The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-15

candepower. and no part 0i this appropriation
| shall be used for electrq lighting By means OF
wirrs that may exist ~ cyet any oi the streets
| or areuues of the city ofiWashhgton
Mr. Boutell asked question or two
| anout the Washington water supply. He
| declared that at present it was and for
some time past had been Unfit for drinking
purposes.
Various Topics Discussed.
Mr.. Adsmson, member of the Commit
tee on Interstate and, Foreign Commerce.
addressed the committee in favor of the
construction of the Nlcarag ia Canal, to be
operated and controlled by the United
| States.
The next hour was occupied by Mr. Cow
herd, who spoke against holding the Phil
! iIpines quoting Jefferson to the effect
| that whenever you force us into European
alliances and into European -broils, you
| render us much less happy and prosper
GUS And IL was exactly that policy the
Republicans openly avowed, and yet, he
| said they asserted that they were fol-
lowing JeffersoDan presidents.
He was followed by Mr.. Howard. who
spent an hour in arguing against the re-
tention of the Philippines. There was no
advantage that he could see to accrue 10
| the United States from their possession.
Mr.. Rucker addressed the committee in
favor OF a constitutional amendment pro-
viding for the uniform election of United
States Senators by the people of the sev-
eral States.
Referring TO Mr. Cowherd's denial that
there was any parallel between the con-
quest ana holding of the Philippines and
the acquisition OF any other territory
since the organization of the Government,
Mr.. Boutell asserted that there was an
exact parallel between" that ard the con-
quest OF California and that of the North
west territory. The speaker said that the
idea of holding the lands acquired by the
Treaty of Paris to enhance the glory of
the army of the nation was repugnant TO
every fibre of his being. The idea OF hold
ing them for commercial advantage and
gain only was almost as repugnant. II
the nation did not hold them for the pur-
pose OF preserving its honor unsullied and
for the benefit of the people of the Islands
ii would not have the approval of the god
OF nations.
The Morning. Routine.
Before the House resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole a resolution Of
fered by Mr. Graft of Illinois was agreed
to providing for the consideration Of pri-
vate claim bills on alternate Fridays.
Mr.. DalZel reported resolution from
the Committee on Rules authorizing the
appointment of committee of three mem
bers to examine the collection of bills re-
ports. and documents, and to recommend
methui for disposing of the accumula-
ton.
A House bill was passed granting quit
claim to the city OF Santa Fe of fou-
square Spanish leagues of land in that
city. having for its centre the Soldiers
Monument n the Plaza of the city: the
city officials TO quit claim to the individ-
ual holders Of real estate. The necessity
for this action arose from a decision by
the Court of Private Land Claims that the
original grant Of the land made a century
or more aTo was defective.
The conf ference report on the bill to
enlarge the powers OF the Choctaw Okla
homa and Gulf Railroad Company was pre-
sented by M. Curtis and it was agreed
to. No important change was made in the
bill.
At 4:50 O'Clock the, House adjourned