Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-05-10
CONGRESSIONAL NOTES.

1t was suspension day in the house
on the eth, and quite a number of bills
were passed. The most important was
the senate bill TO amend the general
| pension laws so as TO provide for aggre-
| eating disabilities under the act of 1890
| without regard to service origin, and
To increase the net income widow
may have without destroying her right
to a pension from 500 to $3.50. The
purpose of the bill is TO modify rulings
Of the pension office in accordance with
the recommendations of the &. A. r.
1t was passed without an dissenting
voice. Bills were also passed authoriz-
ing the establishment on the coast of
North Carolina of station to investi-
gate problems connected with marine
fisheries interests of middle and south
Atlantic states at cost not TO exceed
$i2 800; to change the name of the
steamship Paris of the American line
TO Philadelphia; to authorize the inter
nal revenue commissioner to redeem
internal revenue stamps improperly
and unnecessarily cancelled; to con-
struct dam across the st. Joseph river,
Michigan; to grant right of way across
government lands for pipe line to Flag
staff, Ariz., and to regulate the collec-
ton and disbursements of rents of the
Seneca nation, New York.
President Mckinley is said to have
forced an agreement between the house
and senate conferees on the amend
ment to the Puerto Rican bill on April
30. Senator Foraker had previously
refused point blank to accept the Cooper
amendments, which were designed to
prevent the exploitation of the island
by mortgage. syndicates and franchise
grabbers. The conference was easily
the most earnest and animated meet
ing which the house and senate con-
ferees had held. Puerto Rico will
have to get along for some months to
come with her p esent military rulers,
but the island is reasonably safe from
the schemes OF cXplo, tation tGat were
formed while the Foraker civil govern
ment bill was being framed. The bill
became a law on the lst.
The senate committee ON postoffices
and post roads on the 3D. completed the
postotlice appropriation bill. The net
increase in the bill is about 81 900. 900,
which includes the restoration of the
provision for the pneumatic tube SER
vice first reported by the house com
mittee. 1t provides sees. 900 for con-
tinuing the present contracts and adds
$500, 600 for extension of the service to
other cities in addition to those where
it has not been in use.
The senate in executive session on
the 4th ratified treaty negotiated
with all the maritime nations of the
world, extending the Geneva confer
ence regulations to naval warfare.
These regulations have long applied to
war on land, and under the treaty hos
pital ships will be under the same pro-
lection as hospital tents and buildings
on land.
The Nicaraguan canal bill passed tile
house on the afternoon of the I'd. Not
withstanding the solemn warning from
the most conservative and intelligent
men on either side large majority OF
the members fairly fell over each other
to vote for the bill which, if it became
law, would almost be certain to involve
this country in war. 1t is intimated
that many who voted for the bill would
not have done so did they not feel GER
tain that the senate would prevent its
passage in that body. The vote on the
measure was 225 to 35.
The bill making en- annual appro-
priation of $1,000, 900 instead of $780,
600 to provide arms and equipments for
the National Guard of the various
states, passed the house by vote of
1873 TO on the 9TH
The senate bill creating congress
sional commission to visit the orient to
investigate commercial conditions is
said to be likely to meet its death in
the house.
The senate has agreed to the amend
ments of the bill retiring Capt. d. b.
Hodgsdon of the revenue cutter service
on full pay
President Mckinley on the 4th signed
the joint resolution passed by congress
retiring Capt. ID. Il. Hodgsdon.
The senate on the LIST passed the Al |
aslxan civil code bill and then took up |
the army appropriation bill.
Congress may adjourn early in June.