Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-03-17
The Senate Passes a Bill for Build.
Ing Some More Vessels.
FOR 4 PUBLIC LAND COMMISSION.


izing the construction Of eight new
revenue cutters not exceeding in aggre-
gate cost the sum Of 81, 225, 900. The
national quarantine bill was made the
regular order OF business and will be
taken up probably on Wednesday.
Senator Allen, Of Nebraska, inquired
Of Senator Chandler what the naval
affairs committee had done regarding
the investiga ton Of the Maine catas-
trophe as provided for by his resolu-
ton of several weeks ago
Senator Chandler said that as yet the
committee had taken no action regard
ing the investigation. He could not
speak for the committee, but expressed
the opinion that It's policy would be
to await the action and finding Of the
naval court Of inquiry.
Senator Lodge, Of Massach usetta, Of
the foreign relations committee, called
mp the joint resolution for the relief
of August Bolton and Gustave
Richelieu. The resolution was passed
without debate.
AT the suggestion Of Senator Fora
ker, Of Ohio, the bill for the incorpora.
ton Of the international American
bank was called up. The bill provides
that the bank shall have capital Of
&,OO0,O 900, which may be increased to
t2O,0O0,00O, and that Its main offices
shall be in Washington and New York,
with branches in Mexico, the West In
dies and in Central and South Amer.
lea Objection was made to the con.
sideration OF the bill.
Senator Hoar introduced . bill pro-
hibiting the Importation into the
United States Of birds or their feathers
for ornamental purposes, and impos.
ing fine Of $50 for each offense.
Senator Foraker introduced q bill
providing for the awarding Of public
lands In the arid land states to indi.
viduals or corporations who may pro.
vide for their reclamation by irriga-
ton, not more than 10000 acres to be
patented to any one company or per.
son.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March t5.--The pro-
ceedings in the house yesterday were
utterly devoid Of public interest The
time was devoted to District Of Colum.
bia business.
MIR. Newlands, Of Nevada, introduced
bill creating public land commits.
sion, to consist Of the commissioner of
the general land office, the director Of
the geological survey and three other
persons, whose appointments are made
subject to confirmation by the senate.
Its duties are TO construct contoured
topographic map Of public land areas,
find the water supply Of each basin
and incidental data, control the cut
ting Of timber in each basin, regulate
the occupation and utilization OF pub
lie lands and in general protect the
forests, woodlands, grazing lands and
waters. The bill appropriates 500, 900
for the work.
Mr.. Henderson, OF Iowa, introduced
a bill to prevent the use Of the United
States flag as Il business advertisement
or the use of any government publica-
tions as advertising mediums.
Mr.. Curtis, Of Kansas, introduced
several pension bills.
EARLY ADJOURNMENT TALK.
WASHINGTON, March H. The early
adjournment Of the senate yesterday,
following quickly after two-days' VA.
cation last week, led to a general dis.
cusson about the probability of early
final adjournment and to the develop
ment of the fact that there is quite an
active propaganda in that behalf Sen.
ator Aldrich was among those who
were quite outspoken in advocating
early ad journment, and he and others
are urging that there was nothing fur
ther congress could do by remaining
in session except to pass the appropri-
alton bills Senators expressing these
views generally took the position that
1t would be necessary, in any event, TO
defer action upon the Hawaiian treaty
until the next session. The more pro-
nounced pro-Cuban senators did not
accept in very kindly spirit the ad-
journment suggestion, and Senator
Mason was among those who declared
that it could not be accomplished un.
til something should be done for Cuba.
The suggestion was also made that an
early ad journment would result in a
special session Of congress in the au.
tumn.