The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-02-10
CONGRESSIONAL DoINGs.
The Closing Sessi0n OF tho Memorable
Fifty-Fifsh Mt WORK on Legislation
Affecting the Nation.

For q time In the senate on the 1st Il looked
as if q vote would be taken on one or more Of
the resolutions relating to expansion that were
pending. but as 1t seemed evident that the vote
could not be taken before two oclock-tAe hour
for the senate to go into executive session on
the peace treaty-Senator Bacon (Ga) asked
for unanimous consent that q vote be taken at
1880 o'clock the next day. To this request
Senator Carter lMon.) objected and the whole
question was left suspended Senator Raw.
Inns (Utah) then addressed the senate upon the
Vest anti-expansion resolution In the execu-
tive session Senator Teller (Col) made
speech in support of the treaty and Senator
HOar Mass spoke in opposition 80. The house
entered upon the consideration OF the river
and harbor bill and before adjournment had
completed 50 Of the SO pages OF the bill 1t ap-
propriates directly about s12 $4,000 and au-
thorizes contracts to the extent of s18. 0O0 OG0
additional Mr. Hepburn la made speech
in opposition to the measure
SENATOR SPooNER (Wis) spoke for three
hours in the senate on the I'd. He discussed
the question OF expansion in all its phases and
urged the ratification Of the peace treaty. He
was several times interrupted by Senator Till.
man Is c. asking questions the latter senator
declaring at one time that he would not vote
for the treaty because, as Senator SOONER adj
mitted. the l0.W 5000 people of the Philippines
could take the first ship to America and enter
into competition with American labor The
executive session held after Senator Spooner's
speech was only a continuation of the debate in
open session. 80. The river and harbor bill was
passed by the house by the large majority OF
100 tot It carries little more than 80, OOO.-
0C0 resolution was introduced that the
United States flag on all government buildings
should ALWAYS be displayed at half on
February Is in memory Of the destruction of
the battleship Maine A bill was also intro
duced to repeal the law which prevents an ex-
confederate soldier from litting IN federal
grand or petit jury.
In the senate on the Sd arguments were
made in opposition to expansion and in OPPOSE
ton to the ratification OF the peace treaty,
Senators Money (MisS) and Daniel Va)
being the speakers Senator Harris (kan.)
offered a resolution disclaiming any intention
of the United States to permanently hold the
Philippine islands 1t was laid on the table at
his request Senator Baker (kan) introduced
q bill changing the place for holding court in
the central district of the Indian territory
from Cameron to Poteau 80. Most OF the time
OF the house during its session Of three hours
was taken up in flibustering against relief
bills on the private calendar. the flibuster be-
ing successful and the house adjourning with
out taking up any Of the bills The Conference
report upon the diplomatic and consular ap-
preparation bill was agreed to- Mr. Curtis
tkan.) reported favorably from the commit
tee bill to put IN force in the Ind ian territory
certain laws Of Arkansas relating to corpora
tions. The Curtis bill providing for legisla-
ton touching railroad right-of-way through
the Indian territory was also reported favor
ably
SENATOR ALLEN (Neb) offered In the senate
on the 4th resolution that the senate. in
ratifying and confirming the treaty of Paris
does not commit itself or the government to
the doctrine that the islands acquired bv the
war OF Spain are to be annexed or to become a
part of the United States He gave notice that
ne would speak on the resolution on the 9th.
An address was then made by Senator Chiffon
against the annexation Of the Philippine
islands. He was followed by Senator
Wolcott Col J. who urged the ratification of
the treaty on moral and patriotic grounds An
executive session was then taken. -. The mill
tary academy appropriation bill was passed by
the house. It carries s6l81Z The exercises
for the formal acceptance OF the statues of
Benton and Blair gift from the state of
Missouri took place and Congressman Dockery
mo }, Champ Clark MOI aud others made
eloquent addresses about the dead statesmen
THE senate ON the 9th ratified the treaty Of
peace by a vote Of 81 yeas to q nays In ad-
vance Of the voting speeches were made by
Senators Ross W., Money miss and Fair
banks und.). After the ratification OF the
treaty an effort was made to adopt the joint
resolution offered by Senator McEnery La.
declaring a policy for the Philippines, but the
debate occupied so much time that the resolu-
ton went over 90. The house passed the census
bill by vote OF l47 to IL The sundry civil bill
was then reported. number of minor bills were
also pas Sed. The committee on public build
ings reported favorablv the Curtis bill appro.
priatng fl0o '0J for the extension of the public
building at Topeka Kan The public building
Tor Kansas City. Kan. was also reported. but
the appropriation Of .2oO0J0 was scaled dowQ
to u.s. 900.