Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-09
CLOSE OF THE SENATE.
Confusion Took the Ilace of Dignity-A
Hard struggle with Two APP
preparation Bills.


lof the Fiity-Fifth Congress in the senate.
At times the confusion was SO great in
this usually staid and decorous body as
to render the transaction of business al
most impossible. Business that ordinarily
would have the undivided attention of
every Senator on the floor was transacted
amid so much noise that 1t was next TO
impossible to follow the proceedings
Toward midniht order was being cvolN-
ed from the seeming chaos of the carly
part Of the day and evening and the
prospect was fair that Congress would
adjourn at noon tomorrow with its abso-
lutely necessary work completed.
When the Senate convened at II o'clock
this morning it faced the task of consid-
eriug two of the great appropriation bills
those for the army and for supplying tho
general deficiencies. The former carries
appropriations exceeding $SO.W00Oo and the
latter about $9ot0DOuo. with u determine
ton to complete the appropriation bills
the Senate began Immediately at II o'clock
. in The morning to consider these measures
ana at o'clock Tonight the army hill
was passed. the deficiency bill having been
passed nearly three hours before. \ con
ference report on the Alaska criminal
code bin was presented and agreed to-
At the conclusion of the executive scs-
sion Ms. Frye of Maine, chairman of the
committee on commerce presented the
final conference report on tine river and
harbor bill. He consented to withhold it
in order that consideration of the general
deficiency bill might be proceeded with.
Ma Hale offered an amendment appro-
prating 100000 as an emergency fund to
he expended by the Pcsidcnt at his discrc-
ton. The IN, ndmcnt was accepted with
out debate or explanation.
Many other amcndn cntS were offered
and ruled out on the point of order.
Among them was a Proposition Tor =
government exhibit nj the Greater Amer
lean exposition at Omaha.
Among the amendments agreed TO were
the following: Authorizing the secretary
of the interior to establish at omaha a.
warehouse for Indian supplies, the am nd
mcut being to carry into effect existing
uW; proViliug two months extra pay for
the voluntc r officers and voiunteec enlist
ed mcu Of tho navy who served beyond
the United States in the war with Spain
and one months extra pay for similar Of
ficers and men who served during that
war only in the United States; to reim-
bucsc the Maritime Canal company Of
Nicaragua for expenses incurred in aid
Of the Ludlow commission Sl5,UuO
4 bill providing for Il Cove rnmont eX-
5 hlbit and to encourage the Ohio Centen-
= mai and Northwest Territory exposition
, to he held at Toledo. ohio. and approprid-
E. ting $4,000 was passed.
Mr. Platt Of New York offered rcsolu-
, ton which was agreed to, according scna-
tors the privilege for 10 days of printing
in the Record culoGics of the late Repre-
sentative Dennis Hurley of New York.
Consideration of the army appropriation
= bin was then begun. Tho few amend
nlents of the Senate committee TO the bill
, were agreed to as the reading of the meas
ure proceeded
Mr. Warren, a member of the commit
tee on military affairs, offered an amend
ment providing that the adjutant general
t of the army should have the rank and
pay ana allowance OF a major general.
MIR. pettus, also a member Of the mill
= tary affairs committee objected and made
a point of order against it on the ground
I OF general legislation.
f Mr.. Hawley declared there was not n
5 man in the army who had done more or
better service for the country than had
Adjutant General Corhin.
At this point consideration of the army
< bill was suspended to enable Mr.. Hale to
= present partial conference report on the
= naval appropriation bill lie explained
, that none of the seriously contested ques-
$ tions such as the puce of armor We're in
, corporatcd in the report.
e. The Senate further insisted upon its
o. amendments and asked for new confer
4 encc.
The debate on the army appropriation
l bill was then resumed.
+, Mr.. IcttgrcW made point of order
against the amendment that it had not
> been referred to the committee on appro-
p priatons.
Tho Vice-P President held the latter point
% to be well taken
I Mr.. Foraker offered the same amend
mcnt restricting its application, however
% TO tho present adiutant general.
o Mr.. Pcttus made "a point of order against
II and he was sustained by the chair.
+ Mr.. Allen of Nebraska appealed from tho
chairs decision and 10y an aye and nay
70 vote the chair was sustained, Al to T.
"a,
e. which he gave notice a few days since de
o clarlng against the granting Of franchise.
in Cuba, emitting the portion relating tC
= the withdrawal Of United States troops il
il the island
' Mr. Sewcl made the point Of order thai
$ the amendment was not relevant but h,
n was OVcrrulcd by "A viva Vocc vote.
L. Mr., burrows stated that he had beer
: Informed by the war department to-da,
d that no franchises had been granted an,
that none was to be granted
Mr.. Morgan thought the amondmen
premature ana Il dangerous innovation
r lie said there We're many men in Cub;
{ ready to jump at each others throats an,
81 we should go slow in our deliberations.
: Mr.. Morgan contendoi that the matte
l. should be left in the hands of the Presi
dent. "When We find such a tumut a.
< there has been over Gen. Gomez accept
n ance of the 100000 proffered by the Uni
ted States it is evident that the peop
r are not capable of self government"
l. Mr.. Plat of Connecticut also argue,
, that the amendment was unnecessary AM
< that it was an unjustiiied insinuation.
= MIR Foraker said that was undue sen
IN Sitivencss. lie disclaimed any intention
n to reflect upon the President, saying tina
t he resented the effort in this direction D.
l. certain senators. lie read an article fror
r the Washington Star giving an interview
N with the president of the colonial board
saying the board would take up question
II affecting patents and the granting q
franchises. Evidently, he said, the inten
20 ton was to grant a railroad franchfS
I- which would not be Justified.
e, IF this programme is to be followed,
nt he continued, 1.-THE United States won
get out Of cuba for hundred years"
al "Of course it won't" interjected MI
ID Hale.
ne Mr.. Foraker said the President had /
rs fact invited Congress to lcgslate whe
.hc had IN his Boston speech said the maj
n ter is now in the hands OF Congress.
no docs the senator not know" asked NJ
II Hale, chat any attempt at legislation
s.. to be contraVened and stifled? | am SUI
~ prised," the Maine senator added, "tha
s. you don't see the effect to stine and thwai
all efforts at legislation"
ed Replying to this point Mr.. Foraker sal
he had not intended to go so far ms i
v, had not supposed that there was any e.
up fort to thWart legislation,
he Mr.. Lodge supported the amendment.
was important that this country shou
Of be absolutely free from all imputation
re faVOrtism in the administration of the "A
o. fairs of Cuba TO pursue II course calcl