The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-03-19
FIFTY-FIF'rH CONGRESS-.
THE $50,000,000 NATIONAL DEFENSE
BILL PASSES BOTH HOUSES.
Bill for Relief Of the Methodist Church,
South, Passed-.-various Appropria ton
Bills Discussed and Portion Disposed
Of...CroWded Galleries Applaud.
SENATE.

Ols'.OIOWutN OuAlcEASo iAvpAANNs
SENATE.
MoNDAY--Today's session Of the SEN
ate was devoted entirely to oonsidera.
ton OF the District OF Columbia ap-
preparation bill. At the hour Of ad
journment the bill had not been dis
posed Of and its discussion will con.
tinue tomorrow.
TuEsDAY-To.day's session of the
senate was largely devoted to the con.
sideration of the District of Columbia
appropriation bill. The bill appro-
printing $2S. 900 for the relief of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of
Tennessee, was then passed after a
brief debate. A message was received
from the house conveying to the sen
ate the bill appropriating $50, 1873, 900
for national defense just passed by the
house, The bill was laid before the
senate and, on motion Of Mr.. Allison,
Of Iowa, referred to the committee on
appropriations, after which the senate
adjourned.
WEDNEsDAY.-With enthusiasm, fer
vor and promptness almost unparalleled
in the senate in time of peace, that no.
body to- day passed the emergency
appropriation bill carrying $1S3, 100000
of deficiencies and placing ct the dispo'
sal OF the president $50, 100000 for
national defense. The vote by which
the measure passed was unanimous.
Seventy-six short, sharp and emphatic
speeches were delivered in favor of the
bill, every one being simply ringing
"aye," during the roll call upon the
passage of the measure. Not only did
every senator present register his vote
in favor OF the bill but for every absent
member the authoritative announce
ment was made that if he were present
he would vote aye. Twelve minutes
after the bill was reported to the SEN
ate the rice-president announced its
unanimous passage. The great work
was accomplished so quick that most OF
the people who crowded the galleries
scarcely realized TINT the measure, so
far as congtess was concerned, had be-
come law. Some of the spectators
fully grasped the meaning Of the SEN
ate's action and when the announce
ment of the vote was mado o murmur
of applause ran through the galleries.
THURsDAY.-No business of real i'm
portance was transacted by the senate
in open session to-day. The session
lasted barely on hour, the time being
largely consumed in disposiug OF rou
tine morning business, A few bills o
minor importance were passed. I'm
senate at o'clock went into executive
session and at 3:05 adjourned unit
Monday.
MoNDAY-The spirit Of patriotism wa
rampant in the house to day and b.
almost an unanimou s vote the Hawle.
! bill, providing for two additional regi
ments of artillery passed under auspen
sion of the rules. Mr.. Hull, in open
ing tho debate, explained briefly tn
necessity for these men to man tn
coast defenses of the country. q
= July LIST, he said, 244 big guns an
232 mortars would be mounted, Ats j
all. The guns required IS men eac
m handle them and in time of wa
sixty. There were but LOIS artiller
men all told in the service. The CUR
employed July 1 would require 100
!. regulars in any exigtncies that mlgf
arise. Even if no exisencies arot
these men, be insisted, would be nece
sary to care for the Notifications an
- guns upon which We were e1pendlr
millions of dollars. The charge
this bill was an attempt 10 increase tt
standing army; to be used possibly
a overawe the citizens, he said he CO.
sidered too frivolous to discuss.
TuEsDAY-In spirit Of patriotism
with eloquent words ringing in the
ears, every member of the house
I'd representatives today responded to Il
presidents first call to meet the Spa
- ish situation by casting his vote for
bill placing in President Mcklnle:
hands $5o,OOO,OO to be expended
his discretion for the national dcfen
Party lines were swept away and witt
unanimous voice congress voted
confidence in the ADMINISTRATION. L
scene of enthusiasm which greeted
announcement of the vote-ayes 3;
r. nays none-has seldom been parallel
in the house. All day the CALLER
we're jammed with enthusiastic spec
tors app!auding the patriotism OF
,pt words of eloquence which were utter
by the members on the floor.
speeches were all brief. Altho'
four hours wero allowed for debate,
great was the pressure for time that