The record-union., 1898-04-22

nortation of Coal or Other War
Material, and the Volunteer
Army Bill Passed.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Three i'm
portant measures were passed by the
Senate this afternoon, all of which re-
late largely to the national defense
The sundry civil bill, which has been
pending for two weeks, and which car
ries a large amount of money intended
to be used in the strengthening OF the
country's coast defenses, was finally
passed.
The naval appropriation bill was i'm
mediately taken up and practlcally
completed, although pending the decls-
ion of an amendment, concerning the
price of armor plate, the bill was dis
placed in order that the measure tenn
porarily increasing the military estab
lishment 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 resolution was adopted giving
the President power to prevent the eX-
portation of coal and other war mate
rial.
Morrill, of Vermont secured the pas
sage of bill to restore to citizenship
to the United States of Mrs. Nellie
Grant -Sartoris, daughter of the late
President Grant.
Quay of PENNSYLVANIA introduced the
following resolution:
THAT the President is hereby au-
thorized at his discretion and with
such limitations and exceptions as shall
seem to him eXpedient, to prohibit the
export of coal or other material used
in war, from any seaport of the Unit
ed States until otherwise ordered by
Congress-
When the sundry civil bill was laid
before the Senate its consideration be-
ing by agreement under the five minute
rule. Money of Mississippi said he had
noticed in a morning paper that the
State Department had announced there
would, during the approaching war, be
no privateering by the United States,
and that this Government would abide
by the treaty of Paris, made in 1886
Il desire to inquire" said he, whether
any member of the Foreign Relations
Committee can inform the Senate if the
statement made in the newspaper is
true"
4 have heard nothing about the mat
ter" responded Davis, Chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, except
what L have seen in the newspapers"
Money, continuing, said that he could
not believe the President had taken
such action. But" he said, 'it is we'll
enough that the powers delegated to
the President be clearly defined here
and now. The power to issue letters
Of marque and reprisal belongs exclu-
sively to Cognress. Neither the United
States nor Spain is signatory to the
treaty of Paris; but in everything re-
lating to the rights of neutrals, the
United States has taken most advanced
ground. 1t was because the United
States took more advanced grounds
than other nations in this regard that
the United States did not become a
party to the Paris treaty"
Hoar interrupted Money to note that
this was an inopportune time to dis
cuss the question, as the Senate had no
knowledge that the President has ex-
ceeded his constitutional power.
Il desired to simply call attention to
the fact" said Money, las it was my
duty to do. but this proposition cannot
be tolerated by Congress, and 1 would
suggest to the Senators in the conf
dence of the President. that they sug-
gest to him the situation in Congress-"
A sharp fight was made upon the
two amendments of the committee to
that section of the bill relating to the
depredations on public lands and tim
ber. The amendments, however, were
finally agreed TO
The sundry civil bill, as amended,
was then passed.
The. naval appropriation bill was laid
before the Senate. The bill as it pass
ed the House carried $3S,014 ,05S. As it
was reported to the Senate it carries
SAC, ,2I7, ,55S.
Pending the consideration OF the ma
val bill, Hawley of Connecticut Chair
man of the Military Appropriations
Committee, called up the resolution in
troduced a few days ago and reintro-
duced to-day. relating to the exporta-
tion of coal and other war materials.
After so amending the discussion as to
enable the President, not only to lay,
but to raise the embargo, the resolution
was passed without division.
The reading of the naval bill was
then resumed and completed with its
amendments at 2:40 %. m
An amendment was added by the
committee providing that the Secretary
of the Navy may establish depots for
coal or other fuel for warships, and
appropriating $250,00 for that pur-
pose.
Perkins of California secured the
adoption of an amendment appropriat-
ing 500. coo for the reconstruction of
buildings destroyed recently by earth
quake at Mare Island navy yard, Cali
fornia.
Several minor amendments were
adopted.
AS the bill was about to pass, the ar
NOR matter was brought up. and it was
likely to lead to debate, Hawley
brought up the volunteer army bill.
which was considered by unanimous
consent.
Several amendments prepared by the