The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-12-07
TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS
AT WORK.
BUSY DAY IN SENATE
Ship Subsidy Bill Made Unfinished
Business-Army Measure
Introduced.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The pro-
gramme of the senate leaders for the
business session was taken up in earn
h est today and material progress was
made.
What is popularity known as the ship
subsidy bill was made the unfinished
business of the senate instead of the
Spooner Philippine measure and dis
cussion of it was opened by Frye, of
Maine, chairman Of the committee on
commerce, from which the measure
was reported. He addressed the sen
ate today for more than an hour and a
half. Recognized by his colleagues as
an authority upon the subject, he
was accorded close attention. He had
not concluded when the senate adj
journed.
The great crowds of yesterday were
absent and business on the floor pro-
ceeded exactly as if it was mid-ses-
sion. AS soon as the session opened
the credentials of S~enator-elect Dolli-
yer Of Iowa were presented and he was
seated.
The resolution offered by Chandler
OH May 25. last, to refer the creden-
tials of William A. Clark and Martin
Maginnis. appointed senators Of Mon
tana to the committee on privileges
and elections, was called up by Carter
of Montana, but went over until TO-
morrow.
Senator Stewart introduced a bill
creating a supreme court for the Phil
ippine islands with five judges, who
are to be appointed for life and each
of whom is to draw a salary of $40, 900
per annum The bill provides for ap-
peal or writs of error to the United
States supreme court in all cases in
volving more than $40, 900 and in
those in which the constitution of the
United States is involved. Speaking
of his motive for placing the salary at
SO high a figure, Stewart said he had
done so in order to secure men of char
acter and professional standing for
the Office Of judge.
Senator Fairbanks introduced a bill
giving Oklahoma statehood. Clay Of
Georgia, introduced bills providing for
the admission free of duty of articles
controlled by trusts and for refunding
the tax collected On raw cotton in the
event that the supreme court holds to
be unconstitutional the law under
which the tax was collected.
Pettigrew introduced a resolution
calling upon the postmaster general to
send to the senate any information he
may have in his possession concern
ing postal frauds in Cuba. Platt, Of
Connecticut, made objection to i'm
mediate consideration and the resolu-
tion went over for the day.
The House..
The session of the house was brief.
Real work will begin tomorrow when
the house will consider the army re-
organization bill which Hull, chair
man of the committee on military
affairs, reported today. He explained
the urgent necessity for Immediate
action upon this measure, as under the
present law the army must be reduced
to ~, 900 on July !, next, and asked
unanimous consent for consideration of
the bill tomorrow, but Sulzer, New
York. objected, SO Hull introduced
q resolution for a special order for
consideration Of the bill tomorrow
with the provision for a vote at the
end Of six hours general debate.
Sulzer introduced resolutions pro-
testing against the continuation of the
war in South Africa as a RECKLESS and
ruthless determination Of a brave peo-
ple."
FRYE,S SPEECH CONCLUDED.