The Somerset reporter., 1900-03-08
At Washington.

nomination of oil. ". S. Metcalf, goth
Kansas Volunteer Infantry, to DE briga-
der general by brevet.
Senator Pettus of Alabama, has intro
duced number of amendments 10 the
Puerto Rican bill, which include free
trade with the island, reducing the Pres
idents power over the revenue and
changing the bill in various other fea-
lures.
Rev. VIM. r. Campbell of Utah, was
examined, saturday, by the House sub
committee investigating the charges that
certain Federal sppointees are polyga-
mists. He said it WAS matter of com
mon repute that John G. Graham, the
postmaster at Provo, Utah, maintained
polygamous relations and had children
by plural wives. Similar testimony was
given as to Orson Smith, lately post
master at Logan, Utah. The cross ex.
animation WAS directed mainly to show
ing that the witness had no personal
knowledge of the facts and spoke only
from general hearsay.
On Friday last within two hours after
special message from the President
recommending the immediate passage of
bill to place in his hands all the
LuOuclb COiiCCtCu upon uCIlO hiCdu
goods since the Spanish evacuation of
the island, to be used for the relief of
the Puerto Ricans, had been read to the
House, the House had passed and sent
to the senate a bill to carry out the
recommendation. The message came
like bolt out of a clear sky to the
minority. They were at first inclined to
hail it with delight as a reproof of the
40 Cor he. Of ha
Rican tariff bill, v ednesday. The Re.
publican leaders, however, had bill
ready to carry the Presidents recon-.
mendations into effect. Cannon asked
immediate consideration for the bill and
this was given. 1t was only when the
debate opened, it having been agreed
that under the lead of Mr. Bailey of
Texas, the Democrats began lining up
against the bill because it placed no
limitation upon the Presidents discre
ton in the use of the money. The bill
was passed by vote of 1872 to 107, IL
Democrats, two Populists and two Silver
Republicans voting the Republicans con
frmative.
In the Senate, Monday, the seating of
Quay and the conference report in the
financial bill was discussed.
Hon. Thos r. Bard, The recently
elected Senator from taifornia, was
presented to the senate when it conven-
ed by his colleague, Perkins He was
conducted TO the desk of Perkins and
the oath was administered by President
Pro lem Frye.
In the House, the most important bills
passed was one to ratify treaty with
the Comanche, Kiowa and Apache In
dians and open their lands for settle
ment and one to authorize the secretary
of the interior to negotiate with the
kiowa and omanches for a neutral
strip in Oklahoma.
Senator Lodge, chairman of the Senate
committee on Philippines, has reported
bill agreed upon by that committee,
which in substance provides, that when
all Instruction against the sovereignty
and authority of the United states in
the Philippines acquired from spain by
the treaty concluded at Paris on the
10th day of December, 1898, shall have
been completely suppressed by the mill
tary and naval forces the power to
govern the said islands shall, until other
wise provided by ongress, be vested in
such person or persons, and shall be
exercised in such manner, as the Presi-
dent OF the United States shall direct
for maintaining and protecting the in
hahitants of said islands in the free
enjoyment of liberty, property and re-
ligion.
The financial bill as agreed upon by
the committee of conference of the
House and Senate, passed the Senate,
Tuesday, by a vote of Al to &c
The House committee on commerce,
Tuesday, ordered favorable report on
the bill for a Pacific cable connecting
this country with Hawaii the Philippines
and Japan. The bill provides for pri-
vate construction of the line, the gov
eminent paying $500, 600 annually for 20
years for the transmission of messages.
Congressman Alfred c. Harmer, the
representative from the 9th pennsyl
vania district, died at his home in Phil
adelphia, Tuesday, aged rs years.
The President sent to the Senate Tues
day the nomination of Joshua l.. ham
beIlaln to be surveyor of customs at
Portland, Ne
On account of the delicate condition
of Admiral Watson's health he has been
authorized to transfer his flag to the
Baltimore which vessel is 10 proceed
home by way of the Suez canal and
Mediterranean sea, stopping at such
European ports As he deems proper.
Rear Admiral George e. Remey. at
present in command of the Portsmouth,
n. II , navy yard, will be ordered to
succeed Rear Admiral Watson in COM
mand of the Asiatic station.
Prof. Bernard Moses of the University
of alifornia, has accepted the vacant
place on the new Philippine commission
and its personnel is: Judge Taft, Ohio,
president; Dean {. \ orcester, Michigan;
Luke Wright, Tennessee; Henry g. Ide,
Vermont, Bernard Moses, California.
The " ashington Post sta ties that Pres
ident Mckinley in conversation with
callers at the White House reiterated
his belief that the people of Puerto Rico
were entitled to free trade with the
United states. He made it clear that
his views had undergone no change
since he wrote his message to Congress.
He still adhered to the sentiment there
in expressed. At the same time he said
he was unable to subscribe to the theory
that the constitution followed the flag;
that the Puerto Ricans must have free
trade as necessary legal right.
When he found that the House deemed
it the part of wisdom, the President
explained, to impose small tariff upon
condition that the revenues collected