The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-22
Action Taken by Both Houses on a
Measure That VIII Cut or Sup
plies for the Enemy.
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL PASSED
MONEY VOTED FOR STRENGTHEN
ING THE COAST DEFENSES.
Right of the President to Promise Not
to Permit PrivateerinG Ques-
toned by Senator Money.
ld

WASHINGTON, April 21.-Three impor-
tant measures were passed by the Senate
this afternoon, all of which relate largely
to the national defense. The sundry civil
bill, which has been pending for two weeks,
and which carries large amount of money
intended to be used in the strengthening of
the countrys coast defenses, was finally
passed. The naval appropriation bill was
Immediately taken up and practically COM
pleted, although pending the discussion of
an amendment concerning the price of ar
NOR plate, the bill was displaced in order
that the measure temporarily increasing the
military establishment of the United States
in time of war might be considered. After
a long discussion the bill, as amended by
the committee, was passed. A joint resolu-
ton was adopted giving the President
power to prevent the expectation of coal
and other war material.
Just before adjournment it became known
among senator's on the floor that Senator
Walthan, of Mississippi, who has been i'll
for several weeks was dead. The formal
announcement of his death was not made.
but will be when the Senate convenes to-
morrow.
Mr. Morrill, secured the passage of bill
to restore to citizenship of the United States
Mrs Nellie Grant Sartoris, daughter of the
late President Grant.
Mr. Elkins secured the passage of a joint
resolution directing the secretary of war to
have a survey and estimate made for the
Improvement of the West Fork river, West
Virginia, by system of locks and dams.
Mr.. Quay introduced the following reso-
luton: THAT the President is hereby au-
thorzed in his discretion and with such linn
itatons and exceptions as shall seem to him
expedient, to prohibit the export of coal or
other material used in war from any sea-
port of the United States until otherwise
ordered by Congress-"
When the sundry civil bill was laid before
the Senate, it's consideration being by agree
ment under the flve-minute rule, Mr.. Money
said he had noticed in a morning paper the
statement that the State Department had
announced there would, during the APP
preaching war, be no privateering by the
United States. and that this government
would abide by the treaty Of Paris, made
in 1856. ST desire to inquire" said he,
whether any member of the foreign rela-
lions committee can inform the Senate if
the statement made in the newspapers is
true"
responded Mr.. Davis, chairman of the for
eign relations committee, except what L
have seen in the newspaper"
Mr.. Money, continuing said that he could
not believe the President had taken such
action. But" he said, 1T 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 be-
longs exclusively to Congress. Neither the
United States nor Spain is signatory to the
treaty of Paris, but in everything relating
to the rights of neutral, the United States
has taken most advanced ground. 1t was
because the United States took more adj
vanced ground than other nations in this
regard that the United States did not be-
come party to the Paris treaty"
Mr.. Hoar interrupted Mr.. Money to note
that this was an inopportune time to dis
cuss the question as the Senate had no
knowledge that the President had exceeded
to call attention to the fact, continued
Mr. Money, "as it was my duty to do, that
this proposition cannot be tolerated by Con-
gress and / would suggest to senator's in
| the confidence of the President that they
| suggest to him the situation in Congress-
A sharp fight was made upon the two
amendments of the committee to that sec
| ton of the bill relating to the depredations
on public lands and timber The amend
ments however, were finally agreed to-.
Mr. Morgan secured the adoption of an
amendment providing for the appropriation
| OF 900 for the maintenance of the chan
mel in Mobile harbor by dredging. The
sundry civil bill as amended was then
| passed.
The naval appropriation bill was laid be-
fore the Senate. The bill as it passed the
House carried $3S,014,05S. AS it was reported
to the Senate it carries $46 277, 55S.
Pending consideration of the naval bill
Mr.. Hawley, chairman of the military at
fairs committee, called up the resolution in
troduced few days ago and reintroduced
| to-day relating to the expectation of coal
IN 1p116-
ing the resolution as to enable the Presi-
dent not only to lay but to raise the en-
division
The reading Of the naval bill was resumed
and completed with it's amendments at 2:40
y. m. An amendment was added by the
committee providing that the secretary Of
the navy may establish depots for coal or
other fuel for war ships and appropriating
| $250OOO for that purpose.
| Mr. Perkins secured the adoption of an
| amendment appropriating $l0O000 for the re-
| construction of buildings destroyed recently
| by earthquake at Mare Island navy yard,
Cal. Several minor amendments were
| adopted.
| matter was brought up, and as it was likely
| to lead to debate, Mr. Hawley brought up
| the volunteer army bill, which was consid-
| cred by unanimous consent. The bill has
| been fully described in these dispatches to-
| gether with to-days amendments by the
| Senate military committee. Some other
| minor amendments were offered by Mr..
Hawley and agreed to;
Mr.. Bacon suggested that the bill be so
| amended as to provide that no man in the
militia service shall be compelled to enlist
| by the vote of the company OF which he is
| a member.
Mr. Hawley explained thai. nobody could
be forced to enlist as a volunteer in the
service Of the United States and there would
| be no practical difficulty in carrying into ef-
feet the provisions of the blu. He further
| explained that no member of a militia or
ganization could be forced to go out of the
country to perform service unless he should
volunteer for such service.
gested by Mr.. Bacon would be arranged by
the Governors Of States All Of the militia
men would not; o. YOUNGER Tor
ment would be compelled to enter the serv-
| ice although the great body of them would
| doubtless volunteer for the service
/ Mr. Faulkner said that the militia organi-
cations throughout the country thofoughly
| understood the matter as they had been