The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-12-22
AT WASHINGTON.

canal Dill IN the Senate, Thursday, pre-
venting even the taking of a vote on the
| question of postponement until after the
holidays, as had been intended. The
deficiency bill was passed after spirit
ed discussion, turning principally on the
| point of keeping the volunteer soldiers
in the service.
| Representative Burleigh introduced
in the House, Thursday, the bill pre-
pared by Adjutant Gen. John T.
Richards of Maine and Capt. G. g.
| Morton of the 9th United States infantry.
1t comprises twenty. three printed pages
and was referred to the House COM
mittee on militia, of which Mr.. Bur-
leigh will undoubtedly be the Repubi-
can member ranking next to the chair
man in the next Congress.
The pension appropriation bill was
passed without word of criticism, the
discussion being less than 20 minutes.
This is the shortest time on record for a
general pension bill. The bill carries
| $145, 233, $50
President Mckinley, before leaving
| for the South signed an executive order
| establishing customs tariff for Cuba,
| to go into effect Jan l., next. This
tariff is based upon the report and re.
| Communications made by Hon. Robert p.
| Porter special commissioner of the
| United States who was sent to Cuba for
| the purpose of making an investigation
| of the subjects of revenue and customs
| of the island
Chairman Loud of the House COM
mittee on post offices and post roads,
has reintroduced the bill relating to
second class mail matter and known as
the Loud bill, with an amendment
| allowing the mailing of sample copies
of newspapers at one.half cent for every
two ounces, stamps being attached in
advance.
The Senate had busy day, Monday,
| and there were several important
speeches. Mr.. Platt of Connecticut,
spoke against the Vest resolution which
declares that the United States has no
power to acquire territory. He said
| that the power of the nation to acquire
was as inherent as its sovereignty. The
United States had the right to govern
such territory in the best possible
manner until the people OF the acquired
islands were capable of self-government.
Mr.. Proctor of Vermont, and Mr.. Hale
of Maine, exchanged divergent views
upon the subject of commission of
senators to visit Cuba. Mr. Proctor
thought such commission was neces-
sary, while Mr.. Hale said he thought it
would be in extremely bad taste and
useless.
The Nicaragua canal bill was up
during the last part of the day and
Senators Berry, Allen, Hoar Gallery
and Morgan discussed the measure.
mi II
centennial celebration of the city of
Washington as the capital of the nation
as follows: Hoar, Hale, Perkins, Simon,
MoLaurin, Clay and Turley.
Hale from the conference committee
on the urgency deficiency appropriation
bill, presented the conference report on
the bill and it was agreed to.
The Senate Monday, confirmed these
nominations: A. NJ. Tinker of Massa-
chusetts, Indian inspector; d. P. Mordy,
collector of customs at Wiscasset, Me. :,
G. f Smally, collector of customs, Nan
tucket, Mass; K. II. Wilson, collector of
customs, Providence, r |.
In the House, Dingley, from the com
mittee on ways and means offered the
resolution for holiday recess from
Wednesday, Dec. q, to Wednesday,
Jan. 4, and it was adopted without
division.
Monday, was suspension day in the
House aud several bills were passed, the
most important of which was the bill
appropriating $780, 900 for the Philadel-
phia Exposition for 1899. The vote was
exceedingly close. Bills were also pass
ed under suspension of the rules to
authorize the distribution of the assets
of the Freedman's Bank, to enlarge the
scope of the fish commission to include
game birds, for the relief of the 4th
Mounted Arkansas Infantry and for the
relief of John w. Lewis of Oregon.
Both houses devoted some time Tues
day to discussion of the expansion of
territory issue.
In the House the agricultural appro
priation bill was passed without
material amendment. 1t carries So, &c.,,
322 or $187, 120' more than the current
law and several resolutions from the
river and harbor committee calling upon
the secretary of war for estimates as to
the list of certain proposed river and
harbor work were adopted.
A protest signed by ex queen Liliuo-
kalani against the assertion of owner
ship by the United States of the lands in
Hawaii known as crown lands amount
ing to about 100000 acres, was pre-
sented.
There was au informal discussion in
the Senate committee on naval affairs,
Tuesday, of the suggestion of the navy
department for the increase OF the navy.
The question was raised by Senator
Hanna, who advanced the opinion that
for the present additions to the navy
should be limited to the annual require
ments. Other Senator'S concurred.
Senator Butler of No. Carolina, has
given notice OF an amendment he will in
reduce to the pension appropriation
bill pensioning ex-Confederate soldiers.
This bill applies thu pension laws now in
force to ex-Confederates their dependent
child or widow the same as to Union
soldiers of the civil war. The claims
under this bill toll ecome operative on the
passage of the bill and not authorize
back pensions.
The cabinet decides to muster out
$4,000 volunteers at an early date.
The last session of both branches
previous to the holiday recess WAS held
: ednesday. The attendance was very
slim In either branch, and they adjourn
ed until January 4th.
Throughout christendom during the
present week people have used all their