The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-04-02
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
Something of the Talks and the Acts
of both branches.

During the debate on the naval appro-
priation bill Saturday in the house every
utterance in favor of aggressive actios
against Spain was applauded to the echo
by the crowded galleries. A strong ef-
fort was made to increase the appropria-
tion for the naval reserves, but it failed.
Another effort to have the government
uniform the naval militia also failed. The
main contest OF the day was over prop
osition TO decrease the number of timber
drydocks authorized by the bill from four
to three Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the
appropriations committee, who made the
motion to discuss the whole question OF
war preparations and TO inveigh against
undue extravaganza, was voted down. No
point of order was made against the pro
posed timber docks, but Mr.. Cannon gave
notice that he would raise point against
7 the proposed steel dock at Algiers, La, on
the ground that dock necessarily in
volved in the future the establishment OF
navy yard There was some further
discussion of the relative merits of large
battleships and smaller craft, in which
the temper of the house seemed about
equally divided, but the paragraphs rela
tive to the ships had not been reached
when the house adjourned.
Presidents Message Received.
Every available inch in the senate pub
JIG galleries was occupied Monday and all
the senate galleries We're packed to the
doors by l o'clock. In the diplomatic gal
lery were Abner Mckinley, the presidents
brother, and Mrs. Captain Sigsbee. The
attendance of senator's was unusually
large. At the conclusion of the reading of
the presidents message, Senator Davis OF
Davis of Minnesota, chairman of the com
mittee on foreign relations, amid buzz OF
whispered conversation, rose and request
ed that the findings of the court of inquiry
be read. At the conclusion of the reading,
Senator Davis moved the message of the
president, the findings OF the court of in
qViry and the testimony taken before the
court be referred to the committee on for
eign relations and ordered printed.
A big crowd was present in the house.
At exactly II o'clock the speaker called
the house to order. There were no pre-
liminaries. While the journal was being
read Chief Executive Cluerk Pruden APP
peared with the message, which was an
nounced as soon as the reading of the
journal was concluded. When the read
ing of the message was concluded a wave
of applause swept over the floor and the
galleries. The speaker Immediately an
nounced the reference of the message to
the committee on foreign relations under
j., the rule Mr. Bailey, the democratic lead
:, er, asked if the report of the board of in
. quiry had not accompanied the message
The speaker replied that foot note to the
=, message contained the information that
:, the testimony had been transmitted to the
senate.
Cuban Resolutions.
Senator Rawlins of Utah, introduced a
= Joint resolution Tuesday recognizing the
independence of Cuba and declaring wal
against Spain.
Senator Foraker offered resolution foi
Cuban independence Foraker spoke OF
the delays caused by the de LONE Incl
dent and the Maine incident, but declared
the Cuban question would come up what
ever was done with the Maine. Senator
Frye introduced Il resolution reciting the
conditions in Cuba and directing the pres
idcnt, in his discretion, to take steps e.
drive the naval and military forces from
the island. The Rawlins. Foraker ano
Frye resolutions all went to the commit
tee on foreign relations. Senator Mason
followed the introduction of the resolu
tons in the senate with a vigorous wal
speech. He described wildly the dis
aster of the Maine. He said if 90 of the
victims had been senators or the sons o
senators it would not have been 40 day
before war had been declared. He coulC
not speak for Others but Ton himself b,
was for war.
In the house Mr. Hartman of Montan.
today introduced Il resolution declaring
y the United States recognizes the indie
pendence of the republic of Cuba ant
pledges the full measure OF its supper
for the maintenance Of independence
Mr.. Marsh of Illinois. chairman of tn
house committee on militia, introduced
Joint resolution declaring war between
Spain and the United States. The mem
bers of the house who favor immediate
and aggressive action are discussing al
sorts OF methods by which the house cal
be brought to an expression of opinion.
Want All Good Men.
San Francisco March Of - Tieutenau