The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-12-20

Washington, Dec. 15.-Throughout
nearly the entire legislative day the
senate was in secret session, discuss
ing the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. No
business of Importance was transact
ed in the brief open session except
the adoption of the house resolution
providing for a holiday recess to *
tend from Friday, December 81, to
Thursday, January 8.
Penang a motion by Senator Lodge
(Mass.) that the senate proceed to
the consideration Of executive bust
ness a brief contention was precipi-
tated over a phase of the Montana
senatorial case. Senator Jones (Ark.)
announced that he had been directed
by the committee on contingent TX
penses that investigation Of the
claims of William A. Clark and Mar
tin Maginnis to a seat in the senate
under appointment Of the governor
of Montana be referred to the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, al
it had not come from a standing COM
mittee. Senator Chandler IN. H., the
chairman of that committee, imme-
diately reported it back to the SEN
ate and asked for its adoption. This
was objected to on technical grounds,
but the resolution finally was re-
ferred to the committee on contin-
gent expenses.
The senate then at 1880 p. m. went
into executive session upon the Hay
Pauncefote treaty and at 1850 p. m.
adjourned until to-day.
House.
Washington, Dec. 15.-The house
Friday adjourned without disposing
of more than half of the war revenue
reduction bill. General debate closed
at two o'clock, after which the bill
was opened to amendments under the
fve-minute rule. A determined eff
fort was made to reduce still further
the tax on beer below the committee
rate of SLIGO a barrel, but the ways
and means committee overwhelmed
the opposition. The committee, how
ever, sustained two signal defeats. In
connection with the beer tax nIr.
Payne offered an amendment in the
language of the bill passed by the
house last session designed to abolish
the use of small beer packages-one-
sixteenth and one-eighth barrels-but
it was defeated by IS to 81, after
charges that it's purpose was to crush
out the small brewers. Another de-
feat occurred in connection with the
amendment offered by Mr.. Henry C.
Smith (Mich.). The bill abolished the
one-cent stamp tax on express re-
ceipts and telegraph messages, but re-
tanned the tax on railroad and steam
ship freight receipts. Mr.. Smiths
amendment restored the tax on ex-
press receipts and altered the form of
the section so as to compel the COM
pany instead of the shipper to pay
the tax. The amendment precipitated
a lively debate, in the course of which
MI. Smith made a personal allusion
to United States senator who is
connected with one of the express
companies. Mr.. Payne vigorously
fought the amendment, but it was
carried, 1913 to LOG.
Would Save the Canteen.
Washington, Dec. S.-Secretary Root
was before the senate committee on
military affairs for two hours Friday
going owe the army reorganization
bill. He urged that the anti-canteen
provision inserted by the house be
stricken out, saying that the canteen
or post exchange is an important fac
tor in army life from a social point of
view. He feared it might be difficult
to secure recruits with the ~canteen
abolished.
ReaPpOrtionment.
Washington, Dec. 15.-Mr. Hopkins
(Ill.) introduced a reapportionment
bill making the house membership 1857.
He said that the bill had no special sig
%niicance as coming from his as chair
man Of the census committee and will
take its chances with other PROPOSE
tions. The changes it makes are:
Losses-one each, Indiana, Kentucky,
Maine, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina,
Virginia.
Gains-One each, Louisiana, Minnesota,
New Jersey, New York and-West Virginia.
Gains-Two, Texas.
Silent Mt His Poat