The sun., 1900-12-11
LEGISLATIVE Bill
WAS TAKEN UP IN
CONGRESS YESTERDAY
Mr.. Bingham Said Both Parties
in Recent Campaign Pledged
themselves TO Economy.
T0WNE SWORN INTO OFFICE
, Amendment Providing for Twelve
Temporary Clerks to- Dispose of
the Accumulated Business
in Office OF Comptroller
of Treasury Passed.
TOWNE SWORN INTO OFFICE

Washington, Dec. 10.-When the senate
convened, MIR. Chandler IN. H., Mr..
Bate CFenn.), and Mr. Turley (renD.),
who heretofore during the present session
had not been in attendance, were in their
seats.
MIR. Charles A. Towne, appointed to
succeed the late Senator G. K. Davis of
Minnesota, also was in attendance.
Mr.. Nelson (Alinn.) at once presented
the credentials of Mr.. Towne, and they
were read.
AIr. Chandler IN. H., chairman of the
committee on privileges and elections, di-
rected attention to the last clause of the
credentials, which was that Mr.. Towne
should hold his seat until ''his successor
was elacted and qualified" He said the
constitution provided simply that the ap-
pointee should hold office until the legis-
lature had met.
elm the credentials presented" said Mr..
Chandler, ''the governor has undertaken
to prescribe the length Of the new sena-
tors term. The added clause of the ere
dentials Of course Ia superfluous. de-
sire simply to call attention to this fact
and have no intention to object to the
swearing In Of Mr.. Towne."
The new senator was conducted TO the
desk by Mr.. Nelson, and the oath Of Office
was administered by Mr.. Frye, the presi-
dent pro TEN.
Mr.. Towne was congratulated warmly
by many of his colleagues as he took his
seat OH the Democratic side of the cham
ber.
A hill to provide for the appointment of
an additional district judge in the north
ern judicial district of Ohio was passed.
Mr.. Hanna (O) offered resolution
that a committee of three senators be
appointed by the president pro tenn. to
make the necessary arrangements for
the inauguration of the president of the
United States on the 4th OF March next
Under the rules the resolution went over.
The senate after the transaction Of
some routine business on motion of Mr..
Lodge went into executive session.
The House.
The day under the rules of the house
belonged to the District of Columbia
committee, but owing to the desire of
the leaders to proceed with the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial appropriation
bill, District day was postponed for Il
week. The legislative bill was immedi-
ately taken up.
Mr.. Bingham tPa.), who was in
charge of the measure, made a prelimi-
nary statement of Its contents, after
which, there being no desire to speak
from either side Of the house, general de-
bate was closed, and the bill was read for
amendment under the five minute rule.
Both parties in the recent campaign,
Mr.. Bingham said. pledged themselves to
economy and retrenchment. The pend
ing bill-the first OF the big money bills
was step In that direction.
Mr.. Robinson tInd.) expressed the opln-
ion that II -retrcnchment was desired a
provision should be inserted In the bill to
cut OF the 30 days sick leave In addition
TO the 80 days leave now allowed the
clerks In the.executive departments.
Mr.. Bingham, explained that such Iegis-
lation did not come Within the purview of
the pending bili.t The law left the ques-
tion of leave within the discretion OF the
various heads Of departments.
Mr.. Robinson protested that clerks In
the government service outside OF Wash
inston did not receive the same leave
privileges received by those here, and he
thought the unjust discrimination against
the former should cease.
An amendment providing for IL addi-
tional temporary clerks to dispose Of the
accumulated business In the office of the
comptroller of the treasury was adopted.