Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-05-29
WORK OF CONGRESS.
SENATE.

Saturday May 19.-After a spirited de-
bate, by the decisive vote of 80 to 16, laid
on the table the whole proposition relating
to the transportation of mail by the pneu-
secure the adoption Of an amendment to ap
propriate $225,OO0 to carry out existing con-
tracts for the service in New York, Brook
Ign, Boston and Philadelphia, but no action
was taken upon it, special orders suppressed
ing the appropriation bill. The closing
hours of the session were occupied in ac-
of Benton and Blair, located in Statuary
hall Of the capitol and from the Grand
Army Of the Republic the statue of Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant, located in the capitol
rOtunda.
Monday, May 21-A pyrotechnic discus
sion of the status of the Boer commission
ers now in Washington was precipitated in
the Senate today by resolution offered by
Mr.. Allen Pop, Neb) extending to the COM
missioners the privileges Of the floor OF the
Senate during their soiourn in the national
capital. The resolution was defeated by
vote Of 80 to p, but not until after sharp
controversy between its author and Mr.
Davis, chairman of the committee on foreign
relations The postofhce appropriation PHI
passed, the amendment to carry out
existing contracts for the pneumatic tube
service being agreed to. An effort was made
by Mr.. Morgan (Ala.l to displace the Spoon
er Philippine bin with the Nicaragua canal
bill as the unfinished business but it failed
by vote of 81 TO %. bill to create the
southern division of the southern district OF
Iowa for judicial purposes was passed.
Tuesday, May 22.-Heard Mr.. Spooner in
support of his resolution gy ,i the rres resi-
the suppression Of the rebellion Received
the credentials Of Senator Clark. of Mon
tana. on the appointment Of Lieut..
Spriggs, and allowed them temporarily to
lie on the table. Adopted a resolution by
Mr. Allen asking the President to send to
the Senate transIations of the constitutions
of the South African republic and the
Orange Free State; also one by MIR. Jones
of Arkansas directing the secretary or war
thoroughly to investigate the operations or
the North American Trust company n Ha-
vsna; also one by Mr.. Allen calling upon
the secretary of war for information regard
ing conditions in the Philippines.
Wednesday, May 23-Agreed to the con
ference report on the army appropriation
bill, passed the Morgan resolution Gaining
upon the secretaries of war and navy Tor
information regarding the cost or the trans
portation of troops to the Philippines, ana
devoted the rest of the day to debate on the
Cuban postal frauds, with Messrs. Platt
Comm, SpOoner and Hale as speakers
Thursday May 24.-Devoted the day to
debate on the nations duty toward its new
island possessions, Messrs. Spooner, Allen
and Bacon leading In the discussion Sent
Mr.. Bacon's resolution directing the com
mittee on relations with Cuba to make an
investigation into the islands finances
Friday, May 25.-Discussion of the
Spooner Philippine bill was continued by
MIR. Morgan. On the general question of
government of the islands by the United
Spocner and Lodge, but he regarded the
Spooner bill as unwise and dangerous egis
lation because of the great power it placed
in the hands of the President. Mr.. Allison
then called up the sundry civil approprfa-
ton bin, which carries $50. s12, $50, or over
$4000,000 more than the bill as it passed
the House. Sixty-five Of the 157 pages Of
the bill were disposed Of
HOUSE.
Saturday, May 19.-Day devoted to I'M
yelling of the Grand Army statue Of Gen
Ulysses s. Grant.
Monday, May 21.-Two important labor
measures were passed under suspension Of
the rules, one to extend the eight-hour law
to all laborers employed under contract on
government work, the other to prohibit in
terstate traffic in prison-ma goods by
bringing them under the jurisdiction of the
police powers of the state. Mr.. Payne, floor
leader of the majority, offered joint reso-
luton for q sine die adjournment of Con
gress on June g. 1t was referred to the
ways and means committee.
Tuesday, May 22.-Devoted the entire day
to the Alaskan civil government bill. An
amendment to reduce the number of judges
in Alaska from three to two was defeated.
The conference report on the army appro-
priation bill was adopted, the Senate amend
ment for the library at Manila having been
stricken out.
Wednesday, May 23.-Passed resolution
for sine die adjournment. June &; also reso-
luton authorizing committee on ways and
means to SIT during recess of Congress to
frame bill reducing war taxes; also the
Nicely eXtradition bill.
Thursday, May 24.-Devoted eight hours
to consideration of the Alaska civil govern
ment bill. Three amendments of Importance
were adopted. One authorizes the secretary
of war to issue permits to excavate or
dredge for gold below low water mark on
the beach at Cape Nome. The secretary
has heretofore issued permits, but the bill
it passed the Senate Cancelled them. An
other provides for a territorial delegate 20
Congress. The House also struck out the
chapter relating to arrest and bail which
permitted arrests in certain civil actions.
The conference report on the Indian appro-
priation bill was adopted.
Friday, May 25.-Devoted two hours to
consideration Of the Alaskan civil govern
ment bill without completing it. The
sion from noon until adjournment was de-
voted to private pension bills. Mr.. Talbert
Is. ca continued his obstructive tactics.
After 100 bills had been fayorably acted up
on in committee of the whole he blocked
their passage in the House with the point
of no quorum. Among the bills favorably
acted upon were the Senate measures to
pension the widow of Capt. Gridley, who
commanded the Olympia in the battle Of
Manila, at $50 month, the widow of Com
modore r. w. Meade at $40 month and
the widow of Gen. NJ. Il. Force of Ohio at
$50 month.
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