The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-22
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
President Given Authority to Prohibit
Expectation of Coal.

WASHINGTON, April Reconsideration
of the contested election case of Patterson
vs. Carmack from the Tenth Tennessee dis
trict was interrupted to-day to allow the pas
sage, without division Of the joint resolution
to authorize the President in his discretion to
prohibit the expectation of coal and other
war material. The measure is considered
of vital Importance to prevent the shipment
of coal to Cu,'an, Porto Rican and other
ports where it could be used by Spain. The
speaker signed it Just before the House adj
journed.
The resolutions of inquiry reported by the
foreign affairs committee were adopted. One
called on the President, If not Incompatible
with the public interest, to transmit all cor
respondence between Consul General Lee
and the State Department between May l,
1896, to the present time. The second re-
Quested him to inform the House what
steps, If any, had been taken to protect the
lives and property of the three hundred
Americans left at Matanzas.
In reply to an inquiry in connection with
the latter resolution, Mr.. Adams acting
chairman of the foreign affairs committee,
explained the steps taken by the government
to convey Americans from Cuba and the
warnings given. But, he said, few Ameri-
cans took advantage OF the offer OF the
United States. They did not seem to reailze
their full danger. Mr.. Adams said our in
terests were being looked after by British
consuls and the incident at Havana rev
days ago, when an American was arrested
and Immediately released on the demand of
the British consul showed that the rights
of our citizens were being carefully guarded
Mr.. Henderson said he was willing that
the resolution should be adopted SIMPLY 10
show that everything was being done Tor
the protection of such Americans as re-
manned upon the island.
The bill to restore Mrs Nellie Grant Sar-
toriS to American citizenship was passed.
Mr.. Kirkpatrick (Rep. Pa then called
up the contested election case OF Patterson
vs.. Carmack. from the Tenth Tennessee
district. Mr.. Richardson (Dem., Tenn.)
raised the question of considera ton. After
parliamentary struggle, consideration was
agreed to. 1t was arranged that there
should be four hours debate on a side, with
provision for a vote at 4:3O p. m. tomorrow
Unanimous consent was asked that Mr..
Patterson the contestant, should nave an
hour to address the House, but to this Mr..
Richardson objected, save with the under
standing that he should speak before the
minority closed. This arrangement was re-
jected. Mr.. Richardson objected. There was
more than the usual political feeling in this
case on the Democratic side, owing to the
fact that Mr. Patterson, the contestant, was
himself a Democrat. He had represented
the district in the last Congress and had
affiliated himself with the gold Democrats.
Both he and Mr.. Carmack claimed to be
Democratic candidates, but the free-silver
wing repudated Mr. Patterson and the lat
ter was more or less affiliated in the cam
paign with the Republicans. Carmack'S ma
1ority on the face of the returns was 365.
The contestant charged conspiracy and
the majority of the committee found for
minority, from the testimony, contended
that Carmack's majority was Increased to
$50.
Messrs Kirkpatrick, Grosvenor Rep., o.
and Brundige Dem. Ark spoke on the
election case to-day. AT 5:45 p. m. the
House adjourned.