The Portland daily press., 1898-05-03

washington. May AIT the opening of
inc senate session today the chaplain
Tered devout thanks for the glorious
victory won by Commodore Dewey's
Aslat1c squadron. The invocation fol.
lows:
We give Thee hearty thanks for the
good news coming to us from across the
sea OF the success with which Thou art
browning the conduct, discipline and
vaior OF the officers and men of our Asiat.
10 squadron. We bless Thee for the mag
nl1cent and unexampled spectacle of a
nation waging war not for the greed Of
land or treasure, not for power nor for
the qualification of revenge, but a war
which enlists the whole people in the
cause Of the poor, the needy and oppressed.
And we beseeoh Thee to let the light of
Ihy favor be upon us and to bring the
war to speedy and triumphant close.
Mr.. Turpie of Indiana. chairman of the
Democratic caucus, presented an order
appointing Mr.. Chiffon, Democrat of
Texas, to fill the vancancy on the finance
committee. caused by the death Of Sena-
tor Walthall. The order was adopted.
The war revenue measure passed the
House on Friday was reported to the
Senate and referred to the finance COM
mittee
A conference on the sund y civil bill
was agreed to and Messrs. Allison, Quay
and German were named as the Senate
conferees.
Another conference was agreed to on
the naval appropriation bill and Messrs.
Hale, Quay and German were named as
conferees. Immediately Mr.. Hale pre-
sented the new report Of the conferess,
an agreement having been made in ad-
vance Of the authorization of the confer
ence. The Senate receded from the amend
officers, which was opposed in the
House. The report was agreed to.
A bill to amend the act to permit the
use of the right of way through public
lands to tramways, canals and reservoirs
was passed.
A House bill providing for the suspen.
sion during the war of certain provisions
of the law relating to the quartermaster' S
department. Of the army was favorably
reported with somessminor amendments
by Mr.. Hawley of Connecticut, chair.
man Of the military affairs committee.
1t was passed without debate
Mr.. Stewart reported from the commit
tee on mines, bill providing that the
owners of mining claims who may enlist
in the war with Spain shall not be SUBJ
ject to the forfeiture of their claims for
not performing assessment work on them
as provided by law during the period of
their enlistment.
The measure was passed without debate
The resolution presented last Thursday
by Mr.. Butler of North Carolina, declar-
ing that no necessity existed for issuing
bonds to provide funds for the war and
in favor of the levy1ng of an income tax
was laid before the Senate
Mr.. Butler in supporting the resolution
of the war Has we 60" No issue of
bonds would be necessary If the war was
carried on as Lincoln carried the great
civil conflict. If the navy and land forces
of the United States were allowed to
move upon the enemy promptly and ag-
gressively the war would be over before
the "bond sharks' could further succeed
in mortgaging the future OF our own
people. The resolution was then referred
to the finance committee.
The Senate agreed on motion of Mr.
Allison to adjourn today until Wednes-
day next and at one p. NJ, went into Ex-
ecutive session.
At 2.35 p. IN. the doors were opened.
The Senate took a recess until three
O'Clock to await the Emergency war ap-
preparation bill.
When the Senate re-oonyened at three
O'Clock, the Vice President announced
the following appointments:
Mr.. Hawley. Connecticut, and Mr..
Kenney, Delaware, as mem bera of the