Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-03-30
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS
HOuSE.

HOUSE.
Washington, March 1S.-The house spent
another day on the postoffice appropriation
bill, but only disposed of two pages.
HOUSE.
Washington, March 19.tThe house
passed the postoffice appropriation bill. A
pill providing for free entry of all supplies
and war materials until January !, 1899
also passed.
Washington, March 21.-Little business
IF Importance was transacted. Bacon in.
reduced an amendment to the Hawaiian
annexation resolution providing that the
resolution shall not be effective until the
question shall have been passed upon
afirmatively by the electors of Hawai-.
Allen secured the passage of resolution
calling upon the secretary of the interior
for information as to the number of all
classes of pensioners. including the per.
centage Of men and women and children
carried on the pension rolls
HOUSE.
The house unanimously passed the bill
for the relief of the survivors and victims
of the Maine disaster. The bill REIN.
burses the surviving officers and men for
the losses they sustained to an amount not
to exceed one years sea pay, and directs
the payment of an equal sum to the legal
heirs OF those who persisted.
SENATE
Washington, March 15.-In an address
Senator Gallery, of Louisiana, to-day ad.
vocated placing all quarantine powers in
the hands of the federal government, also
adding that he was as Staunch q states
rights advocate as any other man.
HOUSE.
The house spent the day on the contest.
ed election case of Thorpe VS.. Epps, from
the Fourth Virginia district. The naval
appropriation bill, as reported to the house,
carries total slightly over S35, 1901 900, an
increase over last year of 50, 7o0, 900. For
the increase the navy allows to be con-
structed by contract three first class heav-
lily armored battleships, of 1000 tons
each, to COST exclusive Of armament, not
over s., DOC, 600 each, one to be named the
Maine; six torpedo boats, six torpedo boat
destroyers, one gunboat to take the place
of the U. S. S. Michigan, the contracts
for all of these to be made within sixty
days after the passage of the bill.
SENATE.
Washington, March 23.-In the senate,
Bacon, of Georgia, introduced a resolution
that while the policy of the United States
was to maintain honor it was also its policy
at all times to maintain peace as long as
consistent and especially in the present
emergency. The bill for the relief of the
survivors OF the Maine passed without de-
bate. Senator Gallinger, who but recently
returned from Cuba, added his testimony
on the terrible conditions existing in that
country. He expressed the belief that
Cuba Is lost to Spain and that its inde-
pendence or absorption should speedily
come,
In the contested election case of Thorp
VS.. Epps, Thorp, rep, was given the seat
by a solid party vote.
SENATE
Washington, March Ex-senator Thurs.
ton spoke on the Cuban question from
personal observation. Thu~ston made q
touching allusion to his wife's death by
saying that he was about to speak "by
the command of silent lips" His descrip-
tion of the sufferings of.the reconcentradOs
accorded in full with those Of Proctor and
Gallinger. He declared the published
stories were not exaggerations. He COM
mended the course of President Nick nley,
but declared that the time for action had
come, as there was no longer any hope for
betterment. He declared that it was too
late for the recognition of belligerency or
independence to be of avail, and he oppos-
ed annexation. The only thing left was
intervention for the establishment of the
independence of the island.