Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-01-26
A WEEKOF CONGRESS.
The Peace Treaty and tho General Oucs-
tion of Expansion Discussed


In the Senate Thursday the bond amend
ment to the Nicaragua Canal bill was de-
feated, substitute being adopted limit
ing tho expenditure on the canal in any
one year to s20,0OO,Oo. There was fur
thcr discussion of the policy of cXpan-
sion. Mr.. Turner of Washington, am
swering the speeches of Senator's Platt
and Foraker. In the House the Brown
Swanson election contest from Virginia
was decided i'll favor of Swanson, the sit
ting member In the Postotlice ApprU-
priation bill the items for the fast South
crn mail and for special mail facilities
from Kansas City to Newton, Kansas,
were defeated. The proposed increase in
the appropriation for the pneumatic tube
service was also defeated
The Senate was in session fer five hours
and half Friday, but the session was
practically barren Of results. TWO nota-
bic speeches were delivered, one by Mr.
Nelson In opposition to Mr.. Vests anti
expansion resolution, and the other by
Mr.. White, a personal explanation of his
position with respect to the instructions
given the California Senators by the Leg
islaturc of that State as to voting on the
pending peace treaty The Nicaragua
Canal ucDaIe was resumed. but no con-
Clusion was reached. The proceedings
in the House were erlivcned by a wordy
contest between Mr.. Grosvcnor, of Ohio,
and Mr. Lewis, of Washington, during
the debate on a bill to refer to the Court
OF Claims the claim Of the Cramp Sh p
building Company, of Philadelphia, for
damages from the Government for delay
incident to building four war ships. 7 he
rostothCe Appropriation bill was passed.
Speaker Reed announced the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Payne tRop., of y, y 10
the Chairmansfip of the Ways and Means
Committee, to succeed the late Mr. Ding
q y. # \
to the vacancies on Ways and Means and
Rules Committees, created by the retire.
ment Of Governor McMilln. Of Tennessee.
The River and Harbor bill was complete
ed Friday. 1t carries appropriations for
the ensuing official year, aagregating $12,-
5)3. 13S, and in addition to this, continuing
contracts are authorized aggregating $780,
79l, ,53S.
The Senate on Saturday passed the
Nicaragua Canal bill, decided to make
the anti-scalping bin the unfinished
business ana continued the consider a.
tion Of the Indian Appropriation bill
A number of amendments were adopted
to the Nicaragua Canal bill. A roll call
developed only six votes in opposition to
final passage The Anti-scalping bill
was taken up on Il vote of SO to p, but
no effort was then made to continue its
consideration. The effect Of the vote was
to give it first place on the calandar, but
the understanding is that It shall not
be passed in opposition to the peace
treaty or the appropriation bills. The
House was not in session
Discussion of the policy of expansion
occupied much of the time of the Senate
Monday, Mr.. White contcnding that such
a policy is contrary TO the fundamental
principles of this Government. He inti-
mated that definite declaration of pol
icy on the part of the Administration
ct, 'fI. IN \ q.
session the promotions of naval officers
were considered. and Senator German at
tackled the Administration for preferring
Admiral Sampson to Admiral Schley. No
action was taken beyond asking for the
naval records of the Santiago battle.
The House passed the bill to extend the
navigation laws of the United States
to the Hawaiian Islands. The privilege
Of American register to Hawaiian vessels
is limited to those that were flying the
Hawaiian flag on July I, 1898.
Senators Lodge and Clay spoke at
lcngth in the Senate Tuesday upon terri
torial expansion, and both urged immed-
late ratification Of the Peace Treaty, all
though MIR Clay opposes acquisition Of
the Philippine Islands. Tho line of ar
gument was that when peace shall have
been declared Congress will have full
authority to deal with conditions respect
ing the territory acquired from Spain.
In executive session the Senate voted
against discussing the Peace Treaty with
open doors. Tn opponents of the treaty
urge. its advocates to name the day for
taking a vote. but this was not done. The
debate on the Army Orsanizt'On bill
opened in the House. and will continue
for ntteen hours. exclusive Of three night
sessions. the vote to be taken on Tuesday
of next week Many speeches were made
on both side of the question.
4 I,.;-s .tat1