The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-20


journed until Monday. ."
Washington, May 1O.-Fitting tribute
was paid by the senate to Commodore
Dewey for the magnificent victory he
achieved in the battle of Manila bay.
A message from the president was re-
ceived recommending that vote of
thanks be extended by congress to
Commodore Dewey and the gallant Of
fcers and men of his command. With
out a word of debate and without dis
senting voice the senate agreed to the
resolution carrying into effect the rec
ommendation of the president. The
senate went further even than that. A
bill was presented increasing the num-
Der Of rear admirals in the navy from
SIX to seven in order that the president
might nominate Commodore Dewey to
the highest possible post in the navy
within his gift, and that, too, was
passed without a dissenting vote. In
addition joint resolution was unani-
mously agreed to directing the secre-
tary Of the navy to present to Commo-
dore Dewey
A Sword of Honor,
and have struck, in commemoration Of
the battle of Manila. medal of bronze
for each Of the officers and men who
participated in the gallant fight. The
resolution appropriates $4,000 to en-
able the secretary the secretary to car
ry its provisions into effect. The bill
offered last Friday authorizing the
postmaster general to establish post
offices at military posts and camps in
order to facilitate the delivery of mail
to soldiers, and was reported favorably
by the postOttice and post roads COM
mittee and unanimously passed. The
postoftice appropriation bill was under
discussion during almost the entire
session. the subject of discussion being
the proposition to reduce the compensa-
ton of railroads 20 per cent for carry
ing the mails. The amendment was
defeated by the decisive vote of 40 to s.
1t was unanimously agreed to vote on
the bill at o'clock to-day.
House Acts Quickly.
re CRATER part of the day in the
house was consumed by war measures.
The recommendation of the president
that vote of thanks be rendered Com
modore Dewey and his associate Of
1cers and men was followed quickly
with unanimous vote and with equal
concert the house passed the bill Gre
atfng an additional rear admiralship
for the hero of Manila. The bill pro-
viding for the organization of volun-
teer engineer brigade and enlistment
of 10000 volunteer troops immune to
tropical diseases was passed after two
hours debate. The principal ground of
opposition presented was found in the
features giving to the president the ap-
pointment of all officers. The senate
bill authorizing the army to distribute
food among the suffering Cubans and
to arm the Cuban people was passed.
Washington, May IL. - -Four war
measures were passed by the senate.
One of them provided for carrying on
the additional work in the adjutant
generals Office; the second authorizes
the. enlistment of volunteer signal
corps. two thirds of the members OF
which must be expert electricians or
telegraphers; the third was the So
called immune bill' passed by the
house, and the fourth was measure
suspending the existing law so that adj
pointed.
The postoffice appropriation bill, car
rying appropriations which aggregate
more than $99,OO0OOO, was passed at
ter debate which has lasted for sew
eral days. A determined effort was
made by Mr.. Butler of North Carolina
to cut off the sum appropriated for the
fast mail service between New York
and Washington to Atlanta and New
Orleans and to provide for two COM
mittees to investigate postal affairs.
but it was unsuccessful, all amend
ments except those offered by the COM
mittee Oh appropriations being voted
down.
After an extended and interesting
debate the resolutions submitted to the
legislatures of the various states. an
amendment to the constitution of the
United States changing the date of
the beginning of the terms Of the pres
ident, vice president and members of
cogress from March to May was
adopted. Following is the text of the
proposed amendment:
1.-The term of office of the president
and vice president and of the Fifty
sixth congress shall continue until the
fourth day of May in the year 1901. at
noon; and the fourth day of May, at
noon, shall thereafter be substituted
for the fourth day of March as the
commencement and termination of the
official term of the president, vice pres
ident. senators and representatives in
congress-"
Short Session of the House.
The house was in session only fifty
minutes, the early adjournment being
due to no urgent measures of ilnpor-
lance being before the house, and to
general indisposition to take up minor
matters.
Washington, May 12.-After refusing
by u vote of 4s to 9O to, consider the
senate. bill restricting Immigration,
the house took up and devoted the SEES
Sion to the house resolution to submit
to- tasetstates proposition TO amend
the constitution SO as to provide for
the election Of senators hv Giracf