The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-11

of 10000 "immunes'' in the southern
states. 1t had been passed by the House
with two amendments and Mr.. Hawley
moved that the Senate concur in the
amendments. The motion prevailed.
| Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont called up the
House bill to re-admit Mrs. Nellie Grant
Sartoris to citizenship in the United
| States The bill was passed.
AT LOS p. IN. the Vice President an
nounced his signature to the resolution of
thanks to Commodore Dewey and the Off
| GERS and men of his command. The con-
| sideration of the postoftice appropriation
| bill was resumed. MIR. Butler whose
amendment was pending when the Senate
adjourned last evening, offered new
| amendment, dividing his proposition.
His substitute amendment provided for
the appointment Of two joint committees,
one to investigate the cost OF transport
ing the mails by the railroads and the
| other to investigation Of receipts and ex-
penditures of the post office department.
After an hours discussion of the Butler
amendment, discussion being partici-
pated in by Mr.. Butler (who consumed
practically all of the time), MIR. Chand-
Ter, Mr.. Pasco and Mr.. Quay, tho voting
beg an at two o'clock. The first vote was
upon Mr.. Buffers amendment providing
for two investigating committees. The
amendment was defeated, $40.
Mr.. Chandler offered the amendment
proposed last evening by Mr.. Butler,
limiting the Investigation provided for in
the bill to the cost Of transporting the
mails. 1t was defeated without division.
Mr.. Butler offered another amendment
striking out the paragraph of the bill
making it discretionary with the post.
master general whether he shall expend
$l71 ,23S to secure special fast mail SER
vica hetvUeap Naw York and WachipntOr,
to Atlanta and New Orleans. The amend
ment was defeated 11-54. The bill was
then passed without division.
A joint resolution proposing an amend
ment to the constitution Of the United
States, substituting the last Thursday in
April for the fourth of March as the In
auguration Day Of the President and the
Vice President and the beginning of the
terms of the members of Congress, Sena-
tors and Representatives. was considered.
The author of the resolution. Mr.. Hoar,
made brief explanation of the necessity
Of making tie change proposed.
Mir. Hoar pointed out the fact that in
auguration days, under the present ar
rangement were too often characterized
weather involving danger to the lives
and health of those who participated in
the exercises. The most Important rea.
son for the adoption of the amendment
was that the time between the date Con-
gress convened in December and fourth
Of March when the Congress expired by
Limitation every two years. was too short.
Mr.. Perkins of California spoke
against any change IN the date of inau-
guration. He favored the fourth of March
because of what he termed s'Its hallowed,
almost sacred associations. He said
that one argument in favor of the change
that had been advanced was that the
fourth of March sometimes fell on Sun
day. He though that was really the only
argument in favor of the proposed amend
ment.
Mr.. Perkins concluded with an argu-
ment against asking Senators and Repre-
sentatives to vote for an extension of
their own terms
Mr.. Bacon and Mr.. Stewart advocated
fixing a day of the month instead of @
day of ths week, SO as not to shorten or
lengthen presidential terms.
Mr.. Chandler elaborated the desirable
ity of securing the extension of time
which the amendment would give to the
short session of Congress. He said the
committee had carefully considered the
point raised by Mr. Bacon and no felt
assured that the effect of the proposed
amendment would not be at all serious.
Mr.. Stewart offered an amendment
providing that the date should be the first
Thursday Of May.
Mr. Allen suggested that Mr.. Stewart
make his amendment read the fourth day
of May.
Mr. Stewart accepted the suggestion
and without division the Senate adopted
the amendment.
The resolution as amended was then
passed by q yea and nay vote, 80 to 16,
receiving the necessary two thirds vote
Mr.. Hawley secured the passage of a
bill suspending certain provisions of law
50 that hospital stewards to number ex.
cesding 100 may be appointed during the
existing war.
Mr.. Hawley also moved that the Senate
non-concur in the House amendments to
the bill providing assistance to the in
habitants of Cuba and arms and ammu-
milton for the Cuban insurgents. The
motion was carried. and Messrs. Hawley,
Carter and Cockrell were named rs con-
ferees The Senate then at five O'Clock
went into executive session. At 5.45 the
Sen ate adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
The uo,1co to1ov xuoc ~, coccior or,1u k0