Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-02-16
WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING.
Proceedings OF Our National Lawmaker4
from Day to Day in Condensed form
RESOLUTIONS and Bills

In the senate on the 9Th Senator CAT
ferry Na-1 concluded his speech the
Philippine question. Senator Butler
IN CD made a legal argument against
the proposed suffrage amendment to
the constitution of North Carolina Sem
ator PenroSe (Pa.) introduced a bill ex-
tending the pension laws to persons who
served in the civil war for only one
month. The financial bill is to be con-
sidered every legislative day to the ex-
clusion of all except purely routine bus
mess. The Philippine question again oc-
cupied the attention of the house with
slight depression concerning the war in
South Africa The feature of the debate
was the speech of Mr.. Williams (Afass)
who presented an argument against the
annexation of the islands. Mr.. Coch-
ran (Mo) also spoke on the same sub
Jet, calling attention to the slaves in
the Sulu group. The general debate on
the diplomatic bill was then closed. The
bill to pay the southern cotton claims
was reported favorably by the COM
mittee.
There was a somewhat lively tilt in
the senate on the 7th between Senator
Depew IN. W and Senator PettigreW
Is ID. The former read a letter from
President Schurman, of the Philippine
commission, fatty contradicting some of
the statements made by the senator for
South Dakota, and made caustic COM
ments on introducing the evidence of
such men as Dewey and Schurn1an
through the statements of Aguinaldo.
Senator Pettfgrew replied sharply and
reiterated his statements which had
called forth denials from both Schur-
man and Dewey. The financial bill was
then taken up, all the speeches being
made against the measure. Senator Pen
rose (Pa.) introduced a bill to publish
the proceedings of the G. a. r. encarnp-
ment as a government document. The
house passed the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill. 1t carries s., 74S, 9OS. Mr..
Mcclellan IN. W introduced bill for
the requirement by the government of
the Erie canal and its enlargement to
a caracity sufficient for the largest war
vessels ar a cost not exceeding S75. 600 900.
In the senate on the Sth Senator Allen
(Neb) concluded his speech on the finan-
cial bill. He charged republicans with
breaking faith with the people on bimet-
allism. Senator Cocl1reIl (Mo.) also spoke
on the measure and said that the senate
substitute contained the initial move
ment toward the perpetuation of the ma
tional debt. Senator Nelson (Minn.) was
authorized to report his substitute for
the bill providing for department of
commerce with a cabinet officer. The
house was in session an hour and a half
and only minor business was transacted.
Mr. Miers Und.) introduced a resolution
to set aside February II for the consid-
GRAFTON of private pension bills.
AS nobody was prepared to proceed
with discussion of the finance measure
in the senate on the 9th, only routine
business was transacted and early
adjournment was taken to enable mem
bers to attend the obsequies of Gen. Law
ton. Senator Depew On. W introduced
bill granting to the public land states
a percentage of the proceeds of the sales
of public lands for the encoura cement
of the mining interests. little bus
mess was done in the day meeting of
the house Mr.. Sulzer IN. W introduced
a resolution for enacting the Nicaragua
canal bill into law regardless of the
Hay-Paunceforte treaty, because the lat
ter contravened the Monroe doctrine.
There scene at the night session.
Mr.. Talbert Is. Co. rushed down the
aisle brandishfng his arms and shouting
for recognition. When he was recog-
nized he explained why he insisted on
quorum being present when passing pen
sion bills and suggested setting apart q
day each month and disseminating the
night sessions. Thirty-five pension bills
were favorably acted upon.
The financial debate in the senate was
continued on the 10th by Senator Chandler
On. H), who opposed the gold standard
and strongly urged the double standard.
Senator Chiffon (Tex.) and Senator Money
(Miss.) also spoke. Senator Allen (Neb }
offered resolution expressing sympa-
thy with the Beers in their struggle
against Great Britain and urging medi-
alton the part of the United States.
1t was adopted. Senator Allen afterwards
agreed to let the vote be reconsidered
and the resolution went over. Little
business of Importance was done in the
house. A bill introduced to amend
the mileage law for members of con-
each way instead of 20 cents.