The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1899-03-04
PROCEEDINGS Of CONGRESS
DISCUSS NATIONAL AFFAIRS



Latest Press Dispatchss-Motions aud
Amendments-Debate
Monday Senator Frye absolutely denied
the statement by Senator Vest that the
president had telegraphed the Paris peace
commissioners to take nothing less than
ithe island Of Luzon, as Puerto Rico was
worth only $40,OOO,OOO and would not be
sufficient war indemnity.
1t was decided to antagonize the house
increase for the navy and the committee
will recommend only six new war vessels
instead OF II, provided for in the house
bill.
i The president today sent the following
nominations OF postmasters to the senate:
Washington-noward M. Spaulding,
Goldendale; George Sinclair, Ritzville; H..
j.. Nicely, Wilbur.
}. men the senate convened Tuesday
Senator Frye, chairman Of the committee
OH commerce, reported the shipping sub.
sidy bill with good many restrictive
amendment" 1t took the place on the
calendar OF the bill OF the same title pre-
viously reported.
Mr. Morgan secured adoption of the res
olution continuing the select committee Of
the Nicaragua canal and authorizing it to
hold sessions during the recess Of congress.
i Bills were passed us follows: Establish.
ing branch home Of the national home
for disabled volunteer soldiers and sail
ors in Charleston, South Carolina; regu-
lating postage on letters of the blind in
point or raised characters, making them
third class matter; authorizing the presi.
dent to appoint to the naval academy act.
ing naval cadets who served during the
war with spain.
One OF the first acts Of the session ol
the senate Wednesday was the considera
, ton Of the bill carrying $20,OO0,0OO with
which to pay Spain for relinquishing ths
Philippines. Senator Allison reported ths
measure from the committee on appro
priations and the bill was passed without
a word of debate.
{ Senator Cullom delivered speech OF
the work Of the Hawaiian commission ant
Senator Allen delivered his valedictory
after which consideration Of the nava
appropriation bill began.
The conference report on the bill au
thorizing governors of states to be reim
bursed for expenses incurred in raising an,
: equipping the volunteer army was agreed
to Thursday.
The conference report on the naval per
sonncl bill was agreed to. The bill re
ported by Senator Hawley, OF the militar.
affairs committee, amending the act, sus
pending the operation OF certain provis
Ions OF law relating to the war depart
> ment, was passed.
The senate passed the Alaska code bill
The indications from the conference OF
the river and harbor bill are that com
promise on the Nicaragua canal amend
ment will be agreed to-.
1t seems to have been determined tina
some canal legislation will be passed.
i The commission of George Dewey to b.
(, admiral of the navy has been made ou
!, at me navy department and sent to tn
!, White House, to be in readiness when tn
bill creating the Office of admiral is signet
by the president
8 In the House.
e The senate bill, granting q right of wa.
through the Nez Perce Indian reservation
to the Clearwater Short Line railroad was
passed. also the senate bill to compensate
;. certain persons for private property in the
Yellowstone park.
The conference report on the bill for {
uniform practice in granting rights Of wa,
!. : across Indian reservations, was agreed to
:. The house passed the army appropria
= ton bill.
Chairman Burton stated, after meeting
% of the river and harbor committee, tha1
the sentiment of the country ordered thu
Nicaragua canal amendment anu fav0ret
government construction OF both the Pan
" anna and Nicaragua routes.
: The joint resolution was passed by th'
+ house Tuesday to authorize .oreign gov
IS ernments desiring to make exhibits at th'
{ commercial exposition to be held at Phil
. adelphia in 1899, to bring into this coun
try foreign laborers under contract to pre-
pare the exhibits.
The house military committee ha.
agreed to accept the senate army bill
without amendment Wednesday.
j. The conference report on the omnibus
l. claims bill was agreed to. The confer
a ence report on the census bill was ais
J. adopted.
+ There was great scramble for unani
nous consent when the house met Thurs
day. With the end Of congress 4S hour
off, almost every member had some loca
scheme he was trying to save from dealt
n on the calendar, and they stood in tn
e area in front of the speakers rostrum tel
v deep clamoring for recognition Bill
g were passed as follows:
e To authorize the secretary of the treas
n ury to donate life saving apparatus t
the imperial japanese society for savin
life from shipwreck, and a series of bill
authorizing various officers of the gov
l. ernment to accept decorations from fol
l. eign governments.
The resolutions to declare Genera
Wheeler and other representatives hold
1 ing army commissions to have vacate
:. their seats in the house was called up te
day by Mr.. Henderson of Iowa. By vot