Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-21
CONGRESS ADJOURNS.
Senators and Representatives Go
Home for Christmas.
SUPPRESSION OF FACTS.
Administration Called to Account on
This Score.
REPUBLICAN DEFEAT IN HOUSE.
Democrats Hold the Body i'm Order
to Give Mr.. Grow Time to- Reply to-
Gaines's Remarks OF Tuesday Re-
garding the Meaning of Coin,
Administration Called to Account on
This Score.
REPUBLICAN DEFEAT IN HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, d. c., December 20
In the final session Of the Senate to-day
before the holiday recess, Mr. Pettigrew,
of South Dakota, In a characteristic
speech, demanded to know whether II
was to be the policy Of the representa-
tives Of the administration to suppress
proper facts and news, when called for
by senator. He said he believed an eff
fort was being made to prevent the testi-
mony taken by the War Investigating
Commission from being sent to the Sem
ate, at his request and declared his pur-
pose Of not submitting to the suppression
Of information, to which the people, in
his opinion, were entitled.
Taking Major General Brooke's farewell
proclamation to the people Of Cuba as
text, Mr.. Hale. Of Maine, briefly con-
graduated the General upon the work
ne had accomplished in Cuba, and said
he could now see the dawn Of the time
when the Cuban people would be indie
pendent
GOVERNMENT OF NEW POSSES
SIONS.
Mr. Morgan, Of Alabama, offered an
amendment to Mr.. Bacon's resolutions
guaranteeing to the people of Porto Rico,
Hawaii, and the Philippines republican
government, and Mr.. Hoar, OF Massa-
chusetts, introduced a resolution declar-
ing how the people Of the island possess
siOns of the United States should be gov
erned-
Mr.. Harris, Of Kansas, announced his
withdrawal from the Committee on Agri-
culture. Thereupon Mr.. Cockrel OF Mis-
souri,, presented a resolution filling the
vacancies on the Committees on Agricul-
ture. Claims, Forest Reservations, Inter-
state Commerce. Philippines, and PEN
sions by the appointment of Mr.. Allen.
Of Nebraska. The resolution was adopted.
POPULAR ELECTION OF JUDGES.
Mr.. Butler, OF North Carolina proposed
an amendment TO the Constitution. pro-
vding that the Chief Justice OF the
United States and United States judges
shall be elected by the people. 1t was re-
ferred 10 the judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Hawey, of Connecticut, chairman
OF the Military Affairs Committee, drew
a sharp speech from Mr. Pettigrew by
making a motion TO reconsider a resolu-
ton previously introduced by Mr.. Petit
grew, and passed, directing the Secretary
Of War TO forward to the Senate the full
report Of the commission appointed by
the President to investigate the conduct
Of the Spanish war.
Nr. Pettigrew declared that this was
a most unusual proceeding. and demand
ed to know whether lit is part of a
studied policy 10 suppress information"
els it," he demanded, "alOng the line
OF the suppression OF news from Manila,
not because It is not proper news, nut be-
cause Of its possible effect on the people
Of the country
ANOTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDED.
my belief is that We ought To have
another commission TO investigate the en-
tire conduct OF the Spanish war. we
might investigate the purchase OF army
transports, for which we paid two or
three times what they were offered Tor TO
others. Is this policy of the suppression
OF news and facts to be followed Tor the
purpose of re-eecting the present adj
ministration? In my opinion, IL Is vastly
more important that the people should
have all the facts Obtainable than that
any man or men should be reelected TO
office"
In reply. Mr.. Hawley discIaimed any
intention of an endeayor 10 suppress any
facts He then said he had made the mo-
zion simply that the matter might be con-
sidered bv a committee with view 70 an
ascertainment OF the availability Of the
matter asked for.
DEMAND CHANGED TO REQUEST
Mr.. Cockrel Of Missouri believed that
the report OF the investigating commits
sion. made By direction OF the President,
should be communicated 10 the senate.
That would be right and proper. Al ms
suggestion. the resolution was recon-
sidered and a request was made or the
President, if not Incompatible with pup
lie interests, to communicate the testl-
mony and report OF the commission TO
the Senate.
Mr.. Allison. of Iowa, thought too, that
the Senate ought to have the testimony
and renort. and said: Il am sure those
who made the investigation and the Pres
ident will have no objection 10 publca-
ton OF the matter
The resolution. as amended by Mr..
CockreH. was passed without dissent.
rhe senate then, at 1:l6 Z. NJ. went
into executive session, and at 200 adj
iourned until January g. 1907
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
No business was transacted at the brief
session OF the House to-day. The time
was occupied IN a tlibuster against
motion TO adjourn. having been inaugu-
rated by the Democrats and some Re-
publicans in order 10 give Mr. Grow, the
venerable ex-Speaker OF the House, an
opportunity 10 reply 10 some statements
made yesterday by Mr. Gaines, OF ZEN
nessee Mr. Payne, the majority leader,
was defeated on two r0ll-calls. Mr.. Ricn
aydson chaffed him on his defeat in a
good-natured way.
After Mr.. Grow had made his state
roent the House adjourned until Il o'clock
January g. 1880.