Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-21
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, April 81,
SENATE.

Just before the Senate convened TO-
day telephone message was received
at the Capitol announcing that Mr..
Walthall was dying The news cast q
feeling OF gloom over the entire Senate.
The chaplain said SIN these eventful
and solemn days, when we stand on the
very edge of battle, as our people be-
lieve their cause to be just, righteous
and humane, we appeal to Thee, o
God. to be our guide, guardian and de
tense. Support Thy servant, the COM
mander in chief of the army and navy
of the United States, his civil, military
and naval advisors, aud grant that their
deliberations may be wise, skillful and
brought to triumphant close. Unite
the heart of the nation and make it as
| the heart of one man, sustaining the
constituted authorities. Give vigor and
power to the sailors and soldiers of the
nation, and make their achievements
equal the glory and triumphs of the
past, and even surpass them"
Mr.. Morrill, secured the passage of o
bill to restore to citizenship in the
United States Mrs. Nellie Grant Sar-
toris, daughter Of the late President
Grant, who forfeited her citizenship by
her marriage to subject of Great
Britain.
Mr.. Elkins secured the passage Of q
joint resolution directing the Secretary
of War to have survey and estimate
made for the improvement of the West
Fork river, West Virginia, by system
of locks and dams.
Mr.. Quay introduced a resolution au-
thorizing the President to prohibit the
export of coal or other material used in
war from any seaport of the United
States until otherwise ordered by Con
gress.
When the sundry civil bill was laid
before the Senate Mr.. Money said he
had noticed in a morning paper the
statement that the State Department
had announced there would, during the
approaching war, be no privateering by
the United States, and that this govern.
ment would abide by the treaty of Paris
made in 1856. 81 desire to inquire"
said he, whether any member of the
foreign relations committee can inform
the Senate if the statement made in the
newspapers is true2"
81 have heard nothing about the mat
ter" responded Mr.. Davis, chairman of
the foreign relations committee, "ex.
cept what I have seen in the news.
papers"
Mr.. Money, continuing said he could
not believe the President had taken
such action. But he said,n it is well
enough that the powers delegated to
the President be clearly defined here
and now. The power to issue letters
of marque and reprisal belongs
exclusively to Congress. Neither
the United States nor Spain is
signatory to the treaty OF Paris;
but in everything relating to the rights
Of neutrals the United States has taken
most advanced ground, 1t was because
the United States took more advanced
ground than other nations in this re-
gard that the United States did not be-
come party to the Paris treaty"
Mr.. Eosr interrupted Mr.. Money to
note that this was an inopportune time
to discuss the question as the Senate
had no knowledge that the President
had exceeded his constitutional power.
II desired simply to.call attention to
the fact" continued Mr.. Money, "as it
was my duty to do, that this PROPOSE
ton cannot be tolerated by Congress
and would suggest to Senators in the
of the President that they
suggest to him the situation in Con-
gress."
Mr.. Morgan said thst the foreign re-
lations committee and mo jurisdiction
over this war" That duty devolved
upon the military affairs committee.
Mr.. Hoar announced that hereafter
LIE would insist that such discussions as
that paeeip;tsted by Mr.. Money relat-
ing to the war should be held in secret
legislative session.
Mr.. Morgan secured the adoption OF
al amendment providing for the appro-
priation of S35 900 for the maintenance
Of the channel 10 Mobile harbor by
dredging.
The sundry civil bill as amended was
then pissed.
The naval appropriation bill was laid
before the Senate. The bill es it passed
the House carried S3S,O14,05s. AS it
was reported &c the Senate it carries
SAC ,277.55S.
Pending Che consideration d the
naval bill Mr.. HaWley, chairman of the