Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-12-21
WORK Of CONGRESS

Washington, Dec. 12 - The feature
Of the opening day In the debate on
the currency bill in the house was the
speech of Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa. 1t
was characterized by all the wit and
eloquence for which the 1owan is
noted, and held the members without
regard to party for more than two
hours Mr.. Dolliver declared that the
last doubt of the Republican party as
to the wisdom Of enacting the gold
standard into law had been dissolved
by the experience Of the business
world during the past three years. He
scored NIr. Bryan and generally ridi-
culed the alleged prophecies of the
Democrats in 1896.
Mr.. De Almond of Missouri was the
heavy gun on the Democratic side. He
warned the Democrats from the West
that they could not deceive their con-
stituents in the coming election that
they had yielded to the Judgment OF
their colleagues in caucus.
Mr.. Overstreet opened the debate for
the Republicans and Mr.. Maddox OF
Georgia replied to him. Mr.. Mcclellan
of New York was the only other speak
er. He announced his opposition to the
tract the currency. 'eXtinguish the bank
notes and enhance the value of coin
bonds. He appealed to those of his
Democratic colleagues from New York
who. it is reported, intend to vote for
the bill, not to do so.
In the Senate.
An appeal by Mr. Mason for an eX-
preston of sympathy with the Souti.
II; TO ,1,if1,
Britain was the feature of the session
of the senate. 1t was the first formal
address made in the senate this session
and was the cause of close attention
by the senators and large gallery.
BY resolution Of Mr.. Lodge tine resolu
ton was referred to the committee ON
foreign affairs, Mr. Lodge considering
it too delicate a question in view Of
the position Of this government to be
passed upon without serious discus
sion. No business was transacted by
the senate and an early adjournment
was taken.
Washington. Dec. 12.-There is such
great pressure for time on the part of
members on both sides of the house
who desire to participate in the cur
rency debate that three night sessions
have been ordered. Interest in the de-
bate is not keen. judged by the at
tendance in the galleries. although the
members themselves are listening at
tentively to the speeches. Only one
Democrat thus far has spoken in favor
who announced that he had pledged
1t 1,of al 10 J,n
gold standard. and proposed TO redeem
several of his Brooklyn colleagues and
probably several others. The features
of the debate were the speeches of Mr..
Grosvenor of Ohio. for the bill and of
Mr.. Cochran of Missouri and Mr.. New
lands of Nevada. against il. The other
speakers were Messrs. Parker On. j.,
William Alden Smith NIich), Prince
0ll). Lawrence (Aiass.l and Powers
(Vt.), for the bill. and Mcssrs. Shaforth
(Colo.) and Sims (Tenn.) against it.
In the Senate.
Whether Admiral Dewey. acting for
the United States government. formal
ly or informally, recognized the Philip
pine republic at Manila. is a question
which Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota
desires the navy department to an
Swer. He introduced a resolution di-
recting the secretary of n" navy to
supply the senate with information on
the subject. but Mr.. Chandler of New
Hampshire objected to its immediate
considerations Following this objec-
ton Mr.. Pettigrew and Mr.. Chandler
had a sharp tilt over the resolution Of
fered the previous day by the former
demanding from the secretary of war
an explanation of certain charges
against Gen. Merriam in his conduct
of the Occur d'Aiene trouble. Politics
were injected into the controversy and
the personal references made by each
senator against the other lent some
livel!ness to an otherwise quiet session.
Washington. Dec. 1.-THE currency
debate in the house lasted from II
o'clock yesterday morning until 1890
last night. with a recess of three hours
for dinner. The pressure for time to
speak continues as most of the men,
bers desire to make contributions to
the literature of the occasion. Much
of it. however. seems to be for home
consumption. There has been very lit
tile cross-firing thus far and no eXcit-
ing or dramatic incidents. So far as
known twelve Democrats, eight from
New York, two from Pennsylvania and
one each from Maryland and Massa
chusetts will vote for the bill. The
speakers before the recess We're
Messrs. Fowler of New Jersey, Lacey
of Iowa. Cushman of Washington,
Hamilton of Michigan and Burton of
Ohio, Republicans. for the bill, and
Messrs. Brundige of Arkansas. Wheel
er of Kentucky. Bentine Of Missouri,
Fox of Mississippi. Pierce of Tennes-
see, SulZer of New York. Cowherd of
Missouri, Otey OF Virginia. Gaines of
Texas. Democrats, and Mr.. Bell of
Colorado, Populist against.it.
The house ADOPTED resolution for
a holiday recess from Wednesday.
Dec. 20. to Wednesday. Jan. 3. Mr..
Richardson, the minority leader, asked
that the house adjourn over Thursday
to give the members an opportunity
to participate in the Washington me-
mortal exercises, but Mr. Payne the
majority leader, objected, saying
George Washington, if alive. he