The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-22
SENATE HAS A BUSY SESSION.
rHREE BILLS RELATING TO Ma
TIoNAL DEFENSE PASSED.

rhine of War Passed-Joint Reso-
lution Giving President Power to
Prevent the Expectation of Coal
and other War Material Adopted.
washington, April 21.-Three important
measures were passed by the Senate to-
d,v all Of which relate largely to national
defense.
The sundry civil bill, which has been
nendng for two weeks, and which carries
a large amount of money, intended to be
nsed in the strengthening of the coast de-
lenses. was finally passed.
The laval appropriation bill was imme-
si3t.ly aiken up and practically completed,
although pending the discussion of an
amendment concerning the price of armor
Mate. the bill was displaced in order that
the measure temporarily increasing the
military establishment of the United
States in time of war might be consid-
cred. After long discussion the BILL as
amended by the committee, was passed.
A Joint resolution was adopted giving the
President power to prevent the exporta-
ton of coal and other war material.
Just before adjournment it became
known among senators on the floor that
Senator Walthall of Mississippi, who had
been ill for several weeks, was dead. The
formal announcement of his death was
not made, but will be when the Senate
convenes tomorrow.
Mr.. Morrill, Of Vermont secured the pas
sage of a bill to restore to citizenship in
the United States Mrs. Nellie Grant Sar-
toris, daughter of the late President Grant
who forfeited her citizenship by her mar
rage to a subject of Great Britain.
Mr.. Quay of Pennsylvania introduced
the following resolution:
THAT the President is hereby author
lied, in his discretion, and with such
limitations and exceptions as shall seem
to him expedient, to prohibit the export
of coal or other material used in war
from any seaports of the United States
until otherwise ordered by Congress"
When the sundry civil bill was laid be-
fore the Senate, its consideration being
by agreement under the five-minute rule
Mr. Money of Mississippi said he had
ADLGGu III a iLOIAlilS paper A4iG SldASiil6ill
that the state department had announced
there would be during the approaching
war no privateering by the United States,
and that this government would abide by
the treaty of Paris made in 1856.
Mr. Money said that he could not be-
Heve the President had taken such action
But" he said, cit is well enough that
the powers delegated to the President be
clearly defined here and now. The power
to issue letters of marque and reprisal
belongs exclusively to Congress. Neither
thesUnited States nor Spain is signatory
to the treaty of Paris"
A number of amendments were made to
the sundry eiYA bill and it was then
passed.
The naval appropriation bill was laid
before the Senate The bill as it passed
the House carried $50, AIS, 1S0. AS it was
reported 10 the Senate it carries SAG, 277, 55S.
Pending the consideration of the naval
bill, Mr.. Hawley of Connecticut chair
man of the military affairs committee,
called up the resolution introduced a few
days and re-introduced to-day, relating
10 the expectation of coal and other war
materials. After so amending the resoiu-
ton as to enable the President not only
to lay, but to raise the embargo, the res
oluuon was passed without division.
The reading of the naval bill was then
resumed and completed with its amend
ments a 2:40 o clock. An amendment was
added by the committee providing that the
Secretary of the Navy may establish
depots for coal or other fuel for warships,
and appropriatlng $25O,0OO for that purpose.
MIR Perkins of California secured the
adoption of an amendment appropriating
100000 for the reconstruction of buildings
destroyed recently by earthquake at the
Mare Island navy yard, California.
several minor amendments were adopt
ed. AS the bill was about to pass the
amor matter was brought up, and as il
was likely to lead to debate, Mr. Hawley
brought up the volunteer army bill, which
was considered by unanimous consent.
The bill has been fully described in
these dispatches, together with to-day s
amendments by the Senate military COM
mittee.
Some other minor amendments were Of
fered by Mr.. Hawley and agreed to.
MIR. Bacon of Georgia suggested that
the bill be so amended as to pSbvide that
no man in the militia service should be
compelled to enlist by the vote of the COM
pany of which he is a member.
Mr.. Hawley explained that nobody could
b. forced to enlist as a volunteer in the
service of the United States, and there
would be no practical difficulty in carry
ing into effect the provisions of the bill
The BILL after an extended discussion
VAS passed.
Consideration of the naval appropria
ton bill was then resumed, in order that
certain amendments might be offered.
Mr.. Butler proposed an amendment thai
the government should pay no more thar
$50 a ton for armor plate, and appropriate.
Ing Sl500,OOO for an armor plate factory ant
100000 for the manufacture of armol
plate for vessels now being constructed
The amendment went over.
Mr. Tilman of South Carolina Offered
and secured the adoption of an amend
ment providing for an electric light anC
power plant at a cost of $4,000, and FOL
the storage and handling of coalt at {
cost of $4,000, both at the naval station
Port Royal. $. c.
The Senate then, at $50 O'Clock, on mo
uon of Mr.. Quay Of Pennsylvania, wen
INTO executive session and adjourned a
7OG o'clock
WORK OF THE LOWER HOUSE.
RESOLUTION Prohibiting Expectation
of Coal Passed.
H.