Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-01

length, but was vigorously antagonized
by the Democrats, and they finally sue
ceeded in striking out the enactinE
clause in committee. and this motion
was pending when the House adjourn
ed. If the motion prevails in the
House the bill is dead. The bill for
a Constitutional amendment to disQual-
ify polyga bists for election as Senator's
and Representatives, and to prohibit
polygamy, which was reported by the
Committee on the Election of Presl-
dent, Vice President and Representa-
ttVes in Congress, was referred to the
Committee on Judiciary after meeting
with opposition from both sides OF the
House. Every speaker who antago-
nized the bill said he opposed polyg-
amy, bit did not sec any reason for
legislating in the Constitution and in
vading the rights OF the States. The
House agreed to the conference report
OH the joint resolution extending the
tenure OF military officers in Porto
Rico.
DISTRICT DAY.
This was District of Columbia Day in
the House. The bill TO codify the Dis
trict laws was taken up. AS its simple
reading would require three legislative
days. night sessions were arranged for
that purpose. The committees were
then called.
POLYGAMY DISCUSSED.
Mr. Corlss, OF Michigan, chairman OF
the Committee on Election of President.
Vice President and Representatives in
Congress, called up the joint resolu-
-tion for Il constitutional amendment to
disquoiify polygamists for election as
Senators and Representatives. and pro-
hibiting polgamy and polygamous rela-
lions between the sexes.
AIr. 4 ,1,n I'll
much opposed to polygamy as any man.
but he thought the proposed legislation
unwise. and moved that the resolution
be referred to the Committee on Judi
ciary.
Mr. Lanham's motion prevailed with
out division.
a bill was passed TO provide for the
sitting of district and circuit courts at
Florence, S. c..
The House went into committee of the
whole to consider the Lacey bill.
In response TO a question. Mr.. Lacey
said the bill would not affect the mill
liners art The bill was then passed
by a vote of 144 to &C.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
The House then went into committee
of the whole to consider the Senate
bill for the creation OF commission to
investigate industries in China and ia
pan.
Mr.. Clark. of Missouri, also opposed
the BILL IT was. he said very easy to
create new officers and raise old sala-
ries. but very hard to get rid of them.
He understood that this administration
had already appointed about thirty
commissions 20 roam around the earth
and do various and sundry things.
The conference report on the bill,
temporarily continuing the tenure Of
the present Porto Rican officials, was
presented. The report was agreed to
without debate or division.
The debate upon the commission bill
was then resumed. The bill was sup
ported by Mr. Fitzgerald, of Massachu-
sets. who said that while the United
States furnished nine-tenths of the
cotton of the world, we exported 81 500
GOO less than Switzerland, which raised
not pound nor possesses Il seaport
After some further debate Mr. Hen
burn gave notice he would offer an
amendment limiting the commissions
work to two years.
Mr.. Underwood (Dem), OF Alabama.
moved to reduce the number of COM
missioncrs provided for in the bill from
live TO three. The amendment was car
ried-6l TO 40. The other amendments
were agreed to, one to provide that not
more than two commissioners should
be of one political party, and the other
that none of the commissioners shall
be members Of either House of Con
tiresS.
MIR. Williams (Dem.), OF Mississippi.
ttfe-tf-ftfovcd to strike out The -crfucvtIr-
clause, and the motion to strike ont
the enaciing clause was pending in the
House when the quorum failed, and at
500 the House adjourned.