Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1900-02-24
WHAT CONGRESS- IS DOING.
Proceedings ef Our National LawmAksrs
from Day 20 Day In Condensed Form
-Rssolutions and Bilis.

Tho Bacon resolution declaring the pol
Icy OF the United States toward the Phil
ippines was laid before the senate on
tho 18th and caused n debate. Senator
McEnery ua) strongly opposed the per-
manent acquisition OF the islands and be-
lieved the United States ought to relin-
Quish them rs soon Us Its authority was
asserted. Senator Stewart New thought
the products Of the islands should be I'D
mitted into the United States free OF
duty. The bill providing for a govern
ment for the Hawaiian islands was then
read. The house having disagreed To
the senate amendments TO the financial
bill Senators Aldrich Or. ~. Allison Qa.)
and Jones (Ark.) were appointed confer
ees....The house In committee OF the
whole struck out from the legislative bill
all provision for the civil service commits
sion. A warm discussion took place over
the statement OF Mr.. Sims (Tenn.) that
northern soldiers In the Spanish war
were more clamorous for pensions than
southern soldiers and Mr.. Pearre (Md.)
brought out an indignant denial from Mr..
Fitzgerald (Mass.) by stating that hun
dreds OF Massachusetts soldiers who
never smelled powder had applied for
pensions. The house. on motion OF Mr..
0verstreet Qnd) disagreed to the senate
amendments to the currency bill.
The senate was not In session on the
l7th.. The house passed the Legislative
appropriation bill after putting ~ no
appropriation for the civil service COM
mission, which was defeated In COM
mlttee OF the whole the previous day. A
bill was introduced to provide n chaplain
for each regiment In the army. April Z
was set apart for eulogles on the late
Mr.. Bland (Mo.).
The senate on the 10Th considered the
bill providing for a government for tho
territory OF Hawaii. Senator Vest (Mo.)
reported the bill introduced by Senator
Cockrell (io.) appropriatinG $4,000 for
an investigation OF the pollution of rivers.
An amendment was added giving 5000
for an investigation by the fish commits
sloner OF the effects of the pollution OF
waters upon fish. Senator Fairbanks
Und.) introduced an amendment TO the
Puerto Rican government bill extending
the immigration laws OF the United
States TO the island. The debate upon
the Puerto Rican tariff bill opened In
the house, the democrats being soiidly
arrayed against the measure. Mr.. Lacey
Qa.) introduce da bill. amending the civil
service act. Chairman Hull. OF the coul-
mittee on military affairs introduced q
bill to improve the efficiency OF the ar
my. Nothing was accomplished ut the
night session. which was to have been
devoted to pension legislation. Mr.. Tai
bert Is. c. made the point OF no quo
rum and blocked proceedings.
In the discussion on the Philippine ques-
ton In the senate on the 10Th Senator
Kenney (Del) spoke against the reten-
ton of the islands and urged that the
Filipinos be accorded the right to govern
themselves. Fifty-two pension bills were
afterwards passed. and then the con-
sideration OF the Hawaiian government
bill was resumed, long discussion taxi
ing place over the importation OF con-
tract labor. The Puerto Rican tariff bill
was taken mp In the house. Mr.. Hopkins
Qll.) speaking In support OF the meas
ure and Messrs. Newlands (Nev) and
Swanson (va.) In opposition to II. The
speakers devoted themselves almost ex-
clusively to the constitutional question
involved. Mr.. Richardson (Tenn) intro
duced q resolution aimed at the paper
trust.
Senator Culberson CTex.) on the 2lst
gave notice In the senate Of two amend
ments he will propose to the Puerto
Rican tariff bill The greater part Of
the session was given to the Hawaiian
government bill, but little progress was
made. Senator Penrose Pa-) gave no.
tice that the next day he would call up
the resolution providing for the seating
Of Matthew s. Quay. The house de-
bated the Puerto Rican tariff bill. Messrs.
Cromwell tO) and Henry (Tex.) speaking
against the measure and Messrs Ray
IN. W and Long QKan) for 1t. Mr..
Lentz co. introduced bill to provide
for the public distribution of United
States map to all schools In the United
States. The presidents message traEs-
hitting the reply of the secretary Of
state relative to the resolution abost
the opening Of Consul Macrums mar
was then read,