Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-03-12
SENATE ACTS PROMp. THY
Bill Appropriasing $50, 100000 TOT
Defense Passed Without Debate.
Put Through In Twelve Minutes-Resolu-
tion for Investigating the Maine Dis
aster-Thc House Agrses 70 Con-
ference on Legislative Bill.

| nster-The House Agrsea TO Con.
ference on Legislative Bill.
WASHINGTON, March i0.-President
McKinley's hands have been upheld by
both branches Of the American con.
gress. With enthusiasm, fervor and
profhptness almost unparalleled In the
senate, in time Of peace, that body
yesterday passed the emergency ap.
preparation bill, carrying sisS,0o0 Of
deficiencies and placing ut the disposal
of the president $50. 600, 900 for national
defense. The vote by which the meas
ure was passed was unanimous. Sew
enty-six short, sharp and emphatic
speeches were delivered In favor Of the
bill, each one being simply ringing
''aye" during the roll call upon the
passage of the measure. Not only did
every senator present register his vote
in favor OF the bill, but for every abb
sent member the authoritative an
nouncement was made that II he were
present he would vote aye.
1t was just 1918 when Mr.. Hale re-
ported the bill to the senate and asked
that 1t be placed on its passage. The
members of the committee on appro-
priations had previously effected an
arrangement whereby there would be
no debate on the bill, and after II was
read Vice President Hobart placed II
Immediately on its passage. Twelve
minutes after the bill was reported to
the senate the vice president an
nounced its unanimous passage.
Mr. Chandler, OF New hampshire,
presented the following resolution,
which indicates that the disaster to
the battleship Maine is to have a thor
ough investigation by the senate:
That. In conducting the inquiry into the
cause Of the destruction Of the battleship
Maine In the Havana harbor, on February H.
1895 under resolution OF the senate OF February
81. the committee on naval affairs Is hereby au-
thorized to send for persons and papers, to en-
ploy stenographer and to make the investiga-
tion by the full committee or by sub-commit-
tees thereof; the expenses OF said investiga-
ton to be paid from the contingent fund Of the
senate.
The resolution was referred to the
committee on contingent expenses.
At 1910 p. m, on motion OF Mr..
Davis, of Minnesota, chairman Of the
committee on foreign relations, the
senate went into executive session, the
Hawaiian treaty being taken up.
TIE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March 10.-The house
devoted itself to routine business yes
terday. The Legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill went
through its last stages In the adoption
of the financial conference report and
the remainder of the day was con-
sumed in the consideration OF the SEN
ate amendments to the Indian appro-
priation bill. The substitute for the
senate provision regarding the open
ing of the Uncompahgre reservation
was knocked out on point Of order
and the amendment goes back to con-
ference The desire of the conferees
to non. concur in the senate free home
stead clause encountered bitter oppo-
sition and an arrangement was made
whereby four hours are to be devoted
to debate proposition to concur, sub
mitted by Mr.. Eddy, of Minnesota.
Mr.. Sherman, chairman OF the Indian
committee, declared that the free
homestead provision would cost the
government s55, 900, 900. He desires to
eliminate it from the bill and has the
support OF the secretary Of the inte-
rior.
Mr.. Sherman, who led the opposition
to the amendment, said 1t involved di-
rectly and indirectly an appropriation
greater than congress had just made
for the national defense. 1t involved,
he said, direct appropriation Of sl2,.
OOO,O 900, an indirect appropriation OF
SIS, COO, 900, and q future expenditure
Of probably s2O,OOO,000. The amend.
ment would compel the government to
pay the Indians for lands turned over
free OF cost to settlers and thus com.
NIT the government to policy which,
in the near future, would cost the gov
eminent many millions more. There
were nine other Indian reservations,
with an acreage Of 13,199,6 63, which
might be opened to homestead settle.
ment
Mr. Sherman read letter from Sec
rotary OF the Interior Bliss setting
forth these facts. While expressing
sympathy with the poor aud homeless
Of the country, the letter opposed the
free home clause, saying 1t would, in
effect, be the taxing Of the entire peo.
pie for the benefit OF the few.
Mr.. Eddy, republican, Of Minnesota,
who advocated the free home clause,
made vigorous speech in support OF
it. He referred to the benefcent re.
suits OF the general homestead act OF
1883, under which a million happy
homes had been built up in this coun.
try. When the Indian reservation
was coded to the government 1t be.
came part Of the public domain, but
when thrown open TO settlement the
settler was required to pay sl.25 per
acre. This burden imposed upon
the settler, time had shown, more
than he was able to bear, and year
after year congress had extended the
time of payment as 1t was proposed TO !!
do in the house provision for which II /,
was proposed to substitute this free
home provision.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Eddy's re. |,
marks, the committee rose. The house
non-concurred in the senate amend
ments to the District of Columbia ap.
preparation bill and at $3.50 p M, ad. |
journed.
Women to Shovel Dirt u
0tyRuaanRn XIV March fO-Mavo,