The Mena star., 1898-03-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
Condensed Summary of the Proceedings of Senate and House from Day to
 Day-Important Bills.

SENATOR CHALLENGER on the gsd made speech in the senate depicting the horrors and barbaritieS of concentration in Cuba At it's conclusion there was burst of applause from the senators and the crowd in the galleries. Senator Bacon (Ga) introduced joint resolu- ton declaring that the United States should do everything in It's power to preserve peace with all the world and not be forced into a war ex- cept to preserve the honor and dignity of the nation. Senator Halo CMe) reported the bill for the relief of the survivors of the Maine catastrophe and it was read and passed without a word of debate Senator Carter (Mont) then called up the bill making further provision for a civil government in Alaska and resumed his speech begun couple of days before. Senator Perkins tCaL) afterwards offered an amend ment placing license on almost every kind of business and regulating the liquor traffic Sem ator Allen tNeb) favorably reported bill for the relief of the Kansas university by paying the institution s20 900 for the destruction of the Free State school Senator Caffery (La.) then resumed his speech on the national quarantine bill The house settled the contested election case from the Fourth Virginia district by giv- ing the seat to R. T. Thorpe by party vote of l51 to 130 Mir. Clark (MoD introduced a reso- lution for recognizing the independence of the republic of Cuba
 THE senate galleries were packed 'on the 24th with people to hear the speech of Senator Thurston tNeb.) Cuba The senator
 
 eloquent plea for immediate intervention by the United States He commenced his speech by stating that he spoke by the express com mand of his dead wife His speech was gencr- ally regarded a masterly effort and the scene presented during it's deliverance dramatic in it's intensity Staid and digniied senators wept and at it's conclusion Senator Thurston sank into his seat overcome with emotion, while an overwhelming burst of applause swept through the galleries bill was passed for the protection of song birds, prohibiting their importation sale for ornamental purposes. A bill was also passed for the purchase of a site and the erection of public building at Joplin, Mo, at a cost of SlU0 900. On motion an adjournment was then taken until the 18th .... The naval appropriation bill taken up in the house and an arrangement was made to close general debate on the measure at one o'clock on the following day The debate was not on radical lines, but the speeches of Messrs Dayton (W. Ya) and Arnold (Pa). both of whom took advanced positions in favor of az gressive action to stop the war in Cuba, aroused intense enthusiasm.
 THE senate was not in session on the 18th .... The house was in an uproar during the whole time of the consideration of the naval appro- priation bill under the five-minute rule. owing to the turbulent protests made by the minority against the ruling of Speaker Reed to confine their remarks to the subject before the house. The ruling was denounced as usurpation and appeal after appeal taken As a result only four pages of the bill were disposed of. MT Wheeler (Ala) introduced bill empower ing the president to purchase arms and muni- tions of war. organize troops and do everything for the country's safety and honor should an act of war be committed by Spain when con- gress has adjourned M- Little (Ark.) intro duced q bill granting to the Fort Smith 6 Western Coal Railroad company a right of way through the Indian territory.
 ;x, tI.., OQt1, The house debated the n wal appropriation bill. every utterance in favor of aggressive action against Spain being applauded by the galleries A strong effort was made to increase the appro- priation for naval reserves, but it failed. MT. Cannon, chairman of the appropriations com- mittee, made motion to decrease the number of timber dry docks authorized by the bill from four to three, but it was defeated by vote of 7S to 108 At five o'clock an adjournment was taken.
 THE galleries were packed in the senate chamber on the 18th. At l2:0i Mai Pruden, the executive secretary to the president, de- livered to the senate the message of President Mckinley transmitting the report of the Maine court of inquiry. At the conclusion of it's read ing the message together with the findings of the court and the testimony taken by it, were referred to the committee on foreign relations. resolution was agreed to for printing 2.0O0 additional copies of the message. Senator Mason Ill) gave notice that he would make short address the next day on the message. The announcement was then made by Senator Hoar (Mass) of the death of Congressman Simpkins (Mass.) and the usual resolutions were adopted and an adjournment taken. After the message was read in the house Speaker Reed immediately declared it's refer ence to the committee an foreign relations un- der the rules MT. Walker (Mass.) then nounced the death of his colleague and. after the usual formalities in such cases the house adjourned as further mark of respect to the s-o~---S