The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-03-22
CONGRESSIONAL.

The Senate Committee on Naval AZ
fairs agreed to report the bill providing
for q Pacific cable TO Honolulu.
In the Senate Mr.. Morgan discussed
the Puerto Rican bill declaring the
islanders were our fellow. citizens.
In the House Mr.. Sulzer. of New
York, made vigorous attack on the
Administration declaring II 10 be u
tool OF Great Britain.
Congressman Rhea continued his
argument in his contested election case
before the House elections committee
making over ten hours he has spoken.
Indications are that the Senate will
pass the Puerto Rican tariff bill The
House provision that all the customs
receipts shall be returned 10 the island
was agreed TO.
The House agricultural committee
agreed 10 increase the aprOpria-
ton for seed, 40 as TO give each Don
gresham ten, instead Of five. thousand
packages for distribution among his
constituents
The bill which passed the House last
Friday to pay Mrs. Ashby, widow OF
W W. Ashby. CONSUL at Colon, the sum
OF s., 500, the balance Of one year sal
airy, was introduced IN the Senate Mon
day by Senator Martin. and referred to
the Committee on Claims.
The Senate passed the Legislative,
Executive and Judicial Appropria-
ton bill. carrying S2l, l55. 500 The
measure providing for the appointment
Of "A commission 60 adJudicate the claims
of the United States cltlzers growing
out of the War with Spain was also
passed.
The recent reorganization Of the Sen
ate caused the discharge Of quite a
number Of Dem cratic employees SEN
stor Sullivan. of Mississippi. had passed
resolution giving every chairman Of
q committee the privilege Of appointing
an additional messenger, and this saves
several Democrats who were doomed 90
90. Among them Is Mr. j. Browning,
Of Madison, Senator Martins messen.
ger. Senator Sullivan also introduced
a bill increasing the pension Of all
widows Of soldiers and sailors Of the
Mexican war to SIG per month. This
proposed pension Is not TO apply to any
women who marry veterans of that war
after the passage OF the act.
CHURCH AND OTHER CLAIMS.
A favorable report has been made by
the House Committee on Claims on q
bill authorizing the Secretary Of War 20
investigate and pay all claims present
ed on behalf Of churches. schools, Ii
braries, hospitals, etc occupied, in
iured or destroyed by the United States
Government during the Owl War
A list Of the claims OF this character
rejected or unpaid shows the following
for Virginia
Baptist church. Fredericksburg, dam
ages. 50. 600.
ST stephen 8 church, Oulpeper o II. &,
repairs, 81 100.
Baptist church. Oulpeper O H. rent
and damages, 81 726.
Methodist Episcopal church. Freder-
icksburg. damages, 81 0S,
Braddock Street Methodist Episcopal
church, Winchester, damages, not
stated.
Second Methodist Episcopal church
| (colOred). Winchester, damages, $40
Methodist Episcopal church, Drum.
mondtown, damages, not stated.
Methodist Episcopal church, Lam
bert Point, damages not stated.
Methodist Eplsc pal church, Win
chester. damages, s 394.
ST. Georges Episcopal church, Fred.
ericksburg. damages, 81, Sjl.
Presbyterian church, Warrenton,
damages, 81 ,075
st. Georges Episcopal church, Pan.
colleague. repairs, not stated.
Presbyterian church, Lovettsville.
damages, 1881.
Methodist Episcopal church, Pungo.
league. damages, 1902.
Methodist Episcopal church, War
rentOn, damages, sl,22S.
Catholic church, Winchester, 500.
The report Of the committee says:
Your committee IS Of the opinion
that the Government should in dealing
with churches and colleges. initiate the
frequent examples which history fur
nishes. where the most highly civilized
nations aud the most famous com
manders have respected their moral OBJ
legations by making voluntary repara'
tion, at their own expense, OF injuries
inflicted on churches and colleges snC
kindred institutions by the operations
OF war
Your committee is Of the opinion
that 800 900 would pay all meritorioui
claims Of this nature. "