The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-07
THE LAST LEGISLATIVE DAY
The Fifty-fifth Congress
Nearing Its End.
ALL MIGHT SESSIONS

prfauon Bills sui I'm Conference at
2 O'clock This Morning Exciting
Scenes Of b Closing Session
SENATE.
Washington, March 3.-When the
senate convened in its last executive
session at IL o'clock today more than
the usual number of senators were on
the floor. Morning business was sus-
ceeded Immediately to business look
ing TO adjournment.
Senator Mallory, of Florida, present
ed the credentials Of his colleague,
Samuel Pasco, appointed senator by the
governor OF Florida to fill a vacancy
untitled by the legislature. The Gre
dentials were filed, Senator Plat, OF
Connecticut, dissenting from the con-
s~titutionality of the appointment.
Senator Allison presented a partial
conference report on h sundry civil
bill. 1t "a read and aroused consid-
cradle discussion.
Senator Morgan denounced what he
termed the log rolling" regarding pub
lie buildings, declaring that the action
of the ruler Of the house was a fraud
and an outrage. Il saw" said he,
bills passed by the senate in such a
hurry that many of the names Of the
cities could not be understood by sena-
tors. l want to protest against that
sort of legislation. I know where the
incentive Of this performance comes
from. l know the origin of that wrong.
l Know the man who inspired it. His
will and pleasure was to max fair
weather for a particular Set of men
who are favorites Of the particular
ruler of the house."
The refusal of the house conferees to
yield on the Hawaiian cable was dis
cussed at length. Senator Butler, Of
North Carolina, spoke in support of the
senate conferees n was followed by
Senator Chandler, who expressed the
hope the senate conferees would I'd
here to the senate's proposition even
if an extra session were thereby
forced. There are some things" he
said, worse than an extra session of
congress-"
Senator Stewart and Senator Morgan
considered the cable amendment as the
most important feature of the sundry
civil bill.
Senator Morgan said the cable would
give the United States control Of in
telligence in the north Pacific ocean.
He declared the contest in the confer
ence report against the senate amend
ment was a war in favor of monop-
ily," and he knew, he said, who was
responsible for it.
The partial report was agreed to and
the senate requested another confer
ence with the house.
Snator Frye, of Maine, chairman of
ed the final conference report on the
river and harbOr bill. He consented to
withhold it in order hat consideration
of the general deficiency bill might be
proceeded with. The bill after some
amendments were adopted was passed.
Consideration of the army appropri-
alton bill was begun. The few amend
mentS to the senate committee to the
bill We're agreed to as the reading of
the measure proceeded. Consideration
of the army bill "a suspended to ena-
BILE Senator Hale to present a partial
conference report or the naval appro-
priation bill. He explained that none
of the seriously contested questions
such as the price of armor, were incor-
porated in the report. The senate fur
ther insisted upon it's amendments and
asked for a new conference.
The debate on the army a%ppropria-
ton bill was then resumed.
Senator Foraker then offered the
amendment of which he gave notice
few days since, declaring against the
granting of franchise in Cuba, Omittine
the portions relating to the Withdrawal
of the United States troops in the is
land.
Senator Sewell made the point of or.
der hat the amendment was not rele'
want, but he was overruled by a viva
voce vote, and the amendment wa:
adopted.
Senator Tillman offered an amend.
ment which was agreed to, providing
that the act Of January II, 1899, be 81
amended as to authorize the paymen
to the legal heirs or representatives o
the officers or men who have died O.
may hereafter die in the service tn,
extra pay due them under the law.
The bill as amended was then passei
without division.
At the conclusion of the reading o
the report Senator Frye in answer t
a question by Senator Carter said tina
the appropriation for the reservoirs a
the headwaters of the Missouri rive
for irrigation purposes had been strick
en- from the bill
Senator Carter addressed the senat
at length on the action of the COME
enCe, maintaining the vast mpOrldnc
TO the entire western and souther-
country of constructing the reservoir:
Pending further debate upon tn
construction of the reservoirs the con
ference report on the Alask crimina
code bill was presented and agreed Il
1t now goes to the president.
The river and harbor bill was agai
taken up and Senator Mantle entere
a motion to recoramit the bill TO tn
conference committee with the idea G
securing a recession of the house cor
ferees on the reservoir proposition.
n motion rouse Senator Frye,
charge of the bill, and he took the fioo
and made an imprisoned. though brie
speech upon the motion. The motto
to recommit was DEBATED % TO Al
At the instance of Senator Alliso
another conference on the District {
Columbia appropriation bill was az
coded to by the senat
), At l o'clock senator Morgan onere
a joint resolution which he believe
would determine the pending contrt
versy yer the irrigation proposition
The resolution provided that all publ
lands classed as arid or semi-arid
the several states be granted to II
states in which the lands are and II
net proceeds Of those lands when SO