The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-12-21
LAWS FOR THE NATION.
Closing Session Of tho F,fty-Sixth Congress
Has Many Msaaures to Dispose Of
The Daily Grind.

On the 18th a Joint meeting OF the sem
ate and house occurred in the latter's
chamber to observe the centennial ami
versary of the location of the capital at
Wahsington and to listen to speeches APP
propriate to the occasion. President Pro
Tenn. Frye, of the senate, presided. Ad-
dresses were made by Senators Hoar
(Mass.), Daniels Va.) and McComas
(Md) and by Representatives Payne On.
70 and Richardson (Tenn). No business
was transacted in either the senate Of
the house beyond the reading OF the
journals.
For nearly three hours in the senate on
the 18th Senator Hanna CO., spoke in ia
vor of the ship subsidy bill. The Hay
Pauncefote treaty was debated in execu-
tive session and an amendment was
adopted allowing the United States to
protect its interests with its own forces
If needed. The provision against fortif-
cation was allowed to stand. The house
debated the war revenue reduction BILL
1t was dull and featureless. Mr.. De-
Almond (Mo.) introduced a resolution
calling for information about the reported
apology of Gen. Chaffee to Count Won
Waldersee in China. Mr.. Burleigh (Me.(
introduced q reapportionment bill liking
the membership of the house at 3S7.
Throughout nearly the entire legisla-
tive day on the 18th the senate was in
secret session. discussing the Hay
Pauncefote treaty. No business OF I'M
portance was transacted in the brief open
session, except the adoption of the house
resolution providing for a holiday recess
to extend from Friday, December q. to
Thursday, January 5. Senator Vest (Mo.)
introduced a bill for a national bureau Of
criminal Identification. The general de-
bate closed in the house at two p. m. on
the war revenue reduction bill and the
bill was opened to amendments under the
five-minute rule. An amendment by Mr..
Smith (Mich.) restores the tax on eX-
press receipts and compels the company
instead of the shipper to pay the tax.
1t caused a lively debate. ~ f-,f.r.ys a.
The senate transacted no business Of
Importance on the 18th in open session.
the entire time being spent in executive
session on the Hay-Pauncefote treaty..
The house passed the war revenue re-
duction bill. The amendment placed in
the bill the previous day to tax express
receipts was defeated on a yea and nay
vote by lbs to 1885, The pension appro-
priation bill, carrying $145, las, 230, was
passed in exactly IL minutes.
The senate was in open session only an
hour on the 18th, the remainder Of the
legislative day being spent in executive
session upon the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
No legislative business, aside from the
purest routine, was transacted. It was
agreed to take q vote on the treaty on
the goth. In the house an attempt was:
made to pass a bill to give soldiers and
sailors Of the civil war, the Spanish war
and the war in the Philippines prefer
ence In the matter of appointment to-
and retention in positions in the execu-
tive departments of the government, but
1T was overwhelmingly defeated. Then
1o2 private pension bills were passed and
a joint resolution to appoint Representa-
tive Boutelle (Me.) on the retired list as
a captain in the United States navy A
bill was also introduced for the suppress
sion of train robbery