Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-03-22
PUERTO RICAy BILL.
The Senate Passes the Relief Meas.
ure for Our New Possession.
PRIVATE BILL DAY IN The HOUSE.
RESOLUTION Introduced Concerning the Re-
cent Standard Oh Company'a Dividend
Argument Heard for Establishing
Department Of Commerce.


bate, at times spirited, extending
over parts of two days, the senate
yesterday passed the Puerto Rcan re-
lief appropriation bill. As passed the
measure carries S2,095,000. Senator
Allen, Of Nebraska, offered an amend
ment to the bill declaring that the
constitution extends over Puerto Rico
by its own force, but it was lost by
the decisive vote of 80 to II. Senator
Jones, of Arkansas, withdrew free
tryde amendment offered by him and
that proposition, therefore, did not
reach vote, Other efforts to amend
the bill were frtitess.
An order was made by the senate
as to consideration of the case of
former Senator Quay it being unan-
imously agreed that it should be taken
up two weeks from next Tuesday and
discussed until disposed of, the dis
cllssi0n not TO interfere with the I'M
finished business, the Spooner bill,
authorizing the president to govern
the Philippines until otherwise di-
rected, the appropriations bills or CON
ference reports.
Senator Mason entered a motion
that the foreign relations committee
be discharged from further considera-
ton of his resolution expressing sym
patty for the Beers. Under the rule
the motion went over. After an ex-
ecuti'e session at 4:i0 p. IN. the sem
ale adjourned until Monday.
Private Bill bay In the House.
Washington, March 17.-This was
the first private bill day in the house
under the new rule. About two hours |
were spent in the discussion of d bill |
to pay Representative Swanson Sligo
for extra expenses incurred by him
in his contest In the last congress,
but the bill was ultimatelyaban
Six bills of minor Importance were
passed
Representative Boutell, of Chicago,
introduced bill for pensioning gov
eminent employees in the classified
oervice,
Representative Fitzgerald, of Massa-
chusetts, introduced the following
resolution:
"Whereas, II appears as a matter Of
public record that the Standard Oil
company paid in the city of New York
on March Is, 1900, the sum of Sl1,000,-
OOO' this amount being an extra divi-
dcnd in addition TO the regular quar-.
terly dividend of S3,0OO,0OO, and
whereas, II is Il matter of public
record that this last dividend is ST.
100000 in excess Of the last quarterly
paid by this corporation, and
"Whereas, II is also Il matter of pub
ne record That The price of kerosene
Dill the sole means of lighting used by
he middle and poorer classes of peo-
pie, during the period of time between
he declaration of three dividends was
increased three cents per gallon, con-
tax ON every home in the '
and, therefore be it I
"Resolvcd, That in the opinion Of ]
congress this action of the Standard !
Ill company is in direct violation of
he provisions of the Sherman unti-1
rust law and therefore punishable
~ fine and Imprisonment and the at =
orney general is hereby directed in
accordance with the provisions of
hat act to direct the several district '
attorneys of the United States in
heir respective districts to institute
.foper. ;goceedings TO bring The above
"hcf 'iootors OF law TO justice" p
Secretary Gage appeared before the II
nslllar affairs committee of the house o
n support of bill introduced by Mr.. s
'bley, of Pennsylvania, but drafted b
I the treasury department, to EN- Il
ower the secretary of the treasury "
o designate government repositories II
I the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba and c;
he Philippines, for the deposit of pub
&c funds. The bill was favorably re-
orted with an amendment making it
pplicable as to Cuba only during II
occupation of the island, q
The house committee on commerce d
esterdhy heard AN argument by John a
', Ella, of Chicago, in favor of the bill a.
establish the department of COM u
lercc and industries. lie supported ~
he measure In its amended form as Ill
eported to the senate by Senator
Iels0n. M..
NEWc NOTCc