The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-13
IN CONGRESS-.

WASHINGTON, Dec. II When the
House opened this noon the number of
members on the floor was large, in an
ticipation of the opening weeks debate
on the currency bill. Hepburn, Iowa.
was made chairman to preside over
the House during the debate.
WASHINGTON, DEC. 11.-Mr. Hoar
presented in Senate today, resolution
OF the Massachusetts Legislature favor
Jog q constitutional amendment regu-
laung the hours Of labor at manufact
uring establishments in the Uuitc d
States. Bills were also introduced
authorizing the President to appoint
commissioners to visit China and Jap
an to inquire into the commercial and
industrial conditions of those empires.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1l.-The Secre-
tary of State directed w. Stanley H0l-
lis now consul at Lorenzo Marquese,
to proceed at once to Pretoria to take
temporary charge OF the consulate after
the departure of Macrune and until the
arrival of Hay.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL. - United
States Supreme Court today rules that
the steamships Pedro and Guido, cap.
tured off Havana early in the Spanish
American war, are lawful prizes. The
court ruled that the steamer Bonaven-
tura, also captured, was illegally con-
demned as she sailed prior to the dec
laration of war.
Mr.. Overstreet, Indiana, took the
floor to make the opening speech on
the bill. After declaring that the gold
standard had been recognized in this
country for more than half century,
he pointed out the necessity for having
a law ON the statute books definitely
announcing the gold dollar to be the
standard of value rather than to leave
it to the discretion of any man, wheth-
err President, secretary or treasurer, an
order from whom might any time
change the standard.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1l.-An appeal
by Mr.. Mason of Illinois for an ex-
preston of sympathy for the Transvaal
republic in its war with Great Britain
was the feature of the Senate proceed
ings today. The resolution was re-
ferred to the foreign relations COM
mittee. Mr.. Lodge OF Massachusetts,,
considered it too delicate a question,
in view of the position of the govern
ment, TO pass upon without serious
consideration.
Mr.. Mason contended that the ques-
ton Involved in the controversy be-
tween Great Britain and the Transvaal
prior to hostilities was simply one of
supremacy in South Africa, land |
ask" said he, ''in common justice,
what right has Great Britain to be SUI
preme IN South African"
sit is q fight to control South Africa
and the only way England could do it
was to threaten, bulldoze, browbeat
aud interfere with the Dutchman until,
out Of sheer humiliation and despera-
ton, he was driven to fight"
Mr.. Lodge expressed the wish that
Mr.. Mason might have delivered his adj
dress in the British parliament. The
executive department of the govern
ment, he said, had assumed a neutral
attitude toward the South African war.
The passage of this resolution by the
Senate would change Immediately that
attitude.
The resolution went over without ac-
ton.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II House spe-
eial committee to investigate Roberts
met this morning in executive session
to consider the reports of the two sub
committees appointed on Saturday, one
to decide the form of subp9nas to be
issued, the other on method OF proce
dure.