Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-02-04
EXPANSION PROBLEM
Senate Came Near Having q Test
Vote on the Matter.
TIE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL Up.

| 50 ---
The House Enters Upon Its Consideration
and Com .Istes 80 of the 90 Pages
About Cougres men Holding Conn.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Financial mn.
| Washington, Feb. a-Fora few min
utes In the senate yesterday Afternoon
1t seemed likely that q vote might b
taken ON one or more Of the resolu
tions relating to expansion that mr.
pending before that body. An unusua
large number Of republican senator
was In attendance, all Of them having
been notified to be present in the even
OF q critica; vote on the pending ques
ton. Senator Bacon, of Georgia, has
called up his resolution, and Senate
Chandler. Of New Hampshire, hat
withdrawn his motion TO refer then
to the committee on foreign relations
Senator sullivan, OF Mississippi, hat
entered motion to substitute his res
olutions for those Of Senator Bacon
while Senator Davis, chairman Of the
foreign relations committee, hat
announced that he was willing
that a vote should be taken i'm
inediately. As II was evident, how
ever, that vote on the resolution
and amendments could not be taker
before two o'clock-the hour fixed By
unanimous consent for the senate Il
go into executive session-Senatoi
Bacon asked for unanimous consent
that vote taken at 1880 o'clock the
next day. To this request Senator
Carter, OF Montana, objected and the
whole question was left suspended
Senator Rawlins, OF Utah, addressed
the senate upon the Vest anti-expan'
sion resolution, devoting the greater
part of his time to n defense OF his
proposition that the constitution ap'
plies as well to the people of our terri
tories as to those OF the states.
Senators Teller and Hoar were the
speakers in the executive session.
Senator Teller made set speech In
support Of the treaty and Senator
Hoar replied. Both went over much
ground that had been covered before.
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
Washington. Feb. a-The house en-.
tered upon the consideration Of the
river and harbor bill yesterday. and
made rapid progress. Fifty Of the IS
pages of the bill had been completed
when the house adjourned. The bill
appropriates directly about SIG, 500, 900,
and authorizes contracts to the extent
Of Sis, 900, 900 additional. The general
debate was unusually brief. Its fea-
ture was speech in opposition to the
bill by Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, who
has fought every river and harbor bill
for the last six years. He said he
knew his opposition would avail moth.
ing, Us the votes for its passage had
been arranged for by the appropria-
tions in the bill. He attacked particu.
larly the Mississippi river improve.
ment. which was ably defended by
Mr.. Catchings, Of Mississippi.
coYGRRssMEN HOLDING COMMISSIONS
Washington. Feb. "A special meet.
ing OF the Judiciary committee Of the
house was held yesterday to pass upon
the inquiry ordered by the house rs 10
the right of me mbers to hold commits
sions in the army and other offices,
but after an unusually long session
adjourned until to-day without reach.
ing conclusion. Although the COM
mittee passed resolution enjoining
secrecy on members, II Is understood
that the discussion showed q disposi.
tion to extend the word office" SO rs
10 include not only members holding
army appointments but also those
serving on various commissions II is
said no vote was taken as to the status
of Gen. Wheeler or any other individ-
ual member Of the house. Later in
the day II was understood on the floor
OF the house that the discussion in
committee had developed practical
unanimity against those. members of
the house holding army commissions
and that the postponement was for the
purpose of considering whether MEM
bers on civil commissions appointed
by the president were to be included.
1t has been practically decided that
members serving on the postal and in.
dustrial commissions will not be dis
turbed.
THE BRosIUs FINANCIAL BILL REPORTED.
Washington, Fe6 "A favorable
report on what Is known as the Bro
sius bill. covering financial features in
line with those recommended in
the presidents message, was made
Yesterday by Representative Van
Voorhees, on behalf Of the committee
on banking and currency. As to the
provision allowing banks to issue cir
culation up TO par value OF bonds de-
posted instead OF 90 per cent
of the bonds, as At present, the report
states that the change would add to
the circulation ss8, 644,5s4 The 70.
port urges that II this bill becomes .
law, there will be an increase In the
amount Of circulation issued when
the demands of business require II,
and thus distinct benefit will come
to the banks and to the community,
without in the slightest degree en-
dangerinR note holders Concerning
the provision placing the bank tax on
capital, surplus asd undivided profits
instead OF circulation, as ut present,
the report says the tax on capital will
yield s., 4Os, 95S, as against q, Ill, $50 on
circulation.