The Somerset reporter., 1900-12-13
At Washington.

Penns ylvania, and Undcrhlll and lay.
ton of New York, voted with the Re-
publicans for the bill, aud cCall, Rep
Nassach usetts, with the Democrats
against. Otherwise II was strict party
vote.
The proposition which some of the
Democrats attempted to commit their
side to in caucus, an extension of the
present temporary army until July |,
1903, which was voted upon indirectly
on motion to recommit, commanded
vote of only about half the opposition
and of two Republicans, Nc all and
Mann of Illinois Many of the Demo
Gratis, however, voted against the mo
ton because they were opposed not only
to the re organization but also to con-
tinuing the temporary army at Its pres
ent strength.
Quite number of amendments we're
placed upon the bill before 1t had pass
ed. The liveliest fight was made IL Jon
substitute offered by Littlefield of
Maine, for the canteen section. The
substitute absolutely prohibited the sale
of intoxicants at military posts Large
delegations from the W. q. T. U. watch
ed the fight from the galleries. " hen
by an overwhelming majority Bartholdt
attempted to secure record vote in the
House, but the peculiar parliamentary
status shut him out.
The President and Mrs Mckinley
gave reception, Thursday, to the 1900
delegates to the w. q. T. u convention.
The receiving party consisted of the
President and Mrs. Mckinley, Secretary
and Mrs Gage, Secretary and Mrs
Long, Attorney General and Mrs Giiggs
and Secretary and Miss Wilson.
Senator Hanna, chairman of the Re-
publican National committee, has offer
ed to Mr. John Joy Edison, president of
the Equitable 80 operative Building
association, the chairmanship of the in
augural committee. Mr. Edison accept
ed the tender and will take charge of
the Inauguration ceremonies.
Representative Burleigh. Thursday,
introduced bill authorizing the APP
pointment of Representative Boutelle of
Maine, now a confirmed invalid, to the
rank of captain on the retired list of the
navy.
The House, Friday, passed the Grout
oleomargarine bill by a vote of 1913 to 81
The substitute offered by the minority
of the committee on, agriculture which
imposed additional restriction on the
sale of oleomargarine to prevent its
fraudulent sale as butter and increased
the penalties for violators was defeated
by vote of 113 to 178 The bill as
passed makes all articles known as cleo.
margarine, butterine, imitation butter
or imitation cheese transportation into
IN To I'm IN fnr M nm ssr
sale subject to the police power of such
state or territory, but prevents any state
territory from forbidding the transpor-
tation or sale of such product when pro-
duced and sold free from celebration in
imitation of butter. The bill increases
tax on oleomargarine offered In imita-
ton of butter from two or ten cents per
pound and decreased tax on oleomarga-
rine uncolored from two cents to one
quarter of cent pei pound
he bill authorizing the appointment
of Representative Boutelle of Maine, as
a captain on the retired list of the navy,
upon his resignation from Congress, was
favorably reported, Friday, by the COM
mittee of naval affairs over which Mr..
Boutelle presided until his present Attic.
ton
The committee complimented the act
ing chairman, Representative Foss of
Illinois by unanimously electing him to
the Craftsmanship made vacant by the
resignation of Mr.. Boutelle. Under the
rules, in case of a resignation of a com
mittee chairman, the next ranking mem
Der becomes chairman unless the com
mittee sees fit to select In this case, in
the absence of Mr. Foss, the committee
decided to give him the additional
honor of a unanimous choice as chair
man.
The first week of Congress has been q
busy one and it promises to accomplish
lot of important legislation before the
Christmas recess.
The program in the House for this
week contemplates the consideration
and judicial appropriation bill and the
bill for the reduction of the war revenue
taxes.
The Senate continues to give its at
tenton to the Hay-Paunceforte treaty
and the ship subsidy bill during the
present week, taking up first and then
the Other as may suit the convenience
of those who may wish to speak on the
two measures.
Hon. Charles A. Towne, the recently
appointed successor to the late Senator
Davis of Minnesota attended Mondays
session of the Senate and took the oath
of office No business of Importance
was transacted in open session, the Sen
ate going into secret session on the Hay
Pduncefote treaty as soon rs routine
business had been concluded
The first of the great supply bills, the
legislative, executive and judicial appro
priation bill, was passed by the House,
Monday. The bill carries S24, 400, 40S
and has 131 pages, but there was less
than 10 minutes debate upon it. Bing
ham, Pa, who was in charge of the
measure rendered his thanks to the
House for the confidence shown in the
appropriations committee. 1t required
about three hours for the clerk to read
the bill No other business was tran
sacted
The President has transmitted to Con
gress extended reports on the agricultu.
raj resources of Porto Rico, with special
reference to the establishment there of
an agricultural experiment station.
Prof. Knapp, who conducted the inquiry
for the agricultural department, urges
that Immediate attention be given to
promoting the production of larger and
better crops of coffee, sugar and tobao-
co, and of food products for home con
sumption. Later he advises taking up
horticulture, forestry, animal industry
and dairying.
Senator Hale, Monday, introduced the
joint resolution presented in the House
for the retirement of Representative