The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-01
SENATORS WORK HARD
PASS TWO GENERAL APPROPRIATION
BILLS IN SIX HOURS.
Adverse Report on Mr.. Aliens PrOpO-
est Pensions TO $40 Month.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 31.-To-day's session
of the Senate lasted six hours, two of the
general appropriation bills-that for the
army carrying s23,14S, 1872 and that for the
legislative, judicial and executive depart
ments carrying 81 65s, 52e-were passed, the
latter consistip~ Of 121 pages, occupying the
attention of tine Senate during the greater
part of the session.
At the opening Of the session john c. Nc
Laurin was sworn in as Senator from
South Carolina to fill in the unexpired term
of the late Senator Earle, the term ending
March 4, 1903.
Mr.. Gallinger, chairman of the pension
committee, reported adversely 10 the bill
introduced by Mr. Allen, providing that al
pensioners now receiving less than $40
month receive that amount after the bill )
passage Mr.. Galingar said that the whole
number OF pensioners affected by he pre-
posed bill was 46S. 1863, and that the tota; .
unal increase in pensions would aSsresat.
SIS. 2S6,0c0 The bill was placed OH the CAL
endar.
The agricultural appropriation bill was re-
ported by Mr.. Cullom and placed on the cal
cndar.
Mr. Foraker secured the adoption of
resolution instructing the secretary of war
to return to the State of Ohio the regi-
mental flags of the Twenty-first, Twenty
eighth and sSixtieth Regiments, q. V. L., on
request of the Governor of Ohio.
Mr. Morgan presented a resolution, when
he asked to lie on the table, requesting the
President. If i'm his opinion not inconsistent
with the public service, to send 10 the sch
ate the correspondence and notes OF diplo-
matte character relating to the negotiations
and the exchange of ratlhcatlonS upon d
treaty between the United states ana Great
Britain relating to compensation lor tue
seizure of British ships IN the BeflnS seq,
and also the instructions and advice given
by the State Department to the agent OF at
torney of the United States as to the con-
duct of the arbitration.
At the request of Mr.. Carter. chairman oil
the census committee, the pending census
bill WAS made the unfinished business.
Mr. Pettigrew gave notice tnat ne W0uIu
tomorrow speak upon his resolution declar-
ing it to be the policy of the United states
not to acquire territory to defend WHICH
d navy would be required.
Mr. Hale anticipated. he said, that the
proposed speech of the Senator from South
Dakota would trench upon q matter prop
erlv being considered by the Senate in ex-
ecutive session. IL it should so trench; II
would be q violation of the Senate rules,
and he wanted 1t understood that objection
would be raised.
Mr.. Pettigrew said he thought it would
be time enough to object when 1t became
evident that he was violating the Senate
rules
Mr.. Chandler gave notice that on next
Friday, at the conclusion OF the morning
business he would move to take up the
case relating to the seating of Mr. Corbett
as a senator from Oregon.
Mr., Foraker called up the bill providing,
under certain conditions, for the purchase
by the government of the Kansas Pac11c
branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, and
asked that it be considered ut once.
Mr.. Thurston offered the following amend
ment to the BILL In case the Kansas Pa
cific division of the Union Pacific Railroad
shall be purchased for the United States,
then the President may, in his discretion,
sell the railroad and property so purchased
for sum not less than the full amount paid
out by the United States TO purchase the
railroad and property Inc secretary OF me
treasury SHALL under the direction of the
President make execute and deliver to the
purchaser or purchasers or said ra1lroad
and property a conveyance in writing, but
not under seal. which conveyance shall vest
in said purchaser or purchasers all the
rights, title and interest of the United
States in and to the property therein de-
scribed."
amendment providing that lin no case shall
the sale be made for a less sum than the
original claim and interest due thereon,
In view of Mr.. Turpies amendment, Mr.
Foraker withdrew his request for imme-
date consideration.
During consideration of the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation bill
Mr.. Turpie secured the adoption of an
amendment providing that in any reduc-
flee the commissioner shall retain in the
service by preferences such employees as
may be honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors or their widows and daughters.
Mr.. Cockrell did not believe the condition
of the business in the Pension Office war
ranted such a reduction of force as has been
suggested. and said that if. after the reduc-
ton was made, an effort should be made to
increase the force there would be some
amusement over it,
Mr.. Platt commended the work of the
commissioner of pensions and thought his
statements before the committee on civil
service and retrenchment were made with a
sir cere desire to better the service of his
bureau. After the bill had been passed,
the Senate, at $50 y. M, went into execu-
tive session. and soon thereafter adjourned.