The Portland daily press., 1899-01-06

Confederate Veterans Protest Against
the Pension Bill of Senator Butler
senator Hoar Wants TO Know About
Instruction of Peace Commission.
Washington, January 5.-Little busi-
ness except OF a routine character was
transacted by the Senate today. A reso.
luton offered by MIR. Hoar Of Massachu-
setts, directing the committee on foreign
relations to report to the Senate whether
the treaty Of Paris makes any provision
for the claims of citizens Of the United
States against Spain which were in ex-
istence before the present war and the
status of such claims after the ratification
of the treaty was adopted.
Mr.. Caffrey OF Louisiana continued and
practically concluded his speech begun
before the holiday recess in opposition to
the pending Nicaragua canal bill.
In the absen 70 of the Vice President on
account of Illness, MIR. Frye of Maine,
presided at the opening Of today's session
of the Senate.
Mr.. Berry presented protest from the
j. L. Murray Camp of Confederate
veterans of Arkansas, against the adoption
Of Che proposed amendment of Senator
Butler 20 the pension appropriation bill
providing for the payment VI pensions TO
Confederate soldiers.
MIR. Berry said the mem bers of the
camp deemed 1t unwise to adopt such a
proposition. They say, said MIR. Berry,
that they have provided for themselves
and their families for more than gener-
alton, and they regard such proposition
AS that of MIR. Buffers as ungracious
Mr. Hoar gave notice that on Monday
next he would address the Senate on the
resolution offered by MIR. Vest relating to
the acquisition Of foreign territory by the
United states, his address being reply
to that delivered by MIR. Platt. just before
the holiday recess.
MIR. Gaffrey announced that he would
address the Senate tomorrow on the reso-
luton offered by MIR. Vest
A joint resolution providing for sur
vey of the Penobscnt river near Bucksport
Narrows, Me-, was adopted
Mr. Hoar introduced u resolution re-
questing the President, II in his Judgment
not incompatible with the public interest,
to communicates TO the Senate all instruc-
tions given by him to the commissioners,
who negotiated the treaty OF Paris, all
CORRESPONDENCE between the executive and
state department and the commissioners
and all rel orts made by the commissioners
either to the President or state depart
ment.
At the request OF Mr.. Davis, one Of the
peace comm ssioners, the resolution went
over. MIR. Hoar then proposed the follow.
ing resolution, which was adopted:
"Ihat the committee on foreign rela-
tions he directed TO inquire and to report
10 the Senate whether the proposed treaty
with Spain makes any provision for
claims OF citizens of the United States
against Spain which were In existence
before the present war the extent and
NUN or of such claims and what shall be
the legal condition of the same after peace
shall nave been deolared.
AIR. Pettigrew called up bill to ratify
agreement with the Indians on the lower
brule and Rosebud reservations In South
Dakota and making necessary appropria-
tions
MIR. Platt of Connecticut moved TO
strike out of the bill, that part of section
two which provided for the free settie-
ment of the indian lands.
MIR Pettigrew accepted the amendment
under protest and 1t was agreed to by the
senate. lhe bill was then passed.
In the course of his REMARKS Mr.. Petit
grew declared his intention OF brin ing
at the earliest possible date.
bill granting to the State OF Cali
forpia five per cent of the net proceeds OF
the cash purchase of public lands in said
state was passed
The senate till providing for the classi
fication of clerks In the first and second
class post offices was passed. The bill
also fixes salaries. 1t divides the clerks
in first Glasses into eight grades at salaries
ran ling from $500 to 5000
The Nicaragua canal bill was taken up
and Mr. Caffrey continued his speech in
opposition to the bill.
SIR Caffrey devoted his remarks
asserting that the bill sought TO do by In.
direction what the treaty prohibits doing
directly.
Mr. Caffrey said in reply to question
from MIR White that 1t was his opinion
that If the United States should build the
canal under the pending bill in the face
of the treaty, the canal would be absolute
ly neutral and Great Britain would have
every right to use the canal in time OF
war. He thought the treaty should be
abro 2ated and that the United States
should construct the canal independently
of the Maritime company. MIR. White ex-
pressed the opinion that the interests of
the human race demand the construct ion
of the canal but said that in proceeding
he should have due rcIard for all in
terests. He thought however, that we
ought to be able to devise scheme for
proceeding with the construction OF the
canal without infringing upon the rights
to other nations and intimated that the