The record-union., 1898-06-24
Presenting Argument Against the Annexa-
ton Of the Islands.
Rawlins of Utah Vigorously Criti-
cises the Conference Report on
the Indian Appropriation Bill
The House Passes a Bill to
Restore Major Wham to His
Former Rank and Status in the
Army.


alton question was interrupted to-day
by Rawlins of Utah, with speech in
which he criticised vigorously the pro-
vision embodied in the conference re-
port on the Indian appropriation bill,
which acknowledges the right OF In
dians to lease mines and lands on their
reservations He declared that it was
far graver matter than the anneXa-
ton of the Hawaiian Islands, as it
would involve the cession to the In
dians of the mineral rights in territory
exceeding 50000,000 acres of land, not
including the territory of Alaska. He
charged that spectators had obtained
already leases to much of these lands,
and if the provision proposed by the
committee was adopted the Govern
ment would lose S10,0GOO0.
1t was / o'clock when the Hawaiian
resolution was called up and PettigreW
of South Dakota resumed his speech in
opposition. addressing the Senate for
about two hours. In the course of his
argument, which was forceful, because
he made a personal investigation of
the subject. he maineained that the
harbor of Kiska, on the island of Great
Kiska, owned by the United States,
would make a much better coaling sta
tion for our navy than Honolulu, as it
was in a more direct line with this
country to the Philippines than the
Hawaiian Islands and more than a
thousand miles nearer.
Pettigrew yielded to Morgan, who Sc
cured the passage of the following reso-
luton:
That the select committee on the
construction of the Nicaraguan Canal
is directed to inquire into the claims of
the Republic of Nicaragua relating to
the stock or securities of the Maritime
Canal Company under the concessions
of said republic 10 the Nicaraguan Ca
nal Company, and any demands of said
republic connected with said claims.
And said committee is authorized to
conduct such investigation by a sub
committee, and to send for persons and
papers and to administer oaths to the
witnesses called before said committee
or sub committee"
Continuing Pettigrew maintained
that questions of annexation involving
an entire change in the traditional
policy of the Government ought not to
be forced to consideration at such
time this.
Let us fight out the war upon which
at the close of the war we can discuss
this policy of Imperialism in the full
light of facts"
Although he had not concluded his
speech. Pettigrew, on account of ia
tigue. yielded the floor to McEnery Ol
of Louisiana, who presented a consti-
tutional argument against annexation.
McEnery yielded the floor, and Pet
tigrew presented conference report
upon the bill TO ratify the agreement
etnered into between the Dawes Com
mission and the Seminole Indians, the
House conferrees having agreed to al
low the Senate amendments. The re-
port was adopted.
At 800 the Senate went into execu-
tive session, and at $50 adjourned.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, June 23-At to-
days session of the House further
agreements upon the sundry civil bill
We're reported from the Committee on
Conference and adopted. and further
conference upon the remaining points
in difference was requested.
A large number of bills of minor i'm
portance We're passed, and sixty-three
pension and relief measures were dis
posed of, pursuant to the recommeuda-
tions reached last Friday in Committee
of the Whole.
Bills Were passed extending the time
for the construction of bridges across
the Columbia River by the Oregon and
Washington Bridge Company and the
Missouri River at Yankton, s. D.; SEN
ate bill relieving owners of mining
claims who shall enlist in the army or
navy for the present war from doing
required assessment work upon their
claims during the period of their serv-
ice. and bill to pay the owners of the
English Achilles 81 .o43 expenses in
Cured and rescuing and caring for the
wrecked American ship Arabia in
June. 1S!)o; and a bill directing the
payment of not exceeding $1,000 to We
rome +. Pollock, widow of the late Com
sui 4. L. Pollock at San Salvador.
Under the leadership of Representa-
tive Cannon and Representative Baker
OF Illinois. a bill TO restore Major wham
10 his former rank and status in the
army, with all back pay and allow
ances, passed the House unanimously
Major Wham. who was in the gallery
at the moment. received many congrat-
ulations from members on the floor of
the House
Upon Dingley's motion, made early in