Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

CONUhLEoSION NE w Ss
Washington, March LIN the senate
an amendment to the sundry civil bill
was adopted appropriating nearly s4,
100000 for preliminary work on build
ings which had been authorized. Bills
appropriating $4,000 each for James
Vile and Eau Claire public buildings
were passed. Another unsuccessful eff
fort was made in the executive session
to confirm the nominations advancing
Sampson and Schley and the other Of
ficers who participated in the Santiago
campaign. This result was due to the
objections of Nessrs. Butler, Petit
grew and Stewart, who talked through
the session thus preventing vote. Mr.
Butler based his objection to the ad-
vancement Of Sampson upon the reve-
lations Of the published record OF the
two officers, and referred with special
emphasis to the fact that Sampson had
himself been responsible for Schley
remaining at Cienfuegos. Mr. For
aker gave notice that he would offer
the following amendment to the army
appropriation bill as proviso
when 1t comes before the senate:
That no franchises or concessions of
any kind whatever shall be granted by
the United States or by any authority
whatever for which the United States
is responsible in Cuba during the oc-
cupation there by the United States;
"a,
cation of the island of Cuba having
been accomplished, the president Is
hereby authorized to withdraw the
military forces of the United States
therefrom and leave the government
and control of the island to its people"
The president sent to the senate an
inventory of the property the Ho-
waiian government transferred to the
United States. The report was made
by Special Agent Sewall. The esti-
mate places the total valuation of the
property at $10,S73,0O0.
Washington, March 1.-The house
spent practically the entire session
passing public bills. Sixty-one bills
were passed, carrying $9352, 900
Washington, March I'm the senate
the naval appropriation bill, which or"
dlnarily consumes several days, was
passed without division, after less than
five hours of debate. The price to be
paid by the government for armor
plate was fixed by the bill at $500 a
ton, reduction of the amount fixed by
the house of $145 a ton. This
amendment was presented by Mr.
Tillman and adopted, "a to 70.
In addition the secretary of the navy
is authorized in the event of the re-
fusal of the armor plate companies to
supply the armor at $500 ton, to pro-
coed to the construction of an armor
factory to cost $l,500,000 and placing
in the secretary's control $2,000,000
with which to operate the government
plant. This amendment was presented
by Mr.. Butler IN. CO and was adopt
ed, 80 to n. Mr.. Gray (dem., DELI
called attention to the provision ap-
propriating $1,000,000 for the "pur
chase and manufacture" of smokeless
powder. He deemed it good policy for
our people not to bring the govern
ment into competition with a private
industry. Therefore he offered an
amendment providing that not more
than $l50000 of the sum be expended
In manufacture. 1t was agreed to-
An amendment was agreed to author
i2ing the secretary of the navy to con
tract for two submarine boats of the
Holland type at a cost not to exceed
$125, goo each.
Mr.. Allen called up the Vest resolu-
ton in regard to the acquisition of
foreign territory and delivered upon
it his yaledictory. The death of Lord
Herschell was announced. Messrs
Fairbanks and Gray paid him an elo
quent tribute and the former offered
resolutions which were adopted re-
questing the president of the senate to
convey to the queen of Great Britain
the sympathy of the senate of the
United States.
Washington, March 2.-rh last pos
sibllity of an extra session of congress
disappeared when the house passed
the senate army reorganization bill
Vigorous opposition to acceptance of
the senate bin was voiced on both
sides ana for time 1t appeared pos
sible that the bill would not secure the
necessary two-thirds to pass it under
suspension of the rules But the re-
publican leaders, Messrs. Henderson,
Gosvenor and Cannon, came to it's sup
port on the republican side and Mr.
Bailey, the democratic leader, threw
the weight of his influence IN favor of
1t, arguing that 1t provided for only a
temporary increase Of the army
which might be made permanent If
congress convened in extra session.
The general deficiency appropriation
bill, carrying $2l,0S9 900, passed under
suspension of the rules. without word
of criticism. This is the last approprl
alton bill. The senate amendments to
the river and harbor bill were non
concurred in and the bill was sent to