Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-03-11
Flr7Y-FlFTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

Washington, March AFTER a debate
lasting several days the senate passed the
7 bill extending the homestead laws and pro-
viding for right Of way for railroads In the
district of Alaska. Comparatively little
discussion Of general interest was created
by the bill
Two more appropriation bills were sent
to the president to-day the pension bill
and the consular and diplomatic, both of
which went through their Anal stage in the
house. This was private bill day. The
most important action taken was acquies-
ing in an agreement to make the bill apprO-
priating about 81 zoo, 900 for war claims ap-
proved by the court Of claims under the
provisions of the Bowman act special or
der for next Friday. The claims carried
by the bill, 80 in number, are for stores
seized during the war in the southern
states. r--
Washington. March 7-To-day's session
of the senate was devoted entirely to the
consideration of the District of Columbia
appropriation bill. ,..$}':s 81,
Chairman Cannon, Of the appropriations
committee, introduced bill entitled
Making appropriations for national de-
tense" as follows: There is hereby
appropriated out Of any money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated for
national defense and for each and every
purpose connected Herewith to be ex-
pended at the-fiscretion of the president
and remain available till June 80, 1899,
fifty million dollars 1t was referred to
the committee on appropriations. The bill
is the outcome of the conference at the
Whifo Hnnca this ypOrripcy af 1rhia1, fan.
non, Long, Dingley. Allison and Grosvenor
were present. The situation is considered
SO grave it was deemed imperative that an
immense appropriation Of this character
be made at once to prepare for national
defense By almost an unanimous vote
the Hawley bill, providing for two add.
tional regiments OF artillery, was passed
the democratic leader, pleaded for more !
time than the forty minutes allowed under
the rule. and because it was refused after
the bill had been passed he inaugurated q
flibuster against District of Columbia leg.
islation that continued all dav. Bailey de-
sired to speak in favor of the bill.
SENATE.
Washington, March s-After an ex-
tended discussion the District of Columbia
appropriation bill, containing provision
for the reduction of about one-haH of the
present rates of telephone charges in the
district, was passed. A message was re-
ceived from the house conveying to the
senate the bill appropriating t5O. 1ss, 900 for
The bill was laid before the senate and on
motion Of Allison referred to tAe. COM
mittee on appropriations.
HOUSE
The session was devoted to DEBATE Of the
bill appropriAting 1000, 900 for national
defense. 1t passed by unanimous vote.
While almost every member who spoke de-
precated the possibility of war, wide di.
of opinion as to how close were
hostilities, manifested itself in the debate
The general contention on both sides was
that this appropriation by preparing for
war would prove the surest guarantee OF
peace. Others insisted that wars alarms
would soon be heard, and Mann. of Illinois
declared that war actually existed in all
ave name.
SENATE.
Washington, March 9.-Hale reported
he house bill appropriating $50, DOC, 900 fo1
rational defense and asked its immediate
consideration. The bill passed without
lebate. Yeas and nays were taken on the I
;enting vote. All pairs were broken and
hose present voted y the affirmative.
senators ystsl for the bill ,
HOUSE.
The house devoted itself to routine bust,
less. The legislative, executive and
ndicial appropriation bill went through its
asst reading and the adoption of the final I
Onferenc e report, and the remainder OF
he day was consumed in the consideration :
t the senate amendments to the Indian ,,
preparation bill.
SENATE.
Washington. March 10.-The senate after :
short open session in which no business i
f Importance was transacted. went into .
xecutive session. after which adjournment
vas taken till Monday.
HOUSE.
After debate in the house which lasted I
more than five hours. the senate amend 4
aent to the Indian bill providing for free
omes on Indian lands was to-day nom ,
oucurred in by vote Of 80 to 1875.