The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-12-13

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE senate was
in executive session for more than four
hours Thursday, the entire time being
devoted to the discussion by Senator
Morgan of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
for the abrogation of the portion of the
Clayton Bulwer treaty which relates to
the Nicaraguan canal. Discussing the
question of the fertilization of the
canal, Senator Morgan argued strenu-
ously against it, both as inexpedient
and unnecessary. He contended that
Great Britain was not the only power
whose interests would be affected by
provision for fertilization, and said that
Nicaragua and Costa RIGA had right
to be considered in that connection.
! Furthermore, in case of war everybody
! knew that the canal would be protected
| to the fullest extent. so that any pro-
/ vision whatever bearing upon this
point was needless.
/ Revenue Reduction Bill Ready.
| Washington, Dec. THE ways and
means committee voted to report the
revenue reduction bill as introduced,
with an amendment making the act
take effect on it's passage instead of
30 days thereafter. All substitutes
and amendments by the minority were
defeated 6 to 9.
When the meeting closed at IL o'clock
! Mr.. Payne, with the concurrence of Mr..
Richardson. authorized the proceed
ings to be given out in detail. Mr.. Rich
ardson's motion on the beer tax was
the first test of strength. 1t provided
for a fiat rate of one dollar per barrel
instead of two dollars. This was lost
to 9-on a strict party vote. Mr..
Swanson (Va.) then moved to recommit
the bill to a subcommittee with in
structions to prepare measure max
ing $60,O00,O00 reduction. Lost by the
same vote. Mr.. Swanson next unsuc-
cessfully moved to eliminate all special
taxes on tobacco dealers imposed by
the war revenue act. Mr.. Underwood
(Ala.) presented a substitute bill re-
pealing the entire war revenue act, pro-
viding for three per cent. tax on
incomes over SO, COO and reenacting the
present inheritance tax. On this vote
two of the democrats, Mcclellan IN.
W and Newlands CNev.), did not vote,
the result being the defeat of the sub
stitute, 4 to 0. Mr.. Underwood moved
to restore the tax on telephone mes
sages, and Mr.. Newlands offered an
amendment restoring it to telegraph
messages, but requiring the companies
to pay the tax. Both propositions were
lost, 6 to 8. Mr.. Cooper (TeX.) offered
an amendment striking out the exemp-
ton of religious and charitable insti-
tutions in the tax on inheritances. This
was lost on a viva voce vote. On mo-
ton of Mr.. Hopkins (Ill.) the final Sec
ton was changed, making the act take
effect Immediately on its passage. On
Mr.. Dalzelrs final motion to report the
bill to the house the democrats did not
vote, and the report to the house was
ordered. Mr.. Payne stated that the
majority report would be presented by
Saturday. The proceedings were
marked by good feeling, and Mr.. Rich
ardson stated that the minority would
not interpose factious opposition on
the floor of the house.
To Connect Lake and River.
Washington, Dec. THE war de.
partment sent to congress reports or
a number of important river and har
Dor projects, including THAT for CON
Meeting the Mississippi river with Lake
Michigan by means Of the Illinois river
and the Chicago sanitary canal, and
also for extensive improvements Of the
Sault Ste. Marie river, connecting
Lakes Superior and Huron. The total