Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-13


lading, and upon custom-house with
drawals and entries. The special
taxes on commercial brokers, custom
house brokers, theaters, circuses, and
other public exhibitions are also re-
pealed. The tax on beer is reduced so
as to make it approximately SLIGO per
barrel instead of $1S5, as at present.
The tax on cigars is reduced from
$3.50 to $500 per thousand. All taxes
upon medicines and similar proprie-
tary articles, including perfumery
and chewing gum, are repealed The
bill is to so into effect 80 days after
its passage.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The senate
sat in executive session for more than
four hours today, the entire time
being devoted to a discussion by
Senator Morgan of the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty for the abrogation of that
portion of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
which relates to the Nicaraguan canal.
Senator Morgan made it very plain in
the course of his remarks that while
he was not opposed to the pending
treaty in almost any form, his prin-
ciple if not only concern, in that con-
nectiOn is for the passage of the canal
bill and he allowed it to be very
broadly understood that he had en-
gagged in treaty discussion because of
his conviction that there was a major
Df
action On the treaty as a precedent to
the passage of the canal bill. He in
timated privately to other senators,
however, that he would not consent to
the fixing of the time for a vote upon
the treaty until there also could be a
time fixed for like action upon the
Nicaraguan canal bill.
Discussing the question of the forti-
fication of the canal, Senator Morgan
argued strenuously against it, both as
ineXpedient and unnecessary He con-
tended that Great Britain was not the
only power whose interests would be
affected by a provision for fortifica-
ton, and said that Nicaragua and Cos
ia RIGA had a right to be considered
in that connection. He admitted, how
ever, that he had no doubt if the
United States should proceed with the
construction Of the canal, without first
taking steps to secure the neutrality
of the canal. Great Britain would be
previously offended, and that he
thought it not impossible that the of
tense would be considered sufficiently
grave to lead to hostilities between
the two countries.
do you mean," asked Senator Bev-
eridge, that, Notwithstanding the
present friendly relations between the
countries, England might declare war
II we should construct the canal with
our own means in our own way?'
Senator Morgan replied that he con-
sidered that result among the proba-
bilities. But" he continued, 81
should not be deferred by that circum-
stance What England would DO he
said, Of course was mere matter of
speculation and added that he had
only referred to this possibility in or
der to emphasize his opinion that the
canal should be constructed in any
contingency. Ia discussing the points
of the treaty with Senator Teller, the
Alabama senator expressed the view
that the Clayton BulWer treaty was
unconstitutional and for this reason if
for no other he said it should be dis
regarded.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The house Of
representatives today at the end Of
long sitting passed the army re-
organization bill by a vote 166 to 1873
Three democrats. Messrs. Hall
(Penn), Underhill and Slayton IN.
W, voted with the republicans for the
Dill but also to continuing the tenn
stood with the democrats against it. |
otherwise it was strict party vote.
The proposition by which some
democrats attempted to commit their |
side in the case of an extension of the |
present temporary army until July 1, |
1903, which was voted upon Indirectly |
on a motion to recommit, commanded |
the vote of only about half the oppo- |
sltlon and Of two republicans, Messrs
Mccall (Mass.) and Mann Gll). |
Many democrats, however, voted |
against the motion because they were
opposed not only to the reorganization
bill but alsoo to continuing the tenn
porary army at its present strength.
a number of amendments were
placed upon the bill before it was
passed. The livliest fight was made
lpon the substitute offered by Mr.. Lit
lefeld (Me.,) for the canteen section.
lhe substitute absolutely prohibited
he sale of intoxicants at military
POSTS. When a vote was taken the
amendment carried by the
majority, 158 to 81 Mr..
iartholdt attempted to secure a rec
'rd OF the vote in the house but pecu-
lar parliamentary tactics shut him
tut. A section designed to retire Gen.
'hafter as major general and Gems.
ltzhugh Lee and James H. Wilson as ,
rlgad1er generals was stricken out. ,
Among the amendments adopted were,
nose providing for 30 volunteer sur
cons and $50 assistant surgeons for .
erVice in the Philippine, and for thir- !
dental surgeons and veterinary ,
orps with actual rank. The number
f officers of the pay corps was in
reased to II and of signal corps to %.
he age limit was removed from the l
olunteer officers eligible to appoint s