Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-22
IN CONGRESS-.

Washington, April 21.-Three import
ant measures were passed hy the Sen
ate, this afternoon. all Of which relate
largely to tho national defence The
sundry civil bill, which has been pend
ing for two weeks, and which carries a
large amount Of money intended to he
used in The strengthening If the coun-
try's coast defence. was finally passed
The naval appropriation bill was i'm
mediately taken UP and practically
completed. although, pending the dis
cussion of an amendment concerning
the price Of armor plate, the bill was
displaced in order that the measure
temporarily increasing the military es-
adjustment Of the United States in
time Of war might he considered. AT
ter a long discussion of the bill as
amended by the committee, it was
passed.
\ joint resolution was adopted giving
the President power tn prevent the eX-
portation Of coal and other war ma
terial.
Just before adjournment, it became
known among senators on the floor that
Senator Walthal of Mississippi. who
had been i'll for several weeks, was
dead The formal announcement Of his
death was not made, but will be when
the Senate conyenes, tomorrow.
Just before the Senate convened, today,
q telephone message was received at the
Capitol announcing that Mr.. Walthall
of Mississippi, was dying. The news cast
q feeling # gloom ever thu entire Senate.
Morrill, NJ. secured The passage of Il
yin To restore 10 citizenship in the United
States Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris. d&uSh-
ter Of the late President Grant. who for
feited her citizenship ny her marriage to
q subject of Great Britain.
Quay. Pa, introduced the following rcSo-
luton:
THAT the President is hereby authoriz-
ed. in his discretion and with such limta
tons and exceptions as shall seem to him
eNpeddent. to prohibit the export Of coal
or other material used in war from any
seaport Of the United States until other |
wise ordered by Congress-
Quay gave notice that later in the day |
he would call up the resolution.
Wine The sundry civil bin was laid be |
agreement under the five minute rule |
Money, Miss. said he had noticed in a |
morning paper the statement that the |
state department had announced there |
would, during the approaching war be no |
privateering by the United States and this |
government would abide by the treaty of |
Paris made in 1886. Il desire to inquire, |
said he. whether any member of the for
cign relations committee can inform the |
Senate if the statement made in the news
papers is true?'
''T have hp3rI potbincr ,ha11t tba
ter. said Davis, chairman of the foreign |
relations committee, except what | have
seen in the newspapers.
The reading Of the naval bill was then
resumed ana completed with its amend
ments at 2.4o Z. NJ. An amendment was
added by the committee providing that
the secretary of the navy may establish
depots for coal or other fuel for warshipa
ana appropriatins $250,G00 for that pur-
pose.
Perkins. Cal, secured the adoption of an
approprating $lAo,olU for the
reconstruction of buildings destroyed re
Gently by earthquake at Mare Island navy
yard, California Several minor amend
mentS were adopted.
AS the bill was about to pass, the armor
matter was brought up and as it was like
~ to lead to debate, Hawlcy brought up
the volunteer army bill, which was con-
siiered by unanimous consent. The bill
has been fully described III these dis
patches. together with today's amend
ments by the Senate military committee
some other minor amendments were OIL
cred by HaWley and agreed to.
Bacon, Ga, suggested that the bill be
SO amended as to provide that no man IN
the militia service should be compelled to
enlist by the vote of the company of
which he is a member. Hawley explained
that nobody could be forced to enlist as
4 volunteer in the service Of the United
States and there would be no practical
in carrying into effect the pro,
VISIONS of the bill. He further explained
hat no member Of a military organization
could be forced to go out of the country
to perform service until he should Volun-
teer for such service.
Pettus. Ala, explained that the matter
suggested by Bacon would be arranged by
the Governors Of states No individual
company on regiment would pc competed
Continued on page 50