The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-12-21
Congressional Proceedings,

congressional proceedings,
WEDNESDAY,, Dec. I'm the Senate the
Nicaragua canal was discussed at some
length, but no definite action was taken.
Other questions discusse1 were the govern
ment's pension policy and the bill regard
ing the registry Of foreign built vessels
wrecked on American coasts Mr.. Harris
in speaking upon the Nicaragua canal bill
said he considered the Panama canal as en-
tirely imprsc ical The Clay Bulwer
treaty formed the basis OF brief speech by
Mr.. Money. He advocated delay in order
to afford opportunity for negotiation look
ing to the abrogations of the treaty. Mr..
Money said we should at least notified
Great Britain that we desire a modification
of the treaty as the first step. In this con-
necton Mr. Money referred to the entente
cordiale existing between this country and
England saying he wanted to see the two
nations brought even closer together than
now. Hence the importa ace and propriety
of dealing fairly and above board in the
matter. - The House refused to con-
slider the Lodge immigration bill. AT the
last session an attempt was made to take 1t
from the speakers table, but it was defeat
ed by large majority. Mr.. Danforth OF
Ohio, chairman Of the immigration commit
tee, thought the bill would be stronger af-
ter the elections were over but to-day when
he tried again to secure consideration, the
House declined 100 to 1903 to take 1t up
An interesting debate on the rules was
precipitated by Mr. Grow Of Pennsylvania,
during which Mr.. DeArmond OF Missouri
made a speech on the cadence OF the
privileges of debate in the House and held
Speaker Reed responsible for the fact that
the House had no opportunity to adopt a
new system of rule at this session. The
speaker replied with a sarcastic speech in
which he referred to the complaints OF
John Randolph in the early days of the GEN.
TINY to hnx hat no ma n an pal
were made then that were being made to-
day.
THURSDAY, Dec. 10 Senator Holr intro
duced a bill in the Senate rendering the
thanks of Congress to Miss Clara Barton
and the Red Cross society for services rem
dered United States soldiers during the late
war. Senator Hoar also presented large
number Of petitions against the expansion
policy. The Senate passed the urgent de.
ticiency bill after spirited discussion. A
resolution was introduced by Senator Proc
tor providing for the appointment OF a COM
mitee # five Senator'S to visit Cuba and
Porto Rico to enquire into the military re-
quirements necessary TO establish and main
tain order in those islands until civil gov
eminent is inaugurated." The committee
is also to report upon the existing condi-
tions in the island. - The House sur
passed all previous record in the expedi-
tious manner in which it passed the pension
by has been one of the most fruitful them 80
of acrimonious PARTISAN debate, but, to-day,
although carrying 81 Goo, 900 more than the
act for the current year, it was passed in
twenty minutes without a word of criticism.
The House then entered upon the consider
alton Of the bill to incorporate the interna-
tional American bank, This project was
recommended by the an-American Con-
gross in 1889.
. Mr.. Cox of Tennessee, the ranking min
GRITTY member of the banking and currency
committee, opposed the bill, taking the
ground that it con emplated the creation of
gigantic monOpolstic banking corporation
Congress- he argued had no power to char
ter a corporation to do business beyond the
limits of the United States Mr.. Walker OF
Massachusetts, chairman of the banking
and currency committee, supported the
bill. He argued that the establishment of
an international bank would reduce the
price of exchange. Mr.. jenkins of Wiscon-
sin, opposed the bill, claiming that Con-
gress had no power to create such bank as
it contemplated.
FRIDAY, Dec. 16.-But very little business
was transacted in the Senate. AT meet
ing OF the Senate committee on privileges
and elections the charge OF bribery against
Senator Hanna made by the Ohio State
Senate in connection with the Senator's
election to his present term OF office was
briefly discussed and referred to a sub
committee, consisting oil Senators Hoar,
Spooner and Turley The subcommittee
will investigate the question and practically
decide how far it is necessary to go into the
matter. The charges were filed during the
last session OF Congress but have not been
pressed by their author.
The bill TO incorporate the international
bank was killed in the House, and the bill
to extend the customs Of revenue laws OF
the United States over the Hawaiian is
lands was passed without opposition. The
bill, Mr.. Dngley explained, carries with it
the civil service laws relating to appoint
ments in the citizens and revenue service
in Hawaii. The Senate amendments to the
army and navy deficiency bill were nom
concurred in and the bill sent to conference.
Messrs. Cannon, Barney and Sayras were
appointed conferees. Mr.. Dingey then
called up the bill unanimously reported by
the ways and means committee on Thursday
to extend the customs and internal rev.
enue laws over the Hawaiian islands. Mr..
Dingley explained the necessity for the i'm
mediate passage OF the act in order to pro-
tect the revenues of the United States.
Chairman Loud of the House committee on
post-ofiice and post roads re-introduced the
bill relating to second class matter and
known as the Loud bill with an amend
ment, allowing the mailing of sample cop
les of newspapers at one half cent for every
two ounces, stamps being attached in adj