The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-12-21
House.
SEVENTH DAY.

The House spent the larger part of
the day on District of Columbia af-
fairs. The bill to relieve the condition
of American seamen was taken up, but
nothing was accomplished.
Representative Hepburn, of Iowa,
introduced a bill authorizing the Presi-
dent to acquire by purchase from the
states of Costa Rica and Nicaragua
full ownership, Jurisdiction and sover-
eighty of such land as may be desir-
able and necessary to construct and
defend a ship canal. The President is
also directed to construct such a canal,
and the bill appropriates $4,000, 900 to
complete II.
EIGHTH DAY.
The house passed the District of Co.
lumbia appropriation bill without a
single amendment The bill carries
s6.3b9.s50. which is $176.600 less than was
carried by the last bill. and $2.s71,S5
less than the estimates.
On motion Of Mr.. Hay Dem., Va.) q
resolution was adopted calling upon
the secretary Of war for information
as to what towns In Porto Rico. Cuba
and the Philippines are required to be
garrisoned; how many troops will be
necessary for that purpose, and how
many soldiers will be needed for the
United States proper.
Representative McRae Of Arkansas
public land laws to the island Of Ha-
vail. subject to such regulations as
may be made by the secretary of the
interior.
NINTH DAY.
The pension appropriation bill was
reported to the house and Mr.. Barney
(Rep.. Wis., gave notice that he would
call 1t up on the following day. The
senate bill to regulate the sitting of
United States courts within the dis
trict of South Carolina was passed.
The pension appropriation bill re-
ported to the house carries S145. 233, $780,
being Si,000.000 more than carried by
the current act, due to the increase in
pension disbursements, which rose
from $139.949,7 III in 1897 to $144.651, $40
in 1898. The total number of pension
ers on the rolls is 993.714.
TENTH DAY.
The pension appropriation bill in
days gone by has been one of the most
fruitful themes of acrimonious parti-
san debate, but to-day, although car
rying $4,000, 900 more than the act for
the current year, 1t was passed in 20
minutes without word OF criticism by
the House.
Mr.. Hill (Rep., Comm then called up
the bill ito carry into effect the recon-
mendations of the international
American conference by the incorpora-
ton OF the international American
bank" Mr. Brosius (Rep., Pa said
the business between this country and
those Of the south of us had aggre-
gated more than $4,000. 900. 900 since the
recommendation OF the Pan American
congress was made in 1889. Practically
all of II has been carried on by drafts
on London at a cost OF y to per cent
exchange This American trade should
be controlled by Americans.
ELEVENTH DAY.
The bill to extend the customs and
revenue laws OF the United States over
the Hawaiian islands was passed by
the house without opposition. The bill
Mr.. Dingley explained, carried with II
the civil service laws relating to ap-
pointments in the customs and revenue
service In Hawaii. He urged the i'm
mediate passage of the act In order
to protect the revenue Of the United
States.
Representative Rixey of Virginia In
troduced bill for the admission OF
confederate as well as union soldiers
to all soldiers homes and government
institutions maintained BY the gov
erumoDt.