The Somerset reporter., 1899-12-14
National Capital.

Jhe House, Friday, adopted special
order for the consideration of the cur
rency bill, beginning next Monday. By
the terms of the order the general de-
bate will continue until Friday. On
Saturday, amendments may be offered
under the mile rule, and on the fol-
lowing Monday the vote will be taken.
The Democrats, Populists and Silverites
presented solid front against the adop-
ton of the resolutions and every Repub-
lcan voted for it.
One of the important bills to people
of Augusta ana of the Kennebec valley
was introduced by Representative Bur
leigh on the opening day of the session.
This is the bill to enlarge the Augusta
postoffice.
In the biennial drawing for seats all
the Maine members were fortunate to
secure very good desks for the next two
years. Governor Burleigh, who in the
last Congress was compelled to sit in
what is called the "Cherokee Strip" off
to the southeast corner of the House
and next to the Democrats, was the first
of the Maine men called and he selected
a fine seat on the center aisle. This
seat is within two rows of the rear, but
while Governor Burleigh could have
chosen a seat further down, he prefer
red to take the one little further back.
This was at the request of Representa-
tive Burton of Ohio, an influential man
in the House, who wanted Governor
Burleigh as his seatmate. Representa-
tives Allen and Littlefield chose their
seats further to the right on the Repub-
lican side and sit close to each other in
the same row.
The debate on the financial bill began,
Monday. Overstreet of Indiana leading
it. 1t will continue through the week
and vote will be taken Monday next.
Among the bills introduced by Repre-
sentative Burleigh is one for the relief
of Lena E. Patterson which was referred
to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.
He has also introduced bill to relieve
from certain clouds on his discharge
papers Gustavus Cooley of Scion, Maine !;
also for the relief of the owners of the
brig Abby Allen. He has introduced in
the House a bill that Senator Frye has
offered in the Senate for the relief of
the estate of George w. Lawrence.
Nearly every member has presented
petitions relating to the Roberts case.
The position of the New York Demo-
Gratis of the House on the pending finan
cial bill, brought about much canvassing
Monday, and there was talk that a con
ference had been held by those who will
support the bill. This was denied, how
ever, although there was considerable
informal talk among that element favor
able to the bill
The opposition to General Wheeler's
taking his seat as a member of the
House from Alabama is to be renewed
by Representative Bailey of Texas,
whose resolutions last year brought out
report from the House judiciary com.
mittee that military and a COMPRESSION.
al office could not be held at the same
time. General Wheeler is now in the
Philippines, but in consequence of that
it has been understood that he will re-
turn and take his seat.
The announced intention of Mr..
Mason of Illinois, to address the Senate
Monday, on his resolution expressing
the sympathy of the Senate with the
South African republic in their war
with Great Britain, drew a large audi
ence to the Senate galleries. He adj
dressed the Senate for an hour and %
minutes He was not interrupted III
the course of his speech. His speech
was long and was delivered with char
acteristic vehemence. His resolution
was sent to the committee on foreign
affairs.
BY direction of the President, Major
General Leonard Wood, u. S. ", was
Wednesday. assigned to the command
of the division of Cuba, relieving Major
John r. Brooke, U. S. A. NJ jor Gen.
eral Wood will in.addition to his duties
as division commander, exercise the au-
thority of military governor of the is
land.
The President sent to the Senate,
Wednesday, the names William D. By
nun of Indiana, to be general appraiser
of merchandise; Charles M. Moses, col.
hector of customs for the districts of
Portland and Falmouth, Me.
The House spent hours, Wednesday,
debating the financial bill.