The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-03-30
CONGRESS.
Senate.

In the Senate Monday Mr.. Bacon
(Defn.. Ga.) gave notice Of an amend
ment which he intended to offer to the
Joint resolution for the annexation Of
the Hawaiian islands. It provides that
the Joint resolution shall not be opera
tive and Of binding effect, either on the
United States or on the republic Of
Hawaii, until II has been consented to
and approved by q majority OF the
electors OF the Hawaiian lslands-al1
male natives over 21 years old, and all
male naturalized foreigners entitled to
vote; the time and manner Of the cleo
tion to be prescribed by the president
Of the United States.
A feature Of the Senate proceedings
Tuesday was an extended speech BY
Mr.. Cahery Ua.) in support Of the
pending National quarantine BILL Mr.
Caffery said the United States Govern
ment was the only authority which
could make a quarantine effective. and
he added that he was as staunch
States rights advocate as any man.
State quarantines were, he said, utter
ly powerless against an epidemic OF
yellow fever. Mr.. Carter (Mont.) OF
the committee on territories, in calling
up the measure making further pro-
visions for a civil government Of Alas
ka, said the committee had not deemed
IL wise to provide for a legislative as
sembly for Alaska on account OF the
romadic character Of the inhabitants
and the vast extent of the district.
Mr.. Hale, chairman of the naval
senate committee. called up for passage
In the senate the Maine relief bill. and
II was passed without word of debate
by a unanimous vote last wednesday.
An amendment to the sundry civil
bill is pending before the senate COM
mittee on appropriations appropriating
$3.50, 900 to furnish supplies to the desti-
tstta 80 ho
Thursday Senator Thurston delivered
a speech on the Cuban situation.
House.
After various corrections had been
made in the record, Chairman Boutelle.
of the naval affairs committee, called
up in the House Monday the bill for
the relief of the sufferers by the de-
struction of the United States steamer
Maine in the harbor Of Havana. Cuba"
II reimburses the survivors for losses
of personal effects; gives heirs OF those
who perished sum equal to IL months
pay, not, however. to interfere with the
right to pensions.
The naval appropriation bill was re-
ported to the House Tuesday, carrying
a total OF sS5, 5,6S3,05S. an increase over
last year of 50. .764 ,432 and over the cur
rent estimates of $2.514.s24. For the In
crease of the navy the bill allows to be
constructed by contract three sea-go-
ing coast-line battleships, designed to
carry the heaviest armor and most
powerful ordnance. displacement ll0O0
tons, with the highest practicable speed
for their class, to cost, exclusive OF ar
mament, not exceeding $4,000, 900 each,
one to he named the Maine; six torpedo
boats, $50 tons displacement, and six
torpedo-boat destroyers. about $50 tons
displacement, to cost not exceeding
s2.340,0 000 and one gunboat to take the
place of the United States Steamship
Michigan, to cost, exclusive OF arma-
ment, not over s260000 to be built on
the great lakes. One of these sea going
battleships Is to be built on the Pacific
coast.
The army reorganization bill was
adopted unanimously by the House
committee Thursday on military ar
fairs, and II was subsequently reported
to the House. In passing upon the
measure the committee has disposed of
a significant point as to the Presidents
functions in war time in allowing the
establishment OF the third-battalion
war formation only upon the declara-
tion of war by Congress or declara-
ton that war exists. The committee
in its report cites official reports as
showing the increase of the commits
stoned force of the line of the army
needed to change 1t from a peace to
war footing, and puts the enlisted
strength at 104. 3S4 men, an increase Of
1884 men, an equivalent to 66 regi-
ments of volunteers of 1900 men each,
the pay aggregating s4.92S.S00. To Of
ficer the same number Of troops under
the provisions of this bill in time Of
war would cost s1,07s.600 This. the
committee concludes. effects a saving
in organization OF s3s50.2 200 per year.
Gen. Wheelock of Alabama Friday
introduced in the house a bill provid-
ing that In the event Of an act of war
being committed by Spain or any other
foreign nation prior to the meeting OF
the next session Of congress, the presi-
dent of the United States Is hereby
authorized to accept tenders Of volun-
teer troops. to purchase arms and mu-
nitions of war. to equip troops for ac-
tive service. organize sucn troops un-
der brigades. divisions and armies for
active service, appoint necessary gem
eral, staff and other officers, except
such field and company officers as may
have already been selected or may
hereafter be selected by proper au-
thority, and do any other act neces-
sary to the safety Of the country. or
any part thereof. and to protect It's
honor and prestige" The second sec
tion appropriates the necessary money
to carry out the provisions of the act