Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1900-02-17
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
What Is Being Done in The FIfty-sixth
General Assembly.
FEBRUARY SIXTH.

FEBRUARY SIXTH
Senator Aldrich, chairman OF the finance
Committee. offered an amendment to the finance
bill that nothing in the bill shall interfere with
efforts to secure international bimetalisIn.
Senator Pettus (Ala-) offered smother provf-
ding that the bill shall not be construed 20 affect
lars.
Senator Chandler offered one in the same
line; and Senator Jones (Ark) gave notice OF
amendment providing for an urgency fund OF
S5O.000. 900 in treasury notes.
The Senate passed a joint resolution provi-
ling for the appointment of a woman commits
sIoner to represent the United States and the
Natlonal society OF the daughters OF the Revo-
| luton at the unwilling OF the statue OF Lafay.
ette at Paris.
FEBRUARY SEVEN.
The Senate committee on foreign relations
met to consider the Nicaragua canal treaty.
There was some opposition to it yet there Is
likely to be a favorable report.
The Senate agreed to the conference on the
urgent deficiency bill, thus passing the measure.
Senator Foraker gave notice of taking up the
bill providing a government for Puerto Rico.
An agreement was made to give right OF way to
the financial bill each day.
Senator Penrose penny introduced bill
extending the pension laws to persons who
served In the civil war one month
The house resumed consideration of the dip
lomatic and consular appropriation bill. The
discussion OF this bill was closed by Mr.. Sha-
forth (Col) in a speech in favor of mediation
by the Uuited States in the South African war
Debate on the Puerto tariff bill is to COM
mence on the 18th and is limited to one week
faVorably on the bill to establish soldiers
home at Johnson City, Tenn, to cost $3.50, 600.
FEBRUARY EIGHT.
Senator Penrose presented a resolution re.
quiring the president to detail naval vessels tc
go to Delagoa Bay to maintain our commercial
rights in Portuguese waters
The Senate committee Agriculture heard
Governor Brady of Alaska on farming oppor-
Senator Depew IN. " read letter from
President Schurman of the Philippine commits
sion cOntrad1cttng statements in Senator Petit
Gneach
Senators who place the word of Aguinslde
above that of Schurman and Admiral Dewey
Senator Petttgrew replied, reiterating state
mentS which he had made.
Senator Penrose introduced bill authorizing
the printing Of the proceedings of the G.. A. R.
encampment a government document, and
for their distribution among the G. A. r. posts
The house received majority and minority
reports on the tariff bill for Puerto Rico.
viding for the purchase bv the limited States
from New York. of the Erie canal, and for its
coo 600.
FEBRUARY NINE
Credentials of John w. Gear were presented,
he having been elected Senator from Iowa for
full term commencing March 4, 1901.
Senator Baker CKas) introduced a bill au-
thortZing j. II. AFTER and Davis Hill to con-
struct and operate telephone system in the
Indian Territory and Oklahoma.
a bill was passed to define and regulate proof
In certain pension cases.
A committee substitute was reported for the
bill providing department of commerce, with
a cabinet officer. Under it the patent Office will
be transferred to the new department
The Senate passed bills: giving $1,000 for
ment to mark to site OF the Fort Kearney
massacre granting to the State of Kansas the
The Senate then adjourned to attend the
funeral of General Lawton.
In the house few bills were passed but
there were none of especial interest in the west.
ably on the bill allowing a second homestead to
one VINO has COMMITTED or has lost his home
stead without REIMBURSEMENT for value.
The house then adjourned for the funeral of
General Lawton.
FEBRUARY TEN.
Senator Jones (Arlz.) introduced free silver
substitute for the pending currency bill
Senator Allen offered a resolution of active
sympathy for the Beers There was not a dozen
Senator's who had taken their places, and they
Allen however bowed to the request of the pre-
siding officer that it should be reconsidered and
Senator Nelson offered an amendment to the
currency bill permitting the organization of
national banks in towns of 1000 and over with
e25, 900 capital.
The Senate in executive session ratified the
extradition treaty with Peru, and the Mexican
boundary treaty.
At last nights pension session of the house
number Of private pension bills were passed
and 81 more of them were favorably acted upon
In committee OF the whole. There was a
quorum present. The house held no session
today.
FEBRUARY TWELVE.
The Senate debate on the finance bill was OF
unusual interest The public galleries were
hlled. Senator Elkins opened the debate, fol-
lowed by Senators Wolcott and Butler.
The Senate committee on commerce has re-
ported favorably the bill extending the time
mat live stock may be confined in cars in pro-
cess OF transportation from twenty-eight hours
20 forty hours.
The house passed batch OF IS private pen
sion bills dozen bills relating to the District
of Columbia were disposed of.
MIR. Payne On. V called up the bill to permit
transit through the United States of goods in
bond The bill has proYiso suSpending its
operation SO far as goods for the Mexican free
zone is concerned
The effect of the passage of this bill would be
to secure to American railroads the carrying of
commerce between Europe and Asiatic ports
that would otherwise pass through Canada or
Mexico.
The appropriation committee completed and
reported the executive, legislative and judicial
appropriation BILL carrying the salaries of off,
Gals in all branches of the public service. The
estimates submitted aggregate 81, Ol9, 269 and
the bill appropriates S23, S74, ST.. The changes
are comparatively few.