The National tribune., 1899-12-28
! . IN CONGRESS-.
Synopsis of the More Important
v qr
Proceedings OF that Body.

1
the receptly-appointed Senator from Ne
braska, was present, and at the conclusion
OF the reading of the journal MIR. lhurston
(Neb9, his colleague, presented him at
the Secretary's desk. where the oath OF
Office was administered. Mr.. Allen was
cordially greeted by his old colleagues.
| MIR. Aldrich Or. l) reported House bill
No 1-the financial bill, with substitute.
Mr. Aldrich stated this was the majority
report OF the committee, and that he would
ask for its consideration Jan. at p m
A bill creating commission OF five to
revise and codify the pension laws OF the
United States was passed.
| In the House Mr.. Tayler (Ohio), Chair
| man of the special committee To investigate
the case of RepreSentativc-elect Roberts,
offered a resolution for the payment OF
| the expenses incurred by the cQmmlt lttee.
and hereafter to be incurred, out OF ihe
!contingentfund of the House. The Iayler
resolution was adopted.
MIR. Mercer tNeb.) announced the death
| of the late Senator Hayward, of Nebraska,
and after the adoption of the customary
| resolutions the House, as further mark OF
respect, adjourned.
In the Senate on Dec. 20 Mr.. Hale Me.)
had read from the clerks desk the procla-
| nation issued by Gen. Brooke in Havana
on turning over the civil government Of
Cuba to his successor, Gen: Leonard WOOD.
rest the attention of the Senate Committee
on Cuban Affairs and of the country. 1t is
| most remarkable statement OF the prog
ress that has been made in Cuba. Ii Gen.
Brooke be right, peace and order prac-
tically have been restored on the island,
and the people will be ready at an early
date to enter upon a Government OF Their
own. Gen. Brooke is to be congratulated
upon having accomplished a vast work.
1t is much greater than ! had supposed
| see the dawn of the time when the Cuban
people will be able to set up Government
displaced, will soon come North, and when
he arrives will receive our congratulations
upon his great work"
The matter was referred to the Commit
tee on Relations with Cuba.
Mr.. Harris (kan.) announced his with
drawal from the Committee on Agriculture
Thereupon Mr.. Cockrell (Mo.) presented
resolution filling the vacancies on the Com
mittees on Agriculture, Claims. Forest
Reservations, Interstate Commerce. Philip
pines, and Pensions by the appointment
of Mr.. Allen (Neb). The resolution was
adopted
MIR Hoar introduced a resolution declara-
tory of the principles under which the pco-
rle of the island possessions of the United
States should be governed, the resolution
looking to the ultimate self-government of
those people.
The resolution, at Mr.. Hoar's request,
was left on the table
Mr.. Hawlev Comm, Chairman of the
Military Affairs Committee, drew sharp
speech,from blr. Pettigrew by a motion to
reconsider a resolution previously INTRO
duced by Mf.iPettigrew and passed, direct
ing the heSecretary of War to forward to the
Senate the full report of the commission
appointed by the President to investigate
the conduct of the Spanish war.
Mr.. Pettigrew declared that this was
most unusual proceeding, and demanded
to know whether 'it is part of studied
policy to suppress information"
'Is itp he demanded "along the lines of
the suppression of news from Manila, not
because it iS not proper news, but be
cause of its possible effect on the people
Of the country? day or two ago ! asked
for the adoption of a resolution of inquiry
hat | deemed perfectly proper. 1t was
laid on the table Was the action taken
becauseithe resolution indicated that Off
GERS Of this Government had recognized the
Philippine Republic? Do you think II such
a recognition had not been made that resO-
luCon would have been laid on the table?
The fact is werdid recognize the Philippine
Republic, and it was through the assistance
of the Filipino vessels that a Spanish gar
rSon WAS forced to surrender
at tnow seems that there are many things
not to be brought to the attention Of the
people. My belief is that we ought to have
another commission to investigate the entire
conduct Of the Spanish war. We might
investigate the purchase of army trans
ports, for which we paid two or three times
what they were offered for to others Is this
policy OF the suppression OF news and facts
to be followed for the purpose of re-electlng
the present Administration? In my opin-
ion it is vastly more important that the
people should have all the facts obtainable
than that any man or men should be re-
elected to office"
In reply MIR. Hawley disclaimed any in
tention of an endeavor to suppress any
facts The Senator from South Dakota
does not surprise me-" he said. "in his dis
covery Of improper motives in the motion
made. He is the original dscoverer OF
such motives"
Mr.. Hawley then said he had made the
motion simply that the matter might be
considered by a committee with view to
an ascertainment of the availability of the
matter asked for. Nobody who knew him
would suppose he was trying to conceal any
thing, and, so far as he was concerned, he
Was willing that there should be the most
rigid inquiry into the conduct of the Span
iSh war.
Mr.. Cockrell (Mo) believed that the re-
port of the investigation commission. made
communicated to the Senate. That would
be right and proper.
At his suggestion the resolution was re-
considered, and the request was made of
the President, ii not incompatible with pub
lie interests, to communicate the testimony
and report of the commission to the Senate
The Senate adjourned until Jan. 3, 1900
The House after brief and unimportant
session, also adjourned until after the hol-
days.
THE pOREpTS CASE