Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-04-03
WORK OF CONGRESS.
Senate.


was under consideration during the greater
part Of the session. An amendment was
agreed to fixing license upon almost every
kind Of trade and commerce in the district
OF Alaska, the licenses ranging from $40
to $500 per annum. The measure had not
been disposed Of at the conclusion of the
session.
Tuesday, March 27.-Agreed to the CON
ference report on the pension appropriation
bill. Devoted the rest of he day to debate
on the Alaskan civil code bill and the Porto
Rico problem.
Wednesday, March 2S-Agreed to vote on
the Porto Rico bill Tuesday afternoon
April 3 Listened to a speech by Mr.. Davis
in support Of free trade, Amended the
Alaskan civil code bill by declaring void all
permits heretofore given to mine for gold
in tide waters under the jurisdiction of the
United States and allowing all citizens Of
the United States to do such mining under
regulations imposed by organized mining
districts. Defeated the Morgan free coin
age amendment to the Porto Rican bill by
q vote of 10 yeas to SO nays. In executive
session the Democrats broke a quorum and
prevented confirmation Of the appointment
Of William D. Bynum as a member of the
board of general appraisers at New York.
Thursday, March 29.-Agreed to tho con-
ference report on the diplomatic and con-
Sular appropriation bill. Heard an extended
speech by Mr.. Beyeridge in support OF free
trade with tb Porto Rico BY r,, vote Of -
committee amendment to the Porto Rico
bill imposing a duty of cents a pound
ap0n coffee imported into the island BY Il
vote of is yeas to }3 nays refused to strike
out the provision for duty of 10 per cent.
of the Dingley law rates on products OF
Porto Rico imported into the United States.
Friday, March 30-Heard Mr. Proctor in
support of free trade with Porto Rico and
Mr.. PettuS on the constitutional phases OF
the problem. During the latter's speech lie
convulsed his colleagues with humorous
SallieS at the expense of Senators Gallinger
and Beveridge. Devoted the rest of the
day to consideration Of the Porto Rican sub
Ject.
Saturday. March 3t.-Completed consid-
GRAFTON of the Porto Rican bill with the eX-
ceptiOn of two amendments, which lie over
till Monday, final vote to be taken Tues
day Senator Fairbanks made lengthy
speech defending the IL per cent. tariff.
Bills were passed granting lands to the
state of Alabama for the education Of col
Ored students. and to establish a light and
fog signal at Browns Point, Puget Sound.
house.
Monday, March 26.-Entered upon the
consideration of the army appropriation
bill. Mr. Jet Ull.) criticised the policy of
rushing officers through the high grades of
the army just prior to retirement. Mr.. Cox
(Tenn.) and Mr.. Ridgely (Kas.) opposed gem
orally permanent increase of the army as
prejudicial to the best interests of the
country and Mr. Meyer U4a.) discussed the
Philippine policy, opposing the retention Of
the islands.
Tuesday, March 27.-There was lively de-
bate during the consideration of the army
appropriation bill The charge that the
Porto Hican tariff bill was the result of a
deal for raising Il Republican campaign
fund was again referred to by Mr.. Pierce
! (Tenr), but Mr. Hull declared the anony-
nous author of the charge would never
dare to avow himself and be branded rs Il
falsifier. Mr.. Sulzer q. " made an appeal
for the extension Of official sympathy to the
Boers in their struggle for independence.
and Mr. Lentz of Ohio delivered scathing
dnunciation Of militarism and the war in
the Philippines. This attack aroused the
indignation of Mr.. Marsh Qll) who de-
cared Mr.. Lentz's speech was Il disgrace
to Congress.
Wednesday, March 2S.-Devoted the day
to consideration Of the army appropriation
bill. Several minor amendments were
adopted, and about half the bill was con
sidered. Mr.. briggs On: y created a di-
version by charging reckless extravaganza
| in the fitting up Of the transport Sumner
and precipitated a lively tilt upon the sub
| ject. He gave notice that later he should
! ask the House to investigate the subject
| The conference reports on the urgent def
cheney and the pension appropriation bills
! were agreed to.
appropriation bill in form only slightly
modified from that in which It came from
| the committee. One of the amendments
adopted opens the soldiers homes to the
| officers and men of the volunteer ana regu-
lar armies incapactated by service during
or since the Spanish war. An incident OF
tie day was defense Of the war depart
ment against the charge of reckless ex-
| trava gance in the fitting up of the trans
| port Sumner, made by Mr. briggs of New
York yesterday. Mr.. Parker On. j. pro
duced the itemized expenses furnished by
! the war department to show there had been
| no extravaganza. Vincent behring's right
| to his seat from the Eleventh Kentucky dis
| trict was confirmed without opposition.
His seat was contested by Mr.. White, an
| other Republican.
Friday March 30.-DevoteG the day to
war claims. taking no action of Importance
| thereon. Adopted the conference report on
| the diplomatic and consular appropriation
! bill
| Saturday. March 31.-Passed the fortified
| tons appropriation bill as it came from the
| committee. 1t carries $7093, 4SS Il three
hours political debate was precipitated by a
| general political speech made by Mr.. SHAT
| tue of Ohio. many members on both sides
! being drawn into it. resolution was
adopted to re-eect the present board OF
| managers of the national soldiers home