Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-21

amendment. reducing the amount avail
able to be paid the canal company
s2,oO0,O00. Mr.. Berry offered the follow
Ing amendment to Section 3:
Nothing in this act shall be con-
strued to authorize the payment to
said company or to any other person or
persons greater sum than the value
OF such property as ascertained by tho
Commission herein named, nor shall
any warrants be delivered until such
commission has reported such value"
Mr. Morgan accepted the amendment
and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Caffery's amendment was then
defeated--32 to 90
Mr.. Chiffon. of Texas, offered an
amendment reducing the number of di-
rectors of the canal from IL to z, five
or whom are to be from the United
States. The amendment was agreed
to.
Mr.. Spooner offered an amendment
that If the President be unable to Sc
cure from the Governments of Nicara-
qua and CostO Rica such concessions
as will enable tho United States to
build and perpetually own and control
the canal, he is authorized to nego-
tate for n control, or the right to con-
struct, maintain and perpetually con-
troll, of some other canal connecting
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; and
the President is also requested to ne
6ptiitC LUZ the dDEOSdllOn OF mOulnca-
ton OF any and all treaty obligations
in any way interfering with the con-
struction, ownership and perpetual
control of any such canal.
Replying to question from Mr.
Spooner, Mr.. Morgan said that his Elk
preston some other canal" would, of
course, include the Panama Canal.
AS desire was expressed that tho
amendment be perfected. on motion of
Mr. White, at 6:25 p. m, the Senate
adjourned.
a WINDY DUEL.
Washington, d. c.. Jan. 20.-The pro-
ceedings in the House We're .enliyened
to-day by Il Wordy duel between Mr.
Grosvenor, of Ohio. and Mr.. Lewis, the
picturesque member from Washington.
During the debate on private bill to
refer to the Court of Claims the claim
OF Cramp Il Sons the Philadelphia ship
builders, for damages from the Govern
ment for delays incident to the build
ing the warships New York, Massachu-
sets, Indiana and Columbia, due to the
failure of the Government to deliver
armor plate and other materials for
these ships on time, Mr.. Lewis got the
floor. The claims aggregated about
81, 100000. and the bill mad encountered
Il good deal of opposition. Mr.. Lewis
made 1t the text for Il general attack
on army and navy contractors, Aiie he
tHii ECU Will DeLliS traitors LOT TAKING
advantages of the necessities of the
Government in time of stress.
Mr. Simpson, the Kansas Populist,
followed along the same lines. and Mr.
Grosvenor undertook to rebuke them
both.
Mr.. Grosvenor said if the treaty was
not ratified the country would again be
plunged in war.
Mr. Lewis. in his reply made one OF
the wittiest speeches, rldiculed the
Ohioan for his alleged pretentions that
has been heard in the House for
months. Mr.. Grosvenor did not deign TO
make an extensive rejoinder. though he
displayed a lot of documents ana inti-
mated that he had plenty of reserve
in store for Nj. Lewis. The
Cramp bin was edged ont Of the way
after the flow of oratory ceased.
POSTOFFlCE APPROPRIATION
BILL.
When the House met the pending
question was on the moti)1 of MIR
Swanson to re-commit the POstoiuce
Appropriation bill with Instructions to
strike from the paragraph appropriate
ing 100000 for mail facilities in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands,
the words newly acquired territory"
The Democrats opposed ;his language.
TO avoid n Ioll call, which hal been
ordered. Mr. Loud, in charge of the
bill. asked unanimous consent that the
necessary. There was no objection. The
order for a roll call was vacated and
the bill was passed.
Just before the roll call in the after
noon, Speaker Reed put an end To the
specula ton regarding the chairman
ship of the Ways and Means Committee
by appointing Mr.. Payne Republican.
New York; 10 the vacancy caused by
the death of Mr.. Dingley. This carries
with it the floor leadership of the ma
jority. At the same time he filled theva-
cancies in the minority representation
on Ways and Means and Rules, caused
by the retirement of Mr.. McNIillin by
appointing Mr.. Richardson, OF Tennes-
see, to both places.
Mr.. Crumpaclker, of Indiana. was np-
pointed on census. An arrangement for
the consideration of the Army Reorgan-
iZation bill, beginning next Tuesday.
was made. Fifteen hours are to be al
lowed for general debate, exclusive Of
night sessions Tuesday. "Wednesday
and Thursday nights. n night session
was held tonight for pension legisla-
ton, and the House then adjourned
over until Monday.