Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-01-20
THECANAL MEASURE
The Senate Devotes Almost the En-
tire Day to the Bill.
The NAVY PERSONNEL BILL PASSED.
The House Agrees On the Measure E7Ethsas
Observation-Disclosures for Dischzrg1nz
Volunteers-Greater American
Exposition at Omaha

/ cOAf JAN 4o-A1lkOSE b0S
entire session of the senate yesterday
was devoted to consideration of the
pending Nicaragua canal bill. Speeches
were made in support of the measure
by Senator Chiffon, of Texas, and Sem
ator Turner, of Washington, and in
opposition to it by Senator Spooner.
of Wisconsin. At three o'clock con-
sideration of the bill under the is
minute rule was begun and was con-
| tinued to the close of the session At
the opening of the session Of the SEN
ate Senator Davis, chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, gave
notice that the next morning, immedi-
ately upon the conclusion of routine
business, he would move that the sem
ate go into executive session.
Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota,
offered a resolution relating to the
| claims of the loyal Seminole Indians
and it was adopted.
Senator Turner gave notice that on
Thursday after morning business he
would address the senate upon the
Vest resolution.
The resolution of Senator Hoar de-
claring the Filipinos ought to be free
and independent was laid before the
senate, but at the request of Senator
A4CG1 ~ !" over, dS he SdlQ ne QSSlE0Q
at u more convenient time to address
the senate upon it.
Senator Butler, of North Carolina,
presented petition from IS ex-con-
federates of Muscogee county, Ga,
asking him not to abandon his bill for
pensioning ex-confederate soldiers
They say that they are citizens of the
United States and that while they par
ticipated on the confederate side of
the war between the states this war
was not rebellion They refer to
President McKiniey's recent express
sions favorable to the care OF the south
ern dead as the expressions of a "true
patriot" and conclude: I'VE therefore
hope you will press your bill and that
congress will pass the same and by so
doing show to the world that we are q
reunited people. We desire this not
as mendicants for q pension, but in re-
Spouse to the grand and patriotic sem
uments of our president, and as voic-
ing the sentiments of every true pa
triot who loves his country and respects
the valor of the dead confederate SOL
diers."
THE NAVY PERSONNEL BILL Is PASSED.
Washington, Jan. Is. = The house
passed the naval personnel bill with
thus accomplishing what the officers
of the navy have striven for dur
ing more than a decade. By its pro-
visions the line and the engineer corps
are welded into an amalgamated line.
Staff officers are given positive rank.
but their command is limited to their
own corps, and a system of volun-
tary and compulsory retirement
on three-quarters pay as of the
next higher rank OF 40 off,
GERS a year is established, which
is designed to remove the congestion
in the lower rank at As. The bill also
practically equalizes their pay with
that of army officers. Three impor-
tant amendments were adopted;S one
creates a Judge advocates corps, an
other abolishes prize money, and the
third provides for the retirement on
three-quarters pay of enlisted men and
petty officers in the navy after so years
service. But the most important
change in the bill as reported was the
adoption after q hard fight of q substi-
tute for the organization of the ma
rine corps by which the corps is to
consist of 6, 900 enlisted men and petty
officers, with general officers and staff.
This will increase the marine corps by
3sOOO LACA anu AHCEcdSc bnc COSb Oh us
maintenance 81, 500. O00-
Several unimportant bills were
passed by unanimous consent before
the personnel bill was taken up
Mr.. Lentz, of Ohio, introduced a res
| olution providing for the discharge of
| such volunteers as entered the service
for the war with Spain 1t also pro-
vides that troops to the number of 49,
600 may be raised among the natives
of the islands acquired by the United
States
Mr.. Mercer. of Observation-Disclosures
resolution relating to the Greater
American exposition to be held at
| Omaha this year. It states that the
buildings and property used in the ex-
hibition of 1895 have been purchased
by company WHICH proposes to con-
duct an exposition on national lines
without expense to the government;
exhibits are to be brought from Cuba,
Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Ladrone is
lands and the Philippine islands The
resolution provides for the appoint
ment by the president of a board of
management to consist of not less than
six members who shall be charged
with the selection. etc, of exhibits
The secretary of the treasury is direct
ed to provide for the holding of con-
gress of American Indians, and the va
rious departments are to place at the
| disposal of the board of management
such exhibits SIS are deemed necessary.
The cooperation of the governments
| of the world is to be reouested