The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-31
SENATE.

Washington, January S.-A spirited
debate was precipitated in the senate
today while the diplomatic and consul
lar appropriation bill was under con-
sideration. The appropriations COM
mittee was sharply criticised for not
providing adequate salaries for some Of
the consular officers and secretaries of
legations Of this government in foreign
countries and the parsimony Of the gov
ernment in this respect was denounced
as a disgrace.
Senator Hale was in charge of the
BILL and, despite his protests, several
amendments, increasing the salaries of
diplomatic officers, were incorporated
in the measure. The bill was passed,
carrying nearly $1,710,533, $4,000 more
than the amount carried by the meas
ure passed by the house.
A resolution of the legislature of
North Carolina, urging the election Of
senators by the people was presented
by Senator Butler.
Senator. Hale called up the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill.
Senator Bacon objected, as he had
given notice that he proposed at this
hour to call up his resolution regard
ing the Philippines and endeavor to fix
a time for a vote upon it.
Senator Chandler-DoeS the senator
desire to dispose Of his resolution to-
day?
Senator Bacon-Not if senatos object.
He went on to say that his resolu-
tion was ESSENTIALLY a practical docu-
pose of interfering with any other
business. "It will place the treaty of
peace" said he, where we can reach
a basis of agreement. If the resolutions
Were law they would entirely dissi-
pate the danger of war we are now in.
Ft is a most grave matter, Mr.. PreSi-
dent, and I hope the subject so will be
isregarded by the senate. "
Senator Hale replied that he was in
entire sympathy with the resolutions,
but he did believe an hour now and
then ought to be given to the appropri-
alton bills.
Senator Bacon yielded to the appro-
priation bill on the statement of Sena-
tor Hale that it's consideration would
occupy but a brief time.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, then
asked the senate to take a recess from
O'Clock until $3.50 in order to enable
senators to attend the funeral of ex-
Senator Garland, who died suddenly in
the siIEreme court on Thursday.
In this~ connection Senator Hoar, Of
Massachusetts, paid a high tribute to
Senator Garland's ability, and charac-
ter, as a citizen, lawyer and senator.
The recess was ordered.
The consular, and diplomatic bill was
then read, and after debate and amend
ment passed.
Senator Bacon called up his resolution
in accordance with the notice he had
given and it was laid before the senate.
Senator Platt, of Connecticut, doubted
the expediency of pressing the resolu-
tiOn to a vote at an early date. He
said he desired to submit some fur
ther remarks upon the several resOlu-
tiOnS pending.
Senator Mason suggested that still
several days would elapse before the
agreed-upon vote should be taken on
the treaty and that Senator Platt
would have ample time to present his
views.
The hour for the recess having ar
rived, Senator Bacon announced that
he would not at this time further press
the senate to fix a time to vote upon
his resolutions, but would leave them
pending.
At ? o'clock the senate took a recess
until $3.50 p. m.
AT $3.50 o'clock the senate re-conven-
ed and on motion Of Senator Davis,
cha irman Of the foreign relations COM
'mittee, went Immediately into execu-
tive session.
At sos the senate resumed considera-
tion of business in legislative session
Senator Mason offered a resolution
prefaced by the statement that reports
had been received that 'of late years as
high as so per cent of soldiers unac-
customed to the climate (of the Philip
pines) have died by reason of the saiC
climate" as follows:
That the surgeon general of the army
be requested to furnish for the informa
tion of the senate a statement as tt
the percentage of our soldiers who ar,
sick and have been lick and the mum
ber of deaths in our army by reason
of the sickness caused by the climat
and to set forth when, according to tn
generally accepted term, the sickly sea
son begins in the said islands; and fur
ther that he will give to the senat
the benefit Of his opinion as to tn
number of deaths that will occur il
our army before the end of the mex
sickly season, his opinion to be base'
upon his experience and information
within his possession"
Senator Hawley objected to the reso
luton and it went over
A bill amending the law relating t
the apportionment and election of rep
resentatives in congress so as to per
NIT the use of voting machines wa
passed.
At 5:25 p. m. the senate adjourne
until Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The house today continued the con
sderation of the army reorganizatio
bill until 2 o'clock when the member
paid their tributes to the memory @
the late Representative Simpkins, @
Massachusetts,.
Very little progress was made wit