Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-16
CONGRESS-.


The session on the 18th was devoted to cen
sideration Of the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill. At the hour Of adjournment
the Dill had not been disposed Of, and its dis
cussion will be continued on the Sth.
The session of the Senate on the 9Th was
largely devoted to the consideration of the
District OF Columbia appropriation bill. At
400 p. NJ, during the discussion of the bill,
a message was received from the House con-
Tey1ng to the Senate the bill appr0priating
POO 1871 900 for national defense, just passed
by the House. The bill was laid before the
Senate and on motion Of Mr.. Allison of Iowa,
referred to the committee on appropriations.
The S5O,OO0,OOO defense bill was passed by
the Senate on the 9th by a unanimous vote.
executive session.
No business of real Importance was trans
acted in open session of the Senate on the
IOth. Inc session lasted only an hour, the
routine morning business. A few bills Of
minor Importance were passed.
House.
The Hawley bill providing for two addi-
tfOnal regiments of artillery was passed by
the House on the It'll under suspension of the
rules by almost unanimous vote. Mr. Bailey
the Democratic leader, wanted more time for
debate than the forty minutes allowed, and
because he did not get it he inaugurated
flibuster against District of Columbia Iegs-
lation that continued all day. Chairman
Cannon introduced a bill entitled, ''Making
ApPropria tons for the National Defense. 4"
appropriated out of any money in the treas
ury not otherwise appropriated for the ma
tonal defense and for each and every pur-
pose connected Herewith to be expended at
the discretion Of the President and to remain
aYallabIe until June 30, 1899, $50, 0O0O GOO"
The bill was referred to the committee ON
appropriations and will be considered on the
Sth.
In a spirit of patriotism, with eloquent
words ringing in their ears, every member
Of the House Of Representatives on the Sth
rpSnOp0p6 n fret 70
meet the Spanish situation by casting his
vote for bill BIZ Pd placing ling in President McKin
leyS hands $4,000 600 to be expended at his
discretion for the national defense. Party
lines were swept away and with unanimous
voice Congress voted its confidence il the
aa airad tith Many members who We're
sponSlbility of breaking their pairs,
precedented thing in legislative annals, IN
port OF this vast appropriation to maintain
the dignity and honor Of their country.
Speaker Reed, who as the presiding officer,
seldom votes only in case of a tie had his
name called and voted in his capacity as a
representative. The scene of enthusiasm
which greeted the announcement of the vote
alleled in the House.
The legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill went through it's last stages
in the adoption of the financial conference
report in the House on the 9th. The remain
der of the day was consumed in cOnsdera-
ton Of the Senate amendments to the Indian
appropriation bill. The substitute for the
Senate provision regarding the opening of
the UncOmpahgre reservation was knocked
out on point of order, and the amendment
goes back to conference. The desire of the
cOnferees to nOncOncur in the Senate free
homestead clause encountered bitter opposi-
ton, and an arrangement was made where
by four hours are to be devoted to debate
proposition to concur submitted by Mr.. Eddy
Of Minnesota. Mr.. Sherman, chairman Of
the Indian committee, declared that the free
homestead provision would cost the govern
ment 500, 100000. He desires to eliminate
it from the bill and has the support of the
secretary of the interior.
All day in the House on the 10th was spent
on the Indian appropriation bill The Sen
ate amendments were nOncOncurred in and
the bill sent to conference.
The bill to pay the Bowman act claims,
aggregatng s. 100000, for stores and sup
plies furnished the Union army during the
war was considered in the House on the 18th
until ) O'Clock, but beyond completing the
general debate little progress was made.
Of the 800 odd claims in the bill all but a
few come from the South, and dilatory
tactics were reSOrted to to prevent progress.
During the filibustering the House was in an
uproar. At 5 o'clock, after completing two
pages Of the bill, the House recessed until
8 o'clock for an evening session to be de-
voted to pension legislation. After the even
ing session the House adjourned until the
18th.