Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-09
WORK OF CONGRESS

Washington, March IA frenzy Of
bill passing was on the senate yestcr-
day. The bills passed were principally
public building measures, and at times
during the day and night the scenes in
the senate We're remarkable Senators
usually calm and dignified sticklers for
order and decorum in the senate. clam
orad for passage of bills providing for
the erection Of government buildings
in which they were interested. Late
IN the afternoon n batch of such
measures passed by the house was re-
ceived by the seuatosr Instantly con-
fusion reignod. Senators crowded
about the clerks desk and began to
sort over the bills from the house.
picking them out as they found thcir
own, as If they were choosing valen.
tines from bargain countpr In the
area in front Of the president of the
senate Il half-doZen senator's were
waving bills and endcavOring to obtain
recognition. The unusual procedure
called forth protest from Senator
Plat Of Connecticut. who demanded
that senators take their seats ana or
der he restored. Al times throughout
the sessions Of the day and night the
scenes were repeated as more building
bills were reported from the house.
Bills carrying an aggregate of eight or
ten millions Of dollars were passed and
many more that had not been passed
by both houses of congress were
placed ms amendments on the Sundry
civil appropriation bill Finally. at
late hour the amendment TO the Sundry
civil bill was adopted providing for
nearly S4,HO.OOo for preliminary work
on buildings that had been authorized.
The sundry civil bill was passed after
1t had been under consideration
throughout the day and night.
The House.
The house spent practically the en-
tire time of the seven hours session
passing the public building bills favor
ably acted upon by the committee OF
the whole ten days ago. The opposl-
ton sought in vain to consume time by
roll calls and other filibustering tactics
at various times, but their numbers
were so slim that in no case could they
secure roll call. Al last their efforts
to Impede the passing of the bills was
abandoned and they were passed with
great rapidity. Sixty-one bills in all
were passed. carrying S9,352,OOO. The
conference report upon the postottice
appropriation bill agreeing 10 the sen
ate anlendment making an appropria-
ton for the southern mail subsidy was
adopted.
Washington. March .. Tire last
lingering possibility OF an extra ses-
sion Of congress disappeared yester-
army reorganization bill. Very con-
siderable and vigorous opposition 10
the acceptance of the senate bill was
voiced on both sides of the hall, and
for time il appeared possible that
the bill would not secure the necessary
two-thirds TO pass it under suspension
of the rules. But the Republican lead
erS, Messrs. Henderson, Grosven0r and
Cannon came to its support on the Re
publican side. and Mr. Bailey, the
Democratic leader, threw the weight
Of his influence in fayor of 1t on the
Democratic side, arguing that it pro-
vided for only temporary increase of
the army, which would be made per-
manent If congress were convened in
extra session. Another big element In
the vote was Mr.. IiulPs recital of a
statement made by the president to
him that he would not construe Sec
ton II as authority 10 conscript the
minority in volunteer organizations
which should elect TO remain In the
service. The bill passed-203 to 32.
1t now goes TO the president.
The decks were also cleared Of many
other important matters. The de-
ficiency appropriation bill, carrying
S21 .0S9,000. was passed under suspen-
sion Of the rules. without word OF
criticism. This Is the last of the ap-
preparation bills. The senate amend
ments TO the river and harbUr bill were
non -concurred in and II was sent to
conference. the friends of the Near
aqua canal amendment having decided
to postpone their fight until the con.
ference report. The conference reports
on the omnibus claims bill. the naval
personnel and many other less impor-
tant measures We're agreed to. The
senate bill making Dewey n full ad-
miral was passed. The bill now goes
to the president for his signature.
The senate.
The senate Is rapidly clearing its
desks for final adjournment. The
naval appropriation bill. which ordi-
narily consumes the time of the SEN
ate for several days. was passed after
less than five hours debate. In that
time, however. II was amended rad
icaily in one respect The price to be
paid by the government for armor
plate was fixed in the bill al $500 a
ton. q reduction of the amount fixed
by the house Of S145 a ton. In addt-
ton the secretary OF the navy was au-
thorized In the event Of the refusal of
the armor plate companies to supply
armor plate at $500 a ton. to proceed
to the construction Of an armor fac
tory to cost $l,5O00OO, and placing in
the secretary's control S2.o00Noo with
which TO operate the government
| plant. The fight for these amend
ments was led by Mr.. Tillman. who
made characteristically sensational
speech in support OF the propositions.
The senate adopted resolutions of re-
gret at the death Of Lord Herschell.
and concluded the days session by
pronouncing eulogies upon the late