Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1898-02-26
OF CONGRESS
DISCUSS THE NATIONS AFFAIRS
Leaders in Both Branches of the Ma
In Talk as Well as Transact Some
Public Business-What Has Been
Done.

Thursday was quiet day in congress.
The house committee ON the election of
president. vice president and representa-
tives in congress has authorized favora
bic report on resolution to propose to
the various state legislatures an amend
ment to the constitution as follows: The
house Of representatives shall be composed
of members chosen every fourth year by
the people of the several states and cleo
tors in each state shall have the qualif-
cations requisite for electors of most nu-
merous branch of the state legislature.
Senator Carter, from the senate commit
tee on public lands. received favorably
the house bill granting right of way to
railroads and extending the homestead
laws in Alaska. with amendments made
bv the senate committee. The amend
ments limit to 40 acres the amount OF
land to be taken. unless the land is dis
tinctly agricultural, the object being to
prevent monopoly by any individual OF
valuable sites. Senator Carter has also
introduced bill for the government of
Alaska Senator Allen introduced res
olution today instructing the senate COM
mittee on naval affairs to investigate the
Maine explosion. The resolution went
over under objection until tomorrow
To Raise the Maine.
4 resolution offered in the senate Fri
day by Senat tor Hale, appropriating $780,
600 for raising the battleship Maine and
saving what property could be saved, was
passed by the senate without objection, it
being amended so as to authorize the see
retarv to direct that the remains of the
officers and sailors be brought to the Unit
ed States for interment. Senator Mason
offered an amendment to the Allen resolu
ton, for an investigation of the Maine,
providing for a special committee to make
the investigation. Senator Hale asked
that the matter be not pushed. Senator
Mason. in reply, said it was evident that
facts in regard to Cuba We're being con-
ccaled from the people of the country and
from congress. He said the policy of the
government was delay, and nothing was
stopping the murder of the people of Cuba.
The De LONE matter had not stopped muir
ders The Maine disaster has not stopped
them Wolcott said war might come. In
fact it might not be far distant. But our
conduct must be such as to make us re-
spect ourselves and make nations respect
our position Senator Lodge said this was
q question which involved the death of
American seamen at Havana and that the
only way to get at the truth was through
the naval officers.
At the request of the secretary Of the
navy, Mr.. Boutelle, chairman of the naval
committee. asked the house to pass the
joint resolution appropriating 100000 for
raising the battleship Maine. Mr.. Bou-
telle said he had no infor1nation,' official
or otherwise. as to the cause of the Maine
disaster, but all information at hand tend
ed to strengthen the belief that it was an
accident. The resolution was adopted.
Bankruptcy Bill Passed.
After four days OF consideration the
house Saturday passed the bankruptcy
bill reported by the house committee on
Judiciary as a substitute for the Nelson
bill, passed by the senate at the extra ses-
sion last summer. The bill is known as
the Henderson bill and contains both vol
unta1y and involuntary features. 1t is
considered less drastic than the measure
passed by the last house by vote of l57
to 81.
Sundry Civil Bill.
The appropriation committee of the
house has agreed upon the sundry civil APP
preparation bill, and it was reported to
the house Monday. 1t appropriates $44,-
1888, being Sl3,234 ,54l less than the
regular and supplemental estimates, and
$s,S6l $50 less than the appropriations
for the current fiscal year An increase
of $25 900 is made to the general appro-
pration for coast survey work on ac-
count of the work to be done in Alaska.
An appropriation of $4,000 is made for
completing a coast survey steamer for
service in Alaska and the Aleutian isl
ands. and $4,000 for outfit.
The galleries were filled when the sen
ate convened. the crowd of spectators
doubtless being attracted by the probabil-
ity OF further debate upon Cuban at
! fairs or matters connected with the catas
! trophe to the battleship Maine. Senator
Hoar introduced a Joint resolution direct
ing the transfer of valuable historical
documents from the several departments
to the national library. Senator Allen in
troduced the following resolution: RE
solved, That the committee on naval at
fairs be, and is hereby, instructed to make
a thorough inquiry into the destruction
of the battleship Maine in Havana har
Dor on the 18th instant, and report to the
! senate The resolution was passed with
out a word Of debate. The senate the1
passed the house Joint resolution appro
priatine 100000 for the recovery of th'
Maine and it will now 60 to the presiden
for approval.
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