The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-09
CENSUS BILL PASSED.
NOnpartisan Provision Inserted in the
Measure by the Senate.


WASHINGTON, June S.--A bill providing
for the taking of the twelfth census was
passed by the Senate to-day after a debate
which occupied the greater part of three
days. Several weeks ago a census bill was
presented by the committee having the mat
ter in charge but the measure was so UNI
satisfactory that il was recommitted to the
committee. The bill passed to-day was In
PRODUCED in lieu of that which was recon-
mitted, and as slightly amended received the
unanimous support of the Senate Under
it If it should become a law a director of
the census, an assistant director and five
expert statistcians will be appointed imme-
diatey to make the preliminary arrange
ments for the taking of the census of 1900
in accordance with the outline presented in
the bill. which has already been fully COW
cred in the dispatches. A determined effort
was made to provide that the employees of
the Census Bureau should be examined and
certified by the Civil-service Commission,
but it failed by a vote of Is to 81. A pro-
vision was inserted that not more than two
thirds of the supervisors and enumerators
should belong to one political party.
Soon after the Senate convened Mr.. Hale,
chairman of the naval affairs committee,
reported favoraby bill to organize a hos
"
define its duties and regulate it's pay. The
bill was passed. Under the bill the pay of
hospital stewards shall be $50 a month hos
pital apprentices, first class, $50 a month
and hospital apprentices $40 month, with
increase on account of the length of service,
is now or may hereafter be allowed by
law to other enlisted men in the navy. The
House provision that the application of the
act be limited to the duration of the present
bin
on postoffices and post roads a bill extend
ing the ranking privilege through the mails
TO the officers and men of the army and
navy during the existing war, the privilege
to extend only to first-class matter each
piece weighing not more than one ounce.
Mr.. Plat, of Connecticut, regarded the
measure as very sweeping In its provisions,
and, while he desired, he satd to extend all
proper privileges to American soldiers and
sailors, he could not let this bill go through
without examination. On his objection the
measure went over
Mr. Chandler offered the following resolu-
ton. which, under the rules. went over:
THAT the committee on foreign relations
be, and is hereby directed, to conduct such
Inquiries as may be deemed advisable con-
corning all the questions arising out of the
present war in relation to foreign govern
ments and the rights and obligations of
this government connected Herewith. and
also concerning such facts as the committee
may deem IL eXpcdient 10 investigate, said
commutee TO nave power TO meet during
the sessions of the Senate and during the
coming recess of Congress 70 act as
full committee or through subcommittee,
and to summon and examine witnesses"
At o'clock the census bin was laid before
the Senate. the pending question being the
amendment offered by Mr.. Cockrel. requir-
ing that employees of the Census Office shall
be examined and certified by the Civil
service Commission. In the course of
statement by Mr.. CCckrell. he was asked by
Mr.. Gear If he did not know that many
employees OF the government were now prac-
tically on civil pension list.
No, do not replied Mr. Cockreil.
We'll, l do. said Mr.. Gear. In the
Treasury Department all employees over
seventy years of age are given salary OF
$500 and required 10 do little IL any work"
IF that is true" said Mr.. Cockrell 'it Is
a piece of maladminstration that ought NOT
TO be tolerated. You ought 10 remove your
secretary OF the treasury, for. under the
law. he has no right 10 make any such ar
rangement"
The amendment of Mr.. cockrell was re-
iected--lS to 81. An amendment offered by
Mr., Chiffon, providing that nothing IN the