Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-12-13
FEDERAL LAW MAKERS.

Washington, Dec. 3.--Large crowds
attended the opening of congress at
noon. After the reading of the presi.
dents message both houses adjourned
out OF respect to the memory of Sena-
tors Gear and Davis, who died in the
recess. The proceedings were brief
and purely routine in both branches.
Washington, Dec. 4.-The ship sub
sidy bill was made unfinished bust
ness in the senate instead of the
Spooner Philippine measure and the
discussion on it was opened by SEN
ator Frye of Maine, chairman of the
committee on commerce, from which
the measure was reported He adj
dressed the senate for more than an
hour and half. His figures indicated
that the ships of Great Britain had
an advantage $3.50 to IS per gross ton
over American ships in expense of
construction and operation The
senator then took up the provisions
of the bill which provides the amount
of subsidy to be paid vessels and ex-
planned how the payment was regu-
the measure a 10-knot vessel out for
175 days would draw $4,000 a year
beyond the cost of her coal and hand
ling and that the amount of subsidy
would in percentage diminish with
the increased speed of the ship.
Senator Clay of Georgia asked if it
were true that a 21-knot ship would
draw under the bill 1904 900 year
Senator Frye replied that the
amount drawn by such vessel would
be about $4,000 in excess of her coal
consumption and handling.
But" persisted Senator Clay, lis
not the gross amount of the subsidy
of a 2l-knot ship 1904 900 per year
under this bill?"
Senator Frye admitted that it was.
Il understand" said Senator Clay,
that 10-knot and 12-knot ships which
carry the agricultural products of the
country do not receive more than one
third the subsidy of fast passenger
ships which carry no agricultural
products"
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 $4,000
per annum. The bill provides for an
appeal or writs of error to the United
States supreme court in all cases in
voying more than $4,000 and those
in which the constitution of the United
States is involved, Speaking of his
high a figure, Mr.. Stewart said he
had done so in order to secure men of
character and professional standing
for the Office Of Judge, Senator Fair
banks of Indiana introduced a bill to
admit Oklahoma as a state, with two
representatives Senator Clay of
Georgia introduced a bill providing
for the admission, free of duty, of
articles controlled by trusts and for
the refunding of the tax collected on
raw cotton if the law is declared to
be unconstitutional. Commissioner
Peck reported expenditures of the
Paris commission for the year ending
Nov Is, 1900, were $939,465.
Washington, Dec. i'm the house
Mr. Hull, chairman of the committee
on military affairs reported the army
reorganization bill He explained the
urgent necessity for immediate action
and asked unanimous consent for con
sideration of the bill but Mr.. Sulzer
of New York objected so that Mr.
Hull introduced a resolution for a
special order for the consideration of
the bill with a provision for a vote at
the end of six hoars of general debate.
a bill was passed providing for a
detail of not to exceed 100 retired
army officers and 800 non-commis
stoned officers as military instructors
in the public schools of such cities as
adopt a system of military instruction.
The speaker announced the appoint
ment of Mr.. Hamilton of Michigan as
a member of the committee on insular
affairs, Mr. Gyerstreet of Indiana as
chairman of the committee on ex-
penditures IN the department of just
ice. Mr. Davis of Florida and Mr.. Nc
Dermott of New Jersey as members
of the committee on merchant marine
and fisheries.
Mr. Sulzer introduced a resolution
asking England to arbitrate the boer
trouble.