Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-04
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January 4.

SENATE.
The Senate was called to order to-
day by Senator Frye, Vice President
Hobart not being present. Chaplain
Milburn in the prayer alluded to the
death of Senator Morrill,. Mr.. White,
OF California, was in his seat for the
first time this session. The Presidents
secretary appeared in the chamber just
before the Senate met with package.
AS soon as the prayer was over Mr..
Davis moved to dispense with the read
ing OF the journal, knowing that the
package sent from the White House,
was the treaty of peace with Spain.
Then, on motion of Mr.. Davis, the
Senate went into executive session.
The executive session lasted less than
four minutes.
When the doors were again thrown
open, Mr.. Allison announced the death
of Senator Morrill,. He referred to the
fact that the deceased had a longer con
tinuous service in the Senate than any
one since the foundation of the govern
ment. When the holiday recess was
taken. Mr. Morrill, was in his ssat, as
he had been every day since the present
session commenced. His mind was
clear and vigorous up to the day OF his
fatal illness.
After a touching but brief eulogy,
Mr.. Allison offered the customary reso
lutions, and at 1915 o'clock the Senate
as further mark Of respect 10 the
memory of the deceased, adjourned un
til TO. morrow.
The peace treaty in executive session.
was referred to the foreign relations
committee. The Senators who served
on the peace commission were warmly
greeted by their associates, regardless
of political division.
HOUSE.
The House was called to order by
Speaker Reed. The Chaplain offered
d special prayer for Mr.. Dingley's re-
covery.
The special order of the day, the
Alaskan bill, was taken up and Il
wrangle between Mr. Bailey of Texas,
and MIR. Warner, OF Illinois, epsueo
over the question of debate, the former
wanting Two hours on each side, the
latter wanting debate limited to five
minute speeches. The two hour plan
was adopted.
A long discussion came up over the
section relating to the threatened use
of firearms.
Several gentlemen demanded that
the word loaded be inserted, claim
ing that firearms that are not loo ded
are not menace to life. Others assert
ed that there is just as much terror
concealed in an unloaded gun as one
that is filled 10 the muzzle. Seversi
were anxious to relate incidents of IN
loaded revolvers doing great execution
The amendment to insert LOADED" was
lost. 1t will therefore be q crime TO
point harmless pistol at your neigh
Dor in Alaska after the bill becomes q
law.
Mr.. Moody objectel to the bill be-
cause it violates principles of criminal
law and the constitution of the nation.
"As this is practically the first legisla
lion of the government of the new
colonies, it is very important that we
start right: This bill says nothing about
upholIlng existing laws and the SEN
fences passed by then and the result
! will be that criminals there will be SCI.
scot free"
MIR. Warner, one OF the trainers OF the
bill, offered an amendment to the docu-
ment.
Mr.. Moody was much relieved there
by, but then attacked it on its liquor
side. The only bar placed is that none
shall be sold to Indians. at makes
Tree rum in Alaska" be cried; "a man
may import all they want and sell it
365 days in the year"
AIR. Warner again got up with
another amendment and Or. Moody
was again Modified.
Mr., Maddox, of Georgia, thought
that the puui5hments laid down by the
bill for crimes committed in Alaska
were excessive. "With these remarks
1 will yield to the gentleman from
Washington"
An expectant silence followed. Mr..
Jones, OF Washington, did not take the
floor and Mr.. Maddox remarked that
"the gentleman from Washington does
not seem to be ready" amid ripple OF
laughter.
Mr.. Warner offered amendments
modifying the excessive punishments.
Mr.. Grosvenor thought the system OF
selecting jurors in capital cases in his
State ought to be adopted in Alaska.
Mr.. Little objected TO the section
denominatiDg as mapslaughter, the
crime OF inducing another TO commit
suicide in the territory. He wanted to
amend it by adding the words murder
or" The House did not adopt this
and Mr.. Little finally decided to put
the crime at murder in the second de-
gree, which was accepted.
AS the discussion proceeded the
House thinned out gradually and by 2
o'clock only SO members were in their
seats. a few lounged in and out Of
the cloak rooms, but the subject Of
crime in Alaska did not interest them.
QUEER TRIAL OF AN UNHAPPY
LovER.-Both in the northern and
western islands of Scotland the natives
have some peculiar customs unfamiliar
to the jewellers on the mainland, says
London Sketch" One of these, known
as the marriage test" is practiced in
the Island of st. Kilda, where the
population barely exceeds one hun
bred. The desire among the islanders
to increase this number does not
appear to be exceptionally strong,
and every man before he is deem
ed suitable for a husband, has TO