The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-17
Thursdays Proceedings.

The House Thursday, after a spirited
debate, adopted the resolution reported
from the Insular Affairs Committee 20
authorize the Secretary of the Treasury
to designate repositories in Porto Rico
Cuba, and the Philippines for the deposit
Of government funds. BY the terms of
the resolution. ii only applies to Cuba, so
long as the island shall be occupied by the
United States. An amendment to include
the Philippines in this provision, offered.
as stated, TO emphasize the desire of the
opposition not TO retain the islands, was
defeated by a party vote.
a Senate bill, which will permit the de-
pendent mothers OF soldiers or sailors of
the Spanish war, even though they mar
ried Confederate soldiers, TO receive The
benefit of the general pension law, was
passed.
The remainder OF the day was devoted
TO debate upon a resolution from the Com
mittee on Election of President, Vice
President, and Representatives In Con-
gress for constitutional amendment, en-
powering the legislatures of the States 10
decide whether United States Senator'S
shall be elected by the legislatures or 6i-
rectly by the people. A substitute resolu-
tion was offered by the minority of the
committee. which differed from the ma
jority resolutions. in giving the States 10
option, but providing that in all States
the people should vote directly for United
States Senators. This is the same resolu-
ton which has twice passed the House.
Mr.. Cooper, chairman of the Committee
on Insular Affairs, called up the resolu-
ton 10 authorize the Secretary OF the
Treasury TO designate banks in Porto
han - M
eminent repositories. II was arranged
that there should be an hours debate on
the bill. Mr.. Jones, OF Virginia. offered an
amendment, which provided tEat the act
should apply only 10 the Philippines and
Cuba so long as they should be occupied
by the United States. The provision rela-
tive 20 Cuba was a committee amend
ment. Mr.. Cooper said that for some III
explicable reason the bill had been called
the Standard Oil bill" After patient IN
vestigatioE, he had failed TO find one fac.
to support such a slur. The reasoning, he
said, seemed TO be about like this: Mr..
Sibley came from Pennsylvania. Coal oil
was found there. The Standard Oil Com
psny handled oil; ergo. this is Standard
OIL bill. Mr. Cooper explained the neccs-
sity for government repositories In our
insular possessions. Disbursing officers Of
the government could only deposit in gov
ernment repositories. II they deposited
elsewhere they were guilty Of technical
embezZlement.
Mr.. Brewer. Of Alabama, said he sup
ported the Jones amendment in order 10
emphasize in every possible way his aver
sion IL the retention OF the Philippines.
He said he had rather see any Republican
who opposed the retention Of the islands
President than a Democrat who favored
holding them.
Mr.. Cox. OF Tennessee. criticised the bill
because IL did not require the repositories
to deposit United States government
bonds for the security Of government
funds.
Mr.. Jones said that even II his amend
ment was adopted he would be opposed 20
the bill In toto. II the gentleman from
Wisconsin had inquired further. he said.
he would have discovered a better reasoa
why this bill was called the Standard OH
bill He recalled the letter written by
Mr.. Hepburn. Of the National City Bank
OF New York. 10 Secretary Gage, asking