The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-05-14
FIFTY-FLFTH CONGRESS.
SOME IMPORTANT MEASURES WERE
PASSED.
Post Office Appropriation Bill Passes the
Senate.--Income Tax Bill Discussed-.-No
More Appropriations for Rural Free De-
livery...ShOrt But Active Sessions.
SENATE.

passed by the senate today. Probably
the most important one was the emer-
gency war deficiency bill, carrying
$35, 720,945 The passage OF bill
providing for the enlistment of vol
unteer brigade Of engineers, and OF
10000 men in the South who are i'm
mune to yellow fever was secured.
These enlistments are to be in addl-
tion to those provided for in the pres
ident's call for $4,000 volunteers.
The senate, at o'clock, under the or
der previously made, adjourned until
Wednesday.
WEDNEsDAY--Quite unexpectedly a
sharp debate was precipitated in the
senate today on the income tax propo-
sition. The resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution OF the
United States relating to the success
sion to the presidency was under dis
cussion. Mr.. Mills, of Texas, pro-
posed an amendment in the form Of
new section intended to authorize con-
gress to lay Tux on certain incomes IN
such form as to meet the requirements
of the decision Of the supreme court.
He was sharply criticised for endeav-
oring to place such rider on resolu-
ton which practically all senators ia
vored, but stood his ground and in
sisted upon vote on his amendment.
The amendment was defeated to
20. At 1886 pm. the senate went into
executive session, and at 5 o'clock ad-
journed.
THURsDAY.-During almost the en-
tire session to-day the senate had un-
der consideration the postoffice appro-
priation bill. The measure carried
$6O,224, 300, being very much the heavi-
est of all the appropriation bills. The
most important action taken upon the
measure was the adoption Of an amend
ment reducing the number Of deliver
les of mail in all cities of the country
to number not exceeding four each
day. A lively debate was precipitated
by an amendment of the committee
striking out the appropriation of $780,
900 for rural free delivery. By the
close vote of twenty-five to twenty-five,
the committee was sustained and the
bill now carries no appropriation for
such delivery. Just before adjourn
ment the senate passed an important
war measure authorizing the president
and other general officers of the army
to supply the Cuban insurgents with
arms and munitions of war and empow-
cred officers of the army serving in
Cuba to supply needy inhabitants OF
the island with medicines and subsist-
ence. The senate at 5:25 pm, went
into executive session and shortly after
wards adjourned.
FRIDAY-One war measure was pass
ed by the senate today. It was bill
to increase to fifteen the number of
surgeons in the United States army
and to authorize the secretary Of war
to employ as many contract surgeons
as be might deem necessary. Almost
the entire session was consumed by a
discussion of an amendment to the
postofice appropriation bill providing
for reduction Of 20 per cent. in the
compensation Of railroads for the
transportation of mails. The amend
ment was still pending when the SEN
ate adjourned till Monday.
MoNDAY.-The passage Of the emer.
gency war appropriations bill was the
feature of today's action by the house,
The naval appropriation bill with the
senate amendment providing for the
payment Of officers of the navy for the
use of their inventions by the govern.
ment, stricken out, was reported from
conference and passed. It next goes
to the president. At 4:32 pm. the
house adjourned.
TuEsDAY.-What promised to be al
uneventful and uninteresting session o.
the house was thrown suddenly, after
three hours consideration of private
bills, into q session of spirited speech
making among Democratic members
that savored at times of acrimony.
Many personal reproaches were in.
dulged in and heated discussions over
party actions characterized the day.
At 5 o'clock the house took q recess
until s o'clock. The night session
was devoted to passing pension bills.
WEDNEsDAY.-The house today
adopted the conference report upon
the Notifications bill. The remainder
of the session was consumed with the
consideration Of the Alaskan land bill
and q section for the repeal Of an act
prohibiting the passage of importa.
tons in bond through the territory OF
the United States into the free zone
of Mexico. The latter was passed,
but the Alaskan measure went over.
Adjournment was taken at 4:20 pm.
THuRsDAY.-The house today dis.
posed of two important measures.
The Alaskan land bill, extending the
homestead laws to and providing for
certain railway routes in the district
of Alaska, as amended by the senate
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