouri senator was
wrong.
During the consideration of pension
bills Senator Vest (Mo.) protested
against the rushing of such bills
through the senate when there was
not quorum present and with only
the title being read. He was willing
to pay munifcently and literally in
| pensions, but insisted that these bills
should receive proper consideration.
Mr.. Gallinger (N. H., chairman of the
| senate pension committee, agreed with
Mr. Vest.
Senator Hoar precipitated lengthy
debate when he opposed the appoint
ment by the President of senator's as
members of commissions whose acts
would have to be passed upon by
| the senate. The confirmation of the
| appointment of the Hawaiian commits
sioners was under discussion at the
| time, and the matter was finally re-
ferred to the Judiciary committee, with
instructions to investigate and report.
Rep. Hepburn, of Iowa, introduced a
bill authorizing the President to ac-
quire by purchase from the states of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua full owner
ship, jurisdiction and sovereignty of
such land as may be desirable and nee
| essary to construct and defend a ship
canal from ocean TO ocean. The bill
also appropriates $40, 600 coo TO con-
stuct the canal.
The house passed the cnti-tcliet
scalping bill by vote of 1l9 to i01.
Rep. Hull, chairman of the house
committee on military affairs, intro
duced a bill increasing the regular
army to approximately 100000 men.
The bill was framed at the war de-
partment and is not the bill framed by
Gen. Miles. 1t gives a total of II regi-
ments of artillery, IL of cavalry and 30
of infantry.
Senators Hale CVt.) and Hoar Mass
presented resolutions of citizens in
their states, demonstrating against the
extension of American sovereignty
over the Philippine islands and against
the acquisition of foreign territory
without the consent of the people of
such territory.
Senator Morrill, presented petition
from the legislature of Vermont, ask
ing for the revival of the grade OF adj
miral, and recognition of Rear Admiral
Dewey. Mr.. Hale presented bill to
revive the grades of admiral and vice
admiral.
Senator Mccartney Na.) introduced
resolution requesting the President TO
enter into negotiations with Great
Britain for the purpose of modifying
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty in SO far as
it interferes with the United States
constructing, owning or controlling an
inter-oceanic canal across the isthmus
of Darien.
Senator Vest introduced resolution
providing for the appointment of
Joint commission composed of three
senator's and five members of the house,
to investigate the charges of corrup-
ton in the conduct of the war with
Spain.
The urgent deficiency bill to provide
for the support of the military and
naval establishments was passed by
the house practically without opposi-
ton. There was not word of criti-
cism of the war during the debate.
In response to the Presidents mes
sage Senator Hoar introduced resolu-
ton for committee to prepare and
-. r. Al. r