The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-04
THE SENATE.
Haste and Confusion In the
Upper House.

have characterized this, the last legis-
lative day of the 55th congress in the
Senate.
At times the confusion was so great
in this usually staid and decorous body
as to render the transaction of bust
ness almost impossible. Business that
ordinarily would have the undivided
attention of every senator ON the floor
was transacted amid SO much noise
the proceedings.
Toward midnight order was being
evolved from the seeming chaos of the
early part of the day and evening, and
the prospect was fair that congress
would adjourn at noon tomorrow with
its absolutely necessary work COM
pleted.
When the Senate convened at II
o'clock this morning, it faced the task
of considering two of the great ap-
preparation bills, those for the army
and for supplying the general deticien-
cies.
The former carries appropriations ex-
ceeding $50 600, 900, and latter about $20,
600, 900. With a determination to COM
plete the appropriation bills the Sen
ate began Immediately at IL o'clock in
the morning, to consider these meas
ures, and at s o'clock tonight the army
bill was passed, the deficiency bill had
been passed nearly three hours before.
A conference report on the Alaska
criminal code bill was presented and
agreed to. A partial report on the sun
dry civil appropriation bill was agreed
TO, but the inability of the Senate con-
ferees to secure an agreement on the
Hawaiian cable proposition created a
hGn tod Il afsaI
Speaker Reed was alluded to in un-
complimentary terms.
At the opening of the Senate at IL
o'clock, Mr.. Mallory (Fla-) presented
the credentials of his colleague, Samuel
Pasco, appointed a senator by the gov
ernor of Florida to fill a vacancy un-
filled by the legislature The credentials
were filed
Mr.. Hale of Maine called up the gen
eral deficiency appropriation bin and
the Senate proceeded with its consider
alton. Temporarily, the general def
cheney bill was laid aside in order that
| some conference reports might be con-
| sidered. Mr.. Allison presented partial
conference report on the sundly civil
| bill 1T was read and aroused consider
able discussion, Mr.. Allison said there
| we're still % items in disagreement. The
| Senate amendment, which made appro
| priations for a large number of public
| buildings had been held up by the
| House conferees, who insisted that 1t
should contain provisions only for
buildings the bills for which had pass
ed both the House and Senate.
One of the important amendments
which the House conferees had declined
to accept was that providing for a Pa
cific cable. AS that amendment was
agreed to practically unanimously by
the Senate Mr.. Allison said the Senate
conferees decided to refer the matter
back to the Senate.
The refusal of the house conferees to
yield on the Hawaiian cable was dis
cussed at length
Mr.. PettigreW of South Dakota. did
not regard the Pacific cable as of over
whelming Importance. Mr.. Stewart
and Mr. Morgan considered the cable
amendment as the most important fea-
ture Of the sundry civil bill. Mr. Nor
gan said the cable would give the Unit
ed States control of intelligence in the
North Pacific ocean. The partial re-
quested another conference with the
House
At POS the Senate, on motion Of Mr..
Hale, went into executive session At
the conclusion of the executive session.
Mr.. Chiffon of Texas announced the
death OF John w. Crawford Of Texas.
Mr. Frye of Maine, chairman Of the
committee on commerce, presented the
hnal conference report on the river and
harbor bill. He consented to withhold
1t in order that consideration of the
general deficiency bill might be pro-
ceeded with.
Mr.. Hale offered an amendment an
propriating $3,000.000 as an emergency
fund to be expended by the president
at his discretion. The amendment was
accepted without debate or explana-
ton.
Many other amendments were offered
and ruled out on points of order.
Among the amendments agreed to were
the following: Providing two months
extra pay for the volunteer officers and
volunteer enlisted men Of the navy
who served beyond the United States
In the war with Spain, and one months
extra pay for similar officers and men
who served during that war only in
the United States; to reimburse the
Maritime Canal Company Of Nicaragua
for expenditures incurred in aid of the
Ludlow commission $4,000. The bill,
as amended, was passed.
A bill providing for a government ex-
hibit and to encourage the Ohio CEN
tennial and northwest territory exposi-
ton to be held at Toledo, and appro-
priating 100000, was passed.
Consideration of the army appropria-
ton bill was then begun. The few
amendments Of the Senate committee
to the bill were agreed to as reading
of the measure progressed.
Mr.. Warren, a member Of committee
on military affairs, offered an amend
ment providing that the adjutant gen
eral of the army should have the rank
and pay allowance OF major general.
Mr.. Pettigrew made a point of order
against the amendment that .t had not
been referred to the committee on app
preparations. The vice president held
the latter point to be Wen taken.
Mr. Foraker offered the same amend
ment restricting its application, how
ever, TO the present adjutant general.
Mr.. Pettus made point Of order
against it,, and was sustained by the
chair.
Mr.. Foraker then offered the follow
ing amendment: THAT no patents,
franchises or concessions OF any kind
whatever shall be granted by the
United States or by any military or
other authority whatever i'm the island
Of cuba during the occupation thereof
by the United States"
Mr. Lodge supported the amendment
II was important, he said, that this
country should be absolutely free from
all imputations OF fayoritism in the adj
minlstration OF the affairs Of Cuba To
pursue a course calculated to prevent
this imDutation, was to strengthen the
presidents hand and not to cast an i'm |
putation, as had been charged.
The vote was then taken on the |
amendment and it carried Al TO II. The |
bill as amended Was then passed |
without division.