Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-02-02
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

| Washington, Jan. 24.-The entire
executive session of the senate was de.
voted wholly to a discussion of the
| promotion of Admirals Sampson and
/ 5chley and other naval officers en-
gagged in the Santiago campaign over
| the heads OF officers who were theil
superiors in rank. The controversy
was then postponed for 20 days. Sena.
! tor German and Wellington Of
| Maryland, one republican and the
other democrat united in the
first attack upon the navy de-
partment for fayorlng Sampson over
Sthley, while Senators Lindsay, Petit
grew, Perkins and Money attacked t-.e
whole system OF promotion as a 'spe-
cies Of fayoritism which is not war
ranted by facts" The method OF
the administration was defended by
Messrs. Hale, Chandler and Lodge
Mr.. Wellington was especially zeal
Gus in advocacy Of the claims OF Ad-
miral Schley and in his presentation
Of the reasons why Admiral Sampson
should not be preferred over him,
and both he and his democratic col
league, Mr.. German made the state
that il the official papers were or
d, ed they would demonstrate beyond
possible question the fact that Sehley
and not sampson fought the battle of
Santiago Mr.. Lindsay found much in
promotion of both Schley and Samp-
son over Commodore Watson to con-
denim. Messrs Perkins, Plass Conn
and Pettigrew also criticised the sys-
teen as one liable to result in unfair
ness unless very cautiously entered
upon. Messrs. Hale and Chandler
both members of the naval committee,
defended the action of the navy de-
partment in giving preference to the
men who took upon themselves the
brunt of the battle in the Atlantic
waters and in preferring the man who
was IL command of the feet. They
deprecated the opening up Of the con-
troversy, which Senator Chandler said
might lead to a condition which might
prove as unsayory as that which the
war investigating commission had de-
veloped In connection with the army
beef contracts.
Mr.. Cullom introduced a bill grant
ing a pension of 500 per month to ex-
Senator John M. Palmer on account OF
his services as major general during
the civil war
Washington Jan. 24--In the house
the major portion of the day was de-
voted to District of Columbia legisla-
ton The only action of public impor-
lance was the passage of the bill 20
extend the navigation laws of the
United States to the Hawaiian islands
One of the provisions of the bin grants
an American register to all vessels
Aying the Hawaiian flag and owned
by Hawaiian citizens July Z, 1898.
Mr., Clarke rep, Ia introduced a
bill providing that mo person living
or practicing polygamy shall be eligi-
BILE to be a member of either Of the
houses, nor shall such person be per-
mitted to hold seat therein" An
other provision makes the act take
immediate effect.
The majority report on the Ha-
waian bill was filed by Chairman
Knox, Of the committee on territories,
with the bill as changed in the COM
mittee The changes do not vary the
essential features of the measure sub
mltted by the Hawaiian commission.
The report states that in substance a
territorial form of government is es-
tablished for Hawaii, as nearly like
that of the other territories as the To-
cation of the islands, their physical
condition and the character of the peo-
pie will permit. An amendment is
proposed making all the laws OF the
Hawaiian legislature subject to the APP
prevail or disapproyal of the United
States congress. The property quail
tication with some modification, is re-
tanned in the bill The report speaks
favorably of the extension of the Eng
lish language in Hawaii.
During the open session Mr., White
dem, COLI made a lengthy speech
against expansion.
Washington, Jan. 25.-The principal
speeches of the debate on the peace
treaty in the senate we're made for the
treaty by Messrs. Teller and Frye and
by Mr. Hoar in opposition No con-
clusion was reached.
Washington, Jan 25.--In the house
the debate on the army reorganiza-
tiou bin opened
Washington. Jan. 26.-The senate
held two executive sessions and at
each the treaty was the subject under
discussion. A unanimous agreement
was reached to vote on the treaty Feb.
8. Senator Davis presented the Ameri-
can commissioners reasons for their
acceptance OF the treaty in the form
i'm which il was finally concluded. He
also offered an amendment to the
sundry civil bill appropriatins 500
100000 to pay Spain according to the
terms of the treaty The amendment
l...e Fl,s y,3.,.r...,.v.t Of en-, ,1t,,