The Forrest City times., 1899-02-10
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS-.
ington During the Closing Days of the FIfty-Fifth Ses.ion.

FOR a time iu the senate on the fst ft looked IS if a vote would be taken on one or more of ihe resolutions relating to expansion that were bending. but as 1t seemed evident that the vote sould not be taken before two o'cloclt-tAe hour or the senate to go into executive session on he peace treaty-Senator Bacon (Ga) asked or unanimous consent that n vote be taken at 2:SO o'clock the next day. To this request senator Carter tMon) objected and the whole question was left suspended Senator Raw ins tUtah) then addressed the senate upon the Vest anti-expansion resolution In the execu- i've session Senator Teller (Col) made a 'peech in support of the treaty and Senator ioar tMass.) spoke in opposition. The house sntered upon the consideration Of the river md harbor bill and before adjournment had completed 30 of the ss pages of the bill. It ap- oropriates directly about si2 500. .oo1 and au- horizes contracts to the extent of sls 0o0, GOO additional MT Hepburn la made a speech n opposition to the measure
 SENATOR SPooNER (Wis) spoke for three hours in the senate on the 2d He discussed he question of expansion in all its phases and ,rged the ratification of the peace treaty. He vas several times interrupted by Senator Till nan tS CD asking questions. the latter senator declaring at one time that he would not vote or the treaty because, as Senator Spooner ad- nitted, the 100000 people of the Philippnes ,ould take the first ship to America and enter nto competition with American labor. The sAcCuilFe session nelu after senator SDOOnerS ipeech was only n continuation of the debate in )pen session. The river and harbor bill was passed by the house by the large majority of 60 to C. It carries little more than s30 000,- D0 resolution was introduced that the United States flag on all government buildings should always be displayed at half-mast on February l5 in memory of the destruction of he battleship Maine A bill was also intro- iuced to repeal the law which prevents an ex- confederate soldier from sitting on federal grand or petit jury.
 IN the senate on the 3d arguments were made in opposition to expansion and in opposi- lion to the ratification Of the peace treaty, Senator's Money tMiss) and Daniel Va) being the speakers Senator Harris (Kan.) offered a resolution disclaiming any intention If the United States to permanently hold the Philippine islands It was laid on the table at ais request Senator Baker 0ian.) introduced bill changing the place for holding court in he central district of the Indian territory rom Cameron to Poteau .... Most of the time ,f the house during its session of three hours vas taken up in filibusterng against relief pills on the private calendar the fiibuster be- ng successful and the house adjourning with put taking up any of the bills The conference 'eport upon the diplomatic and consular ap- oropriation bill was agreed to. Mir. Curtis ,kan) reported favorably from the commit zee bill to put in force in the Indian territory certain laws of Arkansas relating to corpora lions. The Curtis bill providing for leg sla- ion touching railroad right-of way through the Indian territory was also reported favor tbly.
 SENATOR ALLEN (Neb) offered in the senate ,n the 4th a resolution that the senate. in 'atifying and confirming the treaty of Paris ioes not commit itself or the government to he doctrine that the islands acquired by the war of Spain are to be annexed or to become q part of the United States He gave notice that ae 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 tCol). who urged the ratification of he treaty on moral and patriotic grounds An executive session was then taken =. The mili- :ary academy appropriation bill was passed by the house It carries s60isiZ The exercises Tor the formal acceptance of the statues Of Benton and Blair as gift from the state of Missouri took place and Congressman Dockery tMo), Champ Clark (Mo) and others made eloquent addresses about the dead statesmen.
 THE senate on the 9th ratified the treaty of peace by vote of 57 yeas to 27 nays In ad- vance of the voting speeches were made by Senators Ross tVt), 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 lLa) ]. declaring policy for the Philippines but the debate occupied so much time that the resolu- lion went over .... The house passed the census bill by vote of l47 to 42 The sundry civil bill was then reported. number of minor bills were also passed The committee on public buld- ngs reported favorably the Curtis bill appro- priating sl00 900 for the extension of the public building at Topeka Kan The public building Tor Kansas City, Kan, was also reported. but 'he appropriation of '2So0oo was sealed down To $75 000