Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-25
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Tuesday. Mr.. Vest (dem., Mo- voiced
the opinion of many senators when he
said such discussion as was now in
progress was of no consequence as the
country was confronted by facts that
could not be changed by talk. Mr..
Pettigrew's resolution of inquiry and
Mr.. Lodges substitute for it were both
laid on the table and Mr.. Hoar's gen
eral resolution of inquiry as to the
facts of the Philippine war taken up.
An effort of Mr.. Pettigrew to amend
it so as to call for the presidents in
structions to the Paris peace COM
missioners led to q prolonged debate.
After the senate had considered the
matter behind closed doors, the amend
ment was rejected by a vote of Al to
20. The debate for the cay was con-
Guided by Mr.. Vest. Mr.. McLaurin
(dem., S. Co. addressed the senate on
the financial question making an argu-
confer authority upon the state banks
to issue circulating notes. The senate
ratified the Samoan treaty without di-
vision. The ratification occurred in
executive session after two hours de-
bate, which was participated in by a
Foraker and Spooner advocated and
Senators Bacon, Money and Tillman
opposed ratification. Mr.. Bacon made
the leading speech in opposition. He
based his objection upon the general
ground that it was contrary to the
spirit of our institutions to attempt to
govern any people in opposition to
their wishes Friends of the treaty re-
pudiated the assertion that the old
treaty provisions were annulled. They
claimed that this country by the new
arrangement retains all the old ad-
vantages and avoids complications liza
BILE to grow out of the tripartite agree
ment.
The urgent deficiency appropriation
bill was taken up in the house under
the agreement which limited the gen.
eral debate to Tuesday. The question
of expansion which was expected to
mOnopolize attention was barely
touched upon, the members becoming
engrossed in discussion of the item
of $500 for rural free delivery. The
last hour of debate was enlivened with
an attack by Mr.. Richardson, the mi
nority leader, upon the secretary of
the treasury for his course in connec
ton with the sale of the New York
custom house. Mr.. Hopkins (rep.,
Ill.) championed the course of the Sec
rotary, declaring his reply to the house
resolution answered every charge
brought against him, and displayed
business ability that must meet the ap
prevail OF all fair nainded people. Mr..
Hopkins, from the committee ON the
census, then made a favorable report
on the senate bill extending the scope
of the census, and the house adjourned.
Washington, Jan. 18.-An agreement
was easily reached in the senate We'd
nesday to take a final vote on the . md
ing bill fixing gold as the standard of
value in the United States on Feb. Is.
After several days debate the drag-net
resolution of inquiry regarding the
conduct Of the Philippine war was
adopted. 1t was introduced by Mr..
Hoar (rep., Mass.). Practically as
adopted it as a general substitute for
the resolutions of a similar, but less
extended character offered by Messrs.
Pettigrew and Lodge. Beyond Wig
orous speech by Mr.. Pettigrew the res
olution aroused no debate, as it is
within the discretion of the president
to send or not to send any of the in
formation requested. The resolution
offered by Mr.. Hale (rep., Me- as to
the seizure of -four by the British au-
thorities, was adopted but only after
a spirited debate after the resolution
had been materially amended Mr.
Davis rep, Mimi, chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, made a
sharp attack upon the resolution but
withdrew his objections after it had
been amended. Mr.. Teller (sil. rep,
COLI addressed the senate upon the
financial bill. He did not conclude his
speech. The senate went into execu-
tive session and afterward adjourned
In the executive session Mr.. Jones
tdem., Ark moved to reconsider the
vote by which the Samoan treaty was
ratified T-esday. He based his motion
upon the statement which he said he
had seen in the press to the effect that
the American flag had already been
run up on the island of Tutuila Mr.