The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-04-30
CURRENT TOPICS.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF.
F%IFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

IN the senate. on the 2lst, the sundry civil ap-
preparations bill was further considered and
passed. The bill carries 4 larg, amount of
money intended to be used in the strengthening
Of the country coast defenSeS. The naval ap-
preparation bill was taken up and practically
completed, and a joint resolution was adopted
giving the president power to prevent the ex.
portatiOn Of coal and war materials a bill to
restore Mrs Nellie Grant-SartoriS to citizen
ship in the United States was passed. lin
the house a joint resolution was passed to au-
therize the president, in his discretion, to pro-
hieit the expectation OF coal and other war ma
terialS. The bill to restore Mrs. Nellie Grant
Sortoris to citizenship was also passed.
IN the senate, on the odd, during a brief open
ing session, Mr.. Money (Miss) announced the
death Of his colleague. Senator Walthall. The
senate then went into executive session, dur
ing which the conference report on the volun-
teer bill was agreed to......In the house the
conference report on the bill authorizing the
president to call out the volunteers was agreed
to without debate. The Patterson-Carmack
contested election case was disposed of, the
sitting member, Mr.. Carmack, being given the
seat
In the senate, on the 23d, no business was
transacted, adjournment being had Immediate
" after the close of the funeral obSequieS over
the remains of Senator Walthall. In the
house, before completing the consideration OF
tHe army reorganization Oil, u recess was INK
en- to attend the funeral of Senator Walthall in
the senate chamber, after which consideration
of the army bill was resumed and its passage
was secured at I:43 p. N.
IN the senate, on the 18th, war measures &C.
cupied the entire session. A message from
the president urging congress to declare the
existence Of war between the United States and
Spain was received, and without comment re-
ferred. The naval appropriation bill was fur
Their considered and passed. The army bill was
taken up and promptly passed. The senate
then passed the house bill declaring q state
of war to exist between Spain and the
United States I'm the house, pending
consideration of an election case. 4 mes
sage was received from the president ask
ing that congress declare a state Of war exist
ing between Spain and the United States; the
committee on foreign affairs framed the bill
while Acting Chairman Adams wrote the re-
port. Tit bill was passed and on its way to
the senate in one hour and six minutes. The
house then resumed consideration OF the con-
teSted-electiOn case.
In the senate. on the Goth, the conference re-
port on the army reorganization bill was agreed
to, eugroSSed and signed. The remainder of
the open session was devoted to the passage
of "a private pension bills and numerous meas
ures from the general calendar. After 4 short
executive session The senate adjourned I'm
the house the revenue bill was reported and an
agreement had for its consideration and a vote
upon the same. The W~ise-YOung contested
election case, from the second Virginia district,
was decided in favor of the contestant, DR..
Wise rep), by a party vote. The senate
were non-concurred in, AMI q conference re-
uupStA1