The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1898-12-20
CONGRESS AT WORK AGAIN.

btlJutlOnal Tor THIS government TO ac-
quire foreign territory except for coal
ing stations or some like purpose, un-
less its intention was to confer state
hood upon the territory and citizenship
upon its inhabitants. In aIlengthy
speech Mr.. Vest said that it was a
basic principle of this government that
1.-THE powers of the government were
derived from the consent of the gov
erned," and maintained that the fed
eral government had no authority
either in morals or in the constitution
TO go beyond that principle. Senator
Platt (Rep., Conn., opposed Mr.. Vest
and said that at later date he would
go into the subject at length to show
wherein the Missouri senator was
wrong.
During the consideration of pension
bills Senator Vest (Mo.) protested
against the rushing of such b lis
through the senate when there was
not quorum present and with only
the title being read. He was willing
to pay munificently and literally in
pensions, but insisted that these bills
should receive proper consideration.
Mr.. Gallinger IN. H., chairman of the
senate pension committee, agreed with
Mr.. Vest.
Rep. Hepburn, of Iowa, introduced
bill authorizing the President to ac-
quire by purchase from the states of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua full owner
ship, jurisdiction and sovereignty of
such land as may be desirable and nec-
essary to construct and defend ship
canal from ocean to ocean. The bill
also appropriates $14O, 900, 900 to con-
stuct the canal.
! Senator Turpie Dem., Ind.), made
strong speech in opposition to the Mic
aragua canal bill, attacking it on the
ground that it is in the interest of the
Maritime Canal Co., which he charac-
terized as fraud and bankrupt Mr.
Morgan defended the bill and the Mar
itime Co. Messrs. Berry and Rawlins
both offered amendments materially
affecting the bill.
Senator McCaffrey (La.) introduced
resolution requesting the President to
enter into negotiations with Great
Britain for the purpose of modifying
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty in so far as
it interferes with the United States
constructing, owning or controlling an
inter-oceanic canal across the isthmus
of Darien.
Rep. Mcclellan, of New York, intro
duced in the house bill for the reor-
ganization of the army. 1t was drawn
af4
and is supposed to represent the ideas
of the younger element of the army.
1t makes some very radical changes in
the staff and has some novel features.
The house for the second time during
this congress has refused to consider
the Lodge immigration bill, which has
passed the Senate At the last session
an attempt was made to take it from
the speakers table, hut it was defeated
by large majority. This time the
vote was 100 to 103.
Senators Hale (Vt.) and Hoar (Mass)
presented resolutions of citizens in
their states, demonstrating against the
extension of American sovereignty
over the Philippine islands and against
the acquisition of foreign territory
without the consent of the people of
such territory.
During the discussion of the Nicara-
qua canal bill Mr.. Money urged post
ponement of the question in order to
permit an opportunity for negotiations
with Great Britain for a modification
of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and Mr..
Morgan antagonized the proposition.
Senator Vest introduced a resolution
providing for the appointment of a
joint commission composed of three
senators and five members of the house,
to investigate the charges of corrup-
tion in the conduct of the war with
Spain.
The urgent deficiency bill to provide
for the support of the military and
naval establishments was passed by
the house practically without opposi-
ton. There was not word of criti-
cism of the war during the debate.
In response to the Presidents mes
sage Senator Hoar introduced resolu-
tion for committee to prepare and
carry out plans for the celebration of
the centennial of the city OF Washing
ton as capital of the United States.
The pension appropriation bill re-
ported to the house carries S145, ,233, $50,
being 81, 900, 900 more than carried by
the current act. The total number of
pensioners on the rolls is 993,714.
Rep. Hepburn, of Iowa, introduced a
joint resolution proposing an amend
ment to the constitution, providing
for three-fourths vote of congress to
admit state into the Union.
The house passed the District of Col
umbia appropriation bill, which car
ries Sc, ,259, ,950-s176, 600 less than the
last bill and s2,s71, 1857 less than the
estimates.
Maj-Gen Miles appeared before the
house committee on military affairs
for hearing relative TO the proposed
reorganization and increase of the