Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-05
Several Measures Get Through the
Senate with Little Debate.
WAR EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION.
lta Passage the Principal Feature IN the
House. Homestead Laws In Alaska-Ia-
crease Of Army surgeons -Rssolu.
tl0n Of Thanks to Dewey.

the slightest debate. Probably the
most important measure passed by the
senate was the emergency war de.
fcieucy bill, carrying $35, 7sO,945. Not
more than ten minutes were consumed
In passing it, that time being occupied
In reading the measure.
Senator Hawley, chairman Of the
military affairs committee, secured the
passage Of a bill providing for the en-
listment Of volunteer brigade Of en-.
gineers and of 5000 men in the south,
who are immune to yellow fever, these
enlistments to be in addition to those
provided for in the presidents call for
1885, volunteers. The men will en-.
List "for the war"
Two other war measures were passed,
one suspending, for the duration Of
the war, the restrictions placed by ex-
listing laws upon the quartermaster's
department Of the army, in order that
supplies may be purchased without
the present formalities; and the other
providing that owners OF mining claims
shall not forfeit them for not perform
ing assessment work upon them, pro.
vided they enlist for the war The
war revenue measure passed by the
house Of representatives last Friday
was received by the senate and re.
ferred to the finance committee for
consideration.
At the opening Of the senate's SEES
sion, the chaplain offered devout
thanks for the glorious victory won
BY Commodore Dewey's Asiastic squad
ron.
Senator Turpie, Of Indiana, chair
man Of the democratic caucus,
presented an order appointing Sena-
tor Chiffon. Of Texas, to I'LL the
vacancy on the finance committee,
caused by the death Of Senator Wal
thall. The order was adopted.
A conference on the sundry civil bill
was agreed to, and Messrs. Allison,
Quay and German we're named as the
senate conferees
The final conference report on the
naval appropriation bill was agreed to.
A bill to amend the act to permit the
use Of right-of.way through public
lands to tramways, canals and reser.
voirs was passed.
The resolution presented last Thurs
day by Senator Butler, Of North Caro-
lima, declaring that no necessity ex-
listed for issuing bonds to provide
funds for the war and in favor Of the
levying Of an income tax was laid be-
fore the senate. Senator Butler, in
supporting the resolution, declared in
favor of paying the expenses of the
war las we CO." 1t was referred to
the finance committee.
The senate then adjourned until
Wednesday.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, May S.-The passage
Of the emergency war appropriation
bill was the feature Of yesterdays &C.
ton by the house. The naval appro-
priation bill, with the senate amend
ment providing for the payment of
officers Of the navy for the use Of their
inventions by the government stricken
out, was reported from the conference
and passed. 1t now goes to the presi-
dent Mr.. Cannon, in explaining the
necessity Of the emergency war appro-
priation, pointed out that there was
not dollar available from any source
to meet these demands. Prompt &C.
ton was demanded in each instance |
to place at the disposal Of the author.
tiles means to equip and make most
efficient the forces Of the United States.
The bill was then passed without d.
vision.
Mr., Lacey, Of Iowa, presented the
conference report on the general
Alaskan bill extending the homestead
laws to and granting railroad rights
of-way in the territory. After some |
debate the report was rejected and a
further conference was asked.
The bill to increase the number of
surgeons in the army was passed.
A resolution from the senate provid.
ing for the adjustment and settlement
Of claims and counter claims between
the United States and the state Of Ten
nessee was passed.
Mr.. Loud, Of California, called up
resolution providing for the creation
Of a congressional commission to make
On exhaustive examination into the
postal service and report to congress.
The resolution was passed. |
The bill providing for the suspension
Of certain statutes relating to the COM
missary department was received from
the senate with senate amendments
and, upon motion Of Mr.. Hull, the
house voted to non-concur.
Mr.. Livingstone, Of Georgia, intro
duced the following resolution:
Resolved, That the thanks Of congress be,
and they are hereby rendered to Commodore |
George Dewey, commanding the Asiatic squad
ron for the eminent skill and valor exhibited |
by him and his squadron In the recent engage
ment resulting in his glorious victory over and
the destruction Of the Spanish feet in Manila
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,.-saaxa ura~ns A.. S..A-