The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-13
THE SENATE AND HOUSE
Sixteen Private Pension Bills We're Passed
BY the Senate.
4 VOTE Of THANKS TO THE RED CROSS
Consular and diplomatic Appropria-
ton Bill Passed hy the house.
Against Annexation.

Washington, january 12,---Little busi-
ness was accomplished by the senate In
open session today. Sixteen bills on the
private pension calendar were passed, and
Joint resolution extending the thanks of
congress 10 Miss Clara Barton and other
officials OF the Red Cross society for their
benefcent work in Armenia and Cuba
was adopted
MIR. Allison (lowa) reported the Indian
appropriation bill and gave notice that
he would call II up tomorrow.
Mr.. Hawley (Conn.) OF the military at-
fairs committee reported joint resoiu-
ton rendering the thanks OF congress to
Clara Barton and the officers and agents
of the Red Cross society for their humane
services toward the Armenlans and to-
wards both sides In the Hispano- American
war.
Mr.. Hoar asked for Immediate conslcera-
tion of the resolution, which was passed
after Mr.. noar explained that the privi-
leges of the floor as a result would be ex-
tended In any event only to Miss Barton.
| and he did not believe she would trouble
anybody.
Under special order the senate passed
sixteen unopiected bills on the private
pension calendar, and at 1:10 p M. on mo-
tion Of Mr.. Davis, went into executive ses-
sion.
/ The first part OF the executive session
ives spent in considering the motion Of
Senator Berry tArk.) to have the discus
sion of the peace treaty take place In open
session. Senator Berry opened the discuss
/ sion In behalf of the motion, saying that
The people who would be most effected AMI
were most interested in the decision TO be
reached should have full knowledge OF tie
recommendations for and against ratifyin
The treaty
Senator Vest supported Mr.. Berry in his
contention that the proceedings of the sem
| ate ON the treaty should be conducted III
| open session He said that the question at
issue was one OF sucn general Importance
that the public was entitled to know all
that was said and done by its public SER
wants. He also adverted 70 the fact that
the proceedings of executive sessions ore
often published. thus rendering II impos-
| sible to preserve secrecy, even II desirable
To do So
Senators Frye, Hale and others spoke
| in opposition to the motion, contendng
| for the propriety OF following precedent
in the present instance in the senate.
| Many questions OF delicate nature
would necessarily arise In the considera-
| tion of the treaty. and while 1t was pos
| sible that some of the proceedings might
/ reach the public they would not go out in
official form and the effect would not be
the same as If given out officially.
Other speakers in opposition to the pub
/ lie discussion of the treaty were Senators
Davis. Gray and Burroughs. They urged
the treaty was the most important ever
made by this government, and therefors
contended for the observance of the proper
forms in Its consideration. AS they re-
| garded the question, the time was espe-
cially fnopportune for changing the prac-
tice of the senate In this matter.
Senators Davis, Frye and Gray, all mem
bers Of the peace commission, united in
saying that their experience In formulat-
Ing the treaty had convinced them that
much would come up In considering 1t in
the senate which should not be given to
| the public. Their united verdict had an
/ appreciable effect upon other senators ana
4 II soon became evident that the chances
of the success of the Berry amendment
had been considerably impaired.
/ Mr.. Cockrell entered motion to recall
the bill which passed yesterday authorize
ing the president to appoint Brigadier
General T. H. Stanton major general
and placing him on the retired list at that
rank
AT S o'clock the senate adjourned.