The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-02-02
DOlNGS OF CONGRESS-
WHAT OUR NATIONAL LAW MAX
ERS ARE CONSIDERING.

Some of the More Important Work OF
the National congress-Bills That
the Committees Report Favorably
Upon-Washingto Topics.
The River and Harbor Committee
has decided not to present a river
and harbor bill at the present session
of Congress.
The Senate Committee on Elec-
tons heard several witnesses Jan. 80
In The Clark bribery case, whose ad-
missions destroy the force of their
testimony. During the last three or
tour hearings the attorneys for the
contestants, the syndicate of Montana
citizens, have put on witnesses who
Lave seemed to be not exactly in
louch with the complainants. They
swore a man named Black who dis
proved large part of their case con-
tradicting effectively a preceding wit
ness who had testified in bold and
careless manner to several instances
D. bribery. One witness was pursued
relentlessly for an hour to make him
disclose the state of his bank account
and tell how he got his money. He
answered that he won good deal Of
money at faro and poker. Senator
Faulkner, counsel for Senator Clark,
said he would make his side of the
tase as short as possible, and when
re began should push things as hard
IS possible.
The attendance on the hearing is as
crowded as ever, and Senator Clark
IS among the most interested of the
spectators The drift of opinion as to
lhe effect of the testimony thus far
is that Clark will not suffer from the
testimony of men who admit, as one
lid, that there is no wrong in telling
lie to a rascal, or, as another did,
IN declaring that there was no wrong
In telling lie when everybody con-
terned knew that it was a falsehood.
One witness a clergyman, admitted
that he had been charged with en-
bezZlement, and had resigned his pas
torate rather than stand trial.
Throughout the hearings there have
been a strong dash of the rough, un-
bcrupulous and gambling way of do
ing things There are many onlook-
ers who expect the committee will
throw out the testimony of most of
the witnesses, and that the case
against Clark will fall by its own
weight of consciousness audacity OF
lniquity.
In the United States Senate Jan. 2S
Mr.. Mason, Illinois, arose to ques-
ton of privilege and sharply attacked
the British government and the Brit
ish Vice Consul at New Orleans be-
cause of an interview in which the
Vice Consul had assailed Mr.. Mason
for the position he had taken in be-
half of the Transvaal Republic in its
war with Great Britain. Mr.. Tillman,
South Carolina, made speech on the
Philippine question.
In the House the bill for the reor-
ganization of the Weather Bureau has
been "sidetracked" by test vote Of
81 to 73, it being bitterly opposed by
those who disapproved of the lie
tenure provision it made. The MI,
however, remains the unfinished busi-
ness.
The resolution offered by Senator
Pettigrew, calling upon the President
for information regarding the treaty
entered into with the Sultan of Sulu,
has been passed. after Senator Petit
grew had made an attack upon the ad-
ministration for entering into an
agreement which, he said, authorized
slavery.
The debate in the House upon the
Roberts case was continued Jan. "a.
Mr.. Roberts was not present. Mr..
Landies, of Indiana, charged that
Utah was admitted to the Union as a
result of Mormon conspiracy, and
charged the apostles of the church
with living in open violation of the
statute against polygamy. The other
speakers were Messrs. Powers (Rep.,
of Vermont) and Miers (Dem., of In
diana) for the majority resolution;
Messrs. Snodgras (Dem., of Tennes-
see) and Wilson (Sil. Rep, of Idaho)
for the minority resolutions; Mr..
Lacey (Rep., of Iowa) for his PROPOSE
tion to expel without swearing in, and
Mr.. Crumpacker (Rep. of Indiana)
for expulsion by a two-thirds vote.
Jan. 25, by a vote of 286 to so, the
majority report was adopted, and Rob-
erts was accordingly not admitted.
A bill has been introduced in the
House by Mr. Clark, of Missouri, to
create a territory of the District of
Columbia, to be known as the Terri
tory of Columbia" also to place bind
ing twine on the free list; and by Mr..
Mudd, of Maryland, to establish an
art commission OF the United States
The Republican caucus of the SEN
ate has decided definitely upon the re-
organization of the elective Offices of
that body, and nominated Hon. Chas
Bennett, of New York. for secretary,
and Hon. Daniel NJ. Ransdell, of In
diana, for sergeant-at-arms.
Senator Lodge has introduced bill
reducing the postage on books and
other printed matter belonging to
public libraries when sent from one H.
brary to another.