The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-01
PoLYGAAly- DISCUSSED.

ang Wfen Inc House auJtufDed. IL liie
imotion prevails in the House the bill is
dead.
POLYGAnIY DISCUSSED.
The bill for constitutional amendment to
dsquality polygamists Tor eiecuon as
senators and representatives and 20 pro-
hibit poly gauly. which was reported by the
Committee on the Election CT President,
Vice-President and Representatives in
Congress, was referred to the Committee
on judiciary after meeting with oppo-
sition from both sides Of the House
Every speaker who antasonized the bill
said he opposed poiygamy, but did not see
any reason for lesislating in The consd-
tuition and invading the rights OF the
States.
The House agreed TO the conference re-
port on the joint resolution extending me
tenure of military officers in Porto Rlco
This was district OF Columbia day IN
the f1ouse The bill to codlty the DIS
trict laws was taken UP. As its reaN.aS
would require three executive days, night
sessions We're arranged for that purpose.
Mr.. Corliss, Of Michigan. called up the
Joint resolution for constitutional amend
ment TO dis-tuality polygamlsts Tor eiec-
ton as senator's and representatives ana
prohibiting polygamy ard noiygahoos Co
habitation between the sexes
SHOULD BE LEFT TO STATES
Mr.. snodgrass, of Tennessee, who made
the report in the case, made an earnest
plea in advocacy of the bill
Mr. Shackalford. of Missouri, opposed
Ia. section of the resolution defending
the marriage lrelation and prohibiting
polygamv on the ground that II inter-
fered with the powers of the States:
Mr.. Corl:ss called attention to the fact
that section 4 distinctly provided that the
exclusive power to make and enforce all
laws concerning marriage and dl:orce
was reserved 10 the States.
Mr.. Ray. CT New York, chairman of the
judiciary Committee. opposed the blli
which he said should have been framed
in his committee.
Mr.. Grosvenor. OF Ohio. also antago-
nized the bill He believed in leaving
minor offenses within the borders OF the
States.
Air. Lanllam. of Texas. sad he was
as much opposed 10 poIysamy as any
man. hut he thought the proposed legis-
latior unwise and moved that the resc-
luton be referred to the Committee ON
Judiciary
Mr.. Laahasn's moton prevailed without
division.
a bill was passed to provide for the
sitting of District and Circuit Courts at
Florence, S. c.
The House went into Committee OF the
Whole Ito consider the Lacey bill
In response 10 a question Mr. Lacey SAID
the b.i would not affect the millincr
art. The bill was then passed by vote
OF li4 to &c.
TOO MANY COMMISSIONS.
The House then went into Committee
q, the Whole to consider the Senate bill
for the creating of a commission 10 in
vesttgate industrial conditions in China
and Japan.
In re:,,y TO a question Mr., Lowering
said that If the United States consuls did
their duty there would be nc necessity
for such d commission.
Mr.. Clark suggested that the Govern
ment is getting too top-heavy with
commissions.
the bill. II was. he said, very easy to
create new offices and raise old salaries,
hut very hard TO get rid of them. He
understood that this administration had
already commissioned about thirty COM
missions 10 roam about the earth and do
various and sundry things.
The conference report on the bill tenn
eorarily continuing the tenure OF the
present Porto Rico officials was agreed
10 without debate or division
The debate upon the commission bill
was then resumed. The bill was sup
ported by Mr.. Fitzgerald of Massachu-
setts.
A
burn gave notice he would offer an amend
ment limiting the commissions work TO
two years.
Mr.. Underwood, of Louisiana. moved TO
reduce the number Of commissioners pro-
rided for In the bill from five to three.
The amendment was carried-6l TO 40.
The other amendments were agreed to-
one 10 provide that not more than two
commissioners should be of one political
party. and the other that none of the
commissioners shall be members of either
House of Congress
Mr. Williams. Of Mississippi, then
moved to strike out the enacting clause.
and this motion was pending in the
House when the quorum failed, and at
5:ss the House adjourned
In the Senate.
WASHINGTON. April so-Again to-day
the question of expressing sy'npathS for
the Beers was thrust upon the attention
of the Senate. This time it came UP on
motion TO proceed to the consideration
of the resolution introduced by Mr.. Petit
rev, OF South Dakota, welich was be-