Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-06
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-
WASHINGTON April 6
SENATE.

An audience tnat tested the full ca
pacity of the accommodations had filed
the galleries hours before the Senate
convened. Members OF the families of
the most prominent men in American
public life were there, and representa-
tives of the several foreign legations oc.
cupid the diplomatic gallery. In the
private gallery sat Mrs. John A. Logan
Accompanying her was Miss Cisneros
her ward, who was rescued from a
Spanish prison where she had been in
generated for allegiance to the cause of
the Cut an insurgents. In the diplo.
matte gallery was Sir Julian Paunceiote
the ambassador of Great Britain. It
was the first time he hsd been in the
Senate since the inaugu alton of Nc
Kinley and at that time he occupied q
seat on the floor of the Senate.
Seats in the executive gallery had
been reserved for party from tie
White House but their occupants were
late in coming.
The consideration of the sundry civil
bill was resumed.
When that part of tho bill providing
that no part of the appropriation for
Howard University, in this city, should
be used for the theological depsrtment
was reached, Mr.. Haw!ey interrupted
the reading. He said that everywhere
the United States recognized that there
was God. Such recognition is made
in the Senate and House every day and
the warships and army posts OF the IA
ton have their chsplains. He desired
therefore to know whether this proyis-
ion prohibited religious instruction at
the university.
Mr.. Allison explained that it in no
manner interfered with religious in.
struction, but no part of the appropri.
alton could be used in support OF the
theological department..
At 100 Mr.. Davis, chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, moved
that the Senate 60 into executive ses-
sion. Division was demanded and The
Votes to 11-disclosed the absence OF
q quorum.
A call of the Senate was then request
ed. While this was proceeding the
hundreds in the galleries awaited the
action of the Senate with almost breath.
less interest, as all realized that after
waiting for hours to hear the message
read in the Senate they were likely
now to be disappointed. The call OF
the Senate indicated the presence of -
Senator's.
Mr.. Mills expressed the hope that
the call for the yeas and nays upon the
motion of Mr.. Davis would be witt
drawn and that the Senate might with.
out division go into executive session.
On viva voce vote the motion pre-
vailed and the Vice President at l.51
p. M, ordered the galleries cleared.
Eight minutes afterward the Senate
resumed legislative business in open
session. AS soon as it became noised
about the corridors that the galleri,s
were again open tremendous rush Up
the stairways began and few minutes
afterward the galleries were again
nearly filed. Hundreds, however,
tired and disappointed, had already let.
the Capitol.
The consideration OF the sundry civil
bill was resumed.
HOUSE.
There was q general understanding
upon the floor soon after the House as
sembled that the message would not be
sent to Congress probably until O'Clock
and the members settled in their
seats to await with what patience they
could for it to appear. In the packed
galleries this fact was not known and
they momentarily expected its appear
ance. AS the families Of many Of the
members could not obtain admission to
the galleries Mr.. Bailey asked il the
Speaker could entertain request that
the members be permitted TO bring
their families upon the floor. The
Speaker answered in the negative. The
rule strictly prohibited him from enter
tanning such request.
1t having been arranged last Friday
that the army reorganization bill should
be special order for to-day mot to in
terfere with report from the commit
tee on foreign affairs) the Speaker re
cognized Mr.. Hull, chairman of the mil
itary affairs committee, to call it up.
A wrangle followed as to whether the
bill should be considered ii committee
of the whole or in the House and as to
the limits of the debate. Mr.. Dinghy
and Mr. Bailey and others participated
in the sparring. 1t was finally agreed
that the bill should be considered in The
House, but all efforts to arrange limit
upon the debate failed, owing to the
objection of Mr.. MARSH, who is one Of
the most bellicose members upon the
floor.
Mr. Hull explained the features and
purposes of the bill aud the advantages
Of the proposed three battalion forma-
lion. Our present formation, he said,
was absolutely obsolete, and it would
BE murder to require the army of the
United States to go into battle und'r
The present law. The deadly characte.
Of modern firearms made an open for.
nation absolutely necessary.
Mr., Marsh followed Mr.. Hull.
He endorsed the main features OF the
Dill but expressed his opinion that no
captain could handle company Of 30
men under the new formation. The dc
Rate drifted along with considerable
ange many members participating.
Mr.. Lacey aroused the first ouburst
IT applause from members and ga
cries when he said that be
egretted that war seemed inevi-
able but that one good thing
you'd come out of it. The regiment OF
he State OF Georgia would vie with