Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-06
THE 55TH CONGRESS.
DEBATE IN HOUSE on ALLEGED AT
TACK on LABOR.
OPPOSITION TO PENDING CANAL BILL.
senator Cnffery Continues His
speech Begun before Christmas
Against Butler Pension Bill.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., January 5.--The
Judiciary Committee had the right OF way
In the House for three hours to-day, and
quite a number OF bills OF minor impor-
lance, reported from the committee, were
passed.
The remainder of the day was occu-
pied In continuing the consideration OF
the bill to codify the laws OF Alaska. Some
q pages were disposed OF to-day, making
50 in all, OF the 2s2 pages.
- section OF the bill, copied from the
statutes OF Oregon. providing punishment
by fine and Imprisonment OF persons who
prevent or endeavor 10 prevent employees
from working, aroused protracted de-
bate. on the ground that it was an attack
on organized labor. 1t was finally stricken
out.
BILLS PASSED.
The following bills, called up by the
Judiciary Committee, were passed: TO
provide additional circuit judges for the
Third and Sixth judicial districts; to
regulate the terms Of court In The Eastern
District Of Tennessee and the District OF
Butte Mont. TO retire c. S. Foster. United
States District Judge, of Kansas; TO
amend the Revised Statutes so as to allow
the United States five peremptory chal-
lenges in criminal cases; to permit ship
owners to file indemnity bonds; to allow
legally appointed guardians Of insane per-
sons TO prosecute patent claims, and TO
release the international Cotton'Press
! Company, Of New Orleans, from liability
for 50, 4S9 for internal revenue taxes.
At 4:55 p. NJ. the House adjourned until
tomorrow.
Senate Proceedings.
! Little business, except of a routin char
| acter. was transacted by the Senate to-
! day. A resolution. offered by Mr.. Hoar,
| Of Massachusetts, directing the Commit
! tee on Foreign Relations to report to the
/ Senate whether the Treaty Of Paris makes
any provision for the claims Of citizens
of the United States against Spain. which
were in existence before the present war,
| and the status of such claims after the
ratification of the treaty, was adopted.
Mr. Caffery, of Louisiana, continued,
| and practically concluded, his speech, be-
gun before the holiday recess, on the
opposition to the pending Nicaragua canal
! bill.
! FOR INDEPENDENT CONSTRUCTION.
| Mr.. Caffery said, in reply to ques-
ton from Mr.. White that it was his opin-
! ion that IL the United States should build
|
face Of the treaty, the canal would be
| absolutely neutral, and Great Britain
would have every right to use the canal
in time OF war He thought the treaty
should be abrogated, and that the United
! States should construct the canal indie
! pendently of the Maritime Company. Mr.
! White expressed the opinion that the in
terests of the human race demand the
! construction Of the canal. but said that In
proceeding we should have due regard
| for all interests He thought, however.
that we ought to be able to devise
scheme for proceeding with the construc-
ton of the canal, without infringing upon
the rights Of other nations. and minated
| that the canal might be built and negO-
| tiations with other countries conducted
later.
CHARGE REPUDIATED
During his speech Mr. Gallery alluded
to a statement which had been made re-
peatedly that the opposition to the canal
was fOstered and maintained by those
who were behind the transcontinental
railroads as supporters This charge he
repudiated, and he declared he would
scorn himself " he could be supposed to
be guilty Of IT,
PROTEST FROM CONFEDERATES.
Prior to Mr.. Canerys speech, Mr.. Berry
! DemocraO, of Arkansas, presented pro-
test from the j. I'D. Murray Camp of
United Confederate Veterans. Of Arkan-
sas against the adoption Of the proposed
amendment of Senator Butler PopulisD,
OF North Carolina. TO the pension appro-
priation bill. providing for the payment
| of pensions to Confederate soldiers.
Mr.. Berry said the members of the
camp deemed it unwise to adopt such a
proposition. They say, said Dir. Berry,
that they have provided for themselves
and their families Tor more than a gene
ration, and they regard such PROPOSE
tion as that OF Mr. Buffers as ungraci0us.
The Senate. at S:25 i. NJ, adjourned.