The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-27
NOW READY FOR THE SIGNATURE OF
THE PRESIDENT.
CONFERENCE REPORT ADOPTED
By the House After a Spirited Debate.
Several Democrats Vote for Its Adop-
tion-To Erect a Grant Memorial I'm
Washington-Senate to Separate the
Porto Rico Tariff and Government
Commercial and Industrial Condi-
tions in China and Japan.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Washington, March 24.-For a few
minutes in the senate today surprise,
bordering almost on CONSERVATION in
some quarters, was created by a re-
quest of Senator Foraker that the Por-
to Rican government bill be recon-
mitted to the Porto Rican committee.
The request precipitated a lively COL
loquy, but it finally was developed
that the bill Senator Foraker wanted
recommitted was the civil government
measure now on the calendar and not
the unfinished business. During the
elucidation of his request, however,
Senator Foraker plainly indicated
that it was his purpose to separate
the bills and press the Porto Rican
tariff bill to an early vote, his desire
being to have the vote taken not la
! ter than next Thursday.
Senator Foraker stated that he eX-
pected to ask the senate to separate
the government measure and the tariff
propositions in the unfinished business
and hoped to secure vote perhaps on
Wednesday next, and certainly not la
ter than Thursday.
After some further discussion the
request of Senator Foraker that the
/! bill be recornmitted was agreed to by
| the senate.
The bill was passed authorizing the
president 10 appoint a commission to
study and make full report upon the
commercial and industrial conditions
| in China and Japan, with a view to
the extension of American commerce.
and appropriating $4,000 for the pay
ment of the expenses of the commits
sion.
| The bill aroused some debate. Sem
| ator Berry registered his protest
against the measure, his opinion being
| that too many commissions We're being
! created.
| Senator Cockrell, of Missouri, oppos-
ed the measure and stated the position
! of the senate minority on legislation.
81 want it understood" he said, land
/ understood distinctly that hereafter
absolute responsibility must rest upon
! the republican party for the passage
! of all resolutions and bills
Senator Gallinger, of New Hamp-
shire supported the bill, saying the
president had strongly recommended
the passage of the measure. Germany
had already sent commissions to the
Orient to investigate trade and COM
merce.
After some discussion the bill was
so amended that no member of either
branch of congress shall hereafter
serve under any appointment made by
| the executive department of the gov
ernment, while holding office as such
member.
The senate at 3:25 O'Clock p. m ad-
jOurned.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
After a brief and spirited debate the
house today took the last congressional
step in completing the Porto Rican re-
lief bill, agreeing to the conference re-
port. The bill turns over to the presi-
dent for the use of Porto Rico about
50, ,0O0. 600 of customs receipts collected
on Porto Rico goods UP to January 1st
last and such amounts as may hereaf-
ter accrue until otherwise provided by
law. The debate lasted but an hour,
but in this time the whole range OF
Porto Rico legislation was discussed.
Several of the speakers made refer
ence to a published report that the
Porto Rico tariff bill was designed to
secure a campaign fund.
| Mr.. Payne, of New York, chairman
of the ways and means committee
spoke briefly in support of the report
and of the general course of Porto
Rican legislation. He repudiated and
denied the reports that any campaign
fund was involved in the question.
At 1 o'clock yea and nay vote was
taken on the report and it was agreed
to-yeas 135; nays 81; present and not
voting 20. This completes the meas
ure and it now goes to the president
The vote was on party lines except
that a number of democrats and indie.
pendents voted with the republicans.
Saturday, April 14th, was ordered
set aside for the reception of the
statue of Governor Oliver p. Morton
of Indiana.
A bill was passed appropriating s10,.
900 for designs for a suitable memoria
in Washington to General u. s. Grant
this being the first step in a movement
to secure an arch similar to the Arch
of Triumph In Paris. commemorative
the illustrious soldier-statesman
A resolution was passed asking tn,
secretary of state for, information or
the open door negotiations concerning
China.
The house then devoted itself to eu
log1es on the late Representative Epes
Of Virginia. Resolutions Of respec
and eulogy on the deceased were pass
ed and at 3:05 o'clock p. m, as a fur
'ther mark of respect, the house ad
| journed.