The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-03
WORK OF CONGRESS-

fngs in the house were enlivened yes
terday by q wordy duel between Mr..
Grosvenor Of Ohio and Mr.. Lewis, the
picturesque member from Washing.
ton. During the debate on private
bill to refer to the court Of claims the
claim Of Crnmp & Sons, the Phila-
delphia shfpbuilders, for damages from
the government for delay in building
the battleships Columbia. New York
and Massachusetts, for failure to sup
ply armor plate in time. Mr.. Lewis
made this a text for attacking govern
ment contractors, who he charged
with being traitors and imposing on
the government in time of stress. Mr..
Simpson of Kansas followed along the
same lines and Mr. Grosvenor under
took to rebuke them both. Mr.. Lewis,
in his reply. made one of the wittiest
speeches, ridiculing the Ohian for his
alleged pretensions that have been
heard in the house for months. Mr..
Grosvenor did not deign to make an
extensive reply, though he displayed IL
bundle Of documents and intimated
that lie had plenty of reserve ammu-
milton i'll stock for Mr.. Lewis. The
Cramps bill was edged out of the way
| after the flow of oratory ceased. Late
| bill was finally passed and Just before
| the recess Speaker Reed put an end to
speculation regarding the chairman
ship of the ways and means COM
mittee by appointing Mr.. Payne of
| New York to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Mr.. Dingley. This
carries with it the floor leadership Of
the majority. At the same time lie
! filled the Democratic vacancy on the
ways and means and rules cen mittees
caused by the retirement of Mr.. Nc
Millin by appointing Mr.. Richardson
Of Tennessee to both places. Mr.
! Crumpacler of Indiana was appointed
on census. An arrangement was made
for the consideration of the army re-
organization bill beginning next Tues
day. Fifteen hours arc to be allowed
for general debate. exclusive of night
sessions Tuesday. Wednesday and
! Thursday nights. 4 night session was
held last night for pension legislation
and the house then adjourned over I'LL
til Monday
| In the Senate.
| The senate was in session for five
hours and Il half yesterday but the
session was practically barren Of re-
suits. Two notable speeches were de-
1ivered, one by Mr.. Nelson of Mime
sofa in opposition to Mr.. Vests anti
expansion resolution and another by
Mr.. White of California. Il personal
explanation of his position with re-
spect to the instructions given the Cal
ifornia senators by the legislature in
that state as TO voting Oh the pending
peace treaty. At the conclusion of the
speeches the senate resumed consider
alton of the Nicaraguan Canal bill. Its
completion was prevented probably by
the filibustering tactics adopted by Mr..
Tillman, who frankly announced that
the bill could not be passed yesterday
as he and other senators. it necessary,
would remain in the chamber until
midnight to prevent Il tiEal vote.
Washington, Jan. 24.-Discussion Of
the policy of expansion occupied near
ly all the time Of the senate in open
session yesterday. Mr.. White of Cali
fornia, one of the Democrats who has
announced heretofore his opposition to
ratification Of the treaty of peace, adj
dressed the senate in support Of the
anti-eNpansion resolution introduced
by Mr.. Vest and another resolution Of
fered by Mr.. Bacon declaring that the
Philippines ought to be free and indie
| pcuNcul. NIL. w uIle IS al DIlllliuL
speaker, and he was complimented by
his colleagues and Il large audience in
the galleries with careful attention. He
did not enter into Il discussion of eX-
pansion as Il policy of this govern
ment. He maintained that such a pol
icy was contrary to it's history and ira
ditions. He declared his opposition to
the ratification of the pending treaty
OF peace, but broadly intimated that
a declaration of definite policy ON the
part OF the administration you'll very
much simplify the situation. and, as
a matter Of good faith ought not to he
antagoniZed by the advocates Of the
treaty'S ratification.
In the House.
1t was District of Columbia day in
the house and the major portion of the
day was devoted to local legislation.
The only action OF public opinion was
the passage Of the bill to extend the
navigation laws of the United States
to the Hawaiian islands. One of the
provisions of the bill grants American
register to all vessels flying the Ha-
waiian flag owned by Hawaiian cti-
zens July Z, 1898.
| Washington. Jan. %. - Two notable
speeches were delivered in the senate,
one by Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts
and the other by Mr.. Clay Of Georgia.
While the senators differed diamet-
really as to the policy Of expansion,
upon which they dwelt, both are in ia
vor of the immediate ratification of the
pending peace treaty. They contend
that once the treaty is ratified congress
will have full power to deal with coll
ditions respecting the territory ac-
| quired during the war with Spain, and
not before. Mr. Lodge particularly
| argued for a formal declaration OF
peace. which could be had only on the
ratification of the treaty. That ac-
complished, he was willing to trust the
American congress and the American
people to deal fairly, justly and patri-
otically with the Philippine islands,
1 with full regard to the principles OF
our own government as set forth in the
| constitution and the declaration of in