Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-16

House joint resolution in favor of a consti-
tutional amendment providing for the cleo
ton of United States senators by the peo-
pie was laid before the Senate. As it was
about to be referred to the committee on
privileges and elections Mr.. Butler On. c.
asked that 1t be read. and then addressed
the Senate briefly. He declared 1t was the
function of a committee of the Senate to
consider, not to smother legislation. He
thought this question had been SO thor
oughly considered that 1t was not necessary
to send it to a committee. and he therefore
moved that it be placed on the calendar.
Mr. Chandler, chairman of the committee
on privileges and elections, said that as
Mr.. Butler was disposed to make imputa-
tions upon the committee he desired right
now 10 inform him that he was mistaken.
II do not h. said, with a snap, quite
like to have the senator attack the commit
tee on privileges and elections in advance of
its action upon the measure
Mr.. Hoar called attention to the gravity
of the proposition submitted. that the mat
ter should not be considered by commit
tee of the Senate. He did not approve of
the proposed amendment, holding that its
adoption would give the United States two
legislative bodies, both chosen by the peo-
pie in popular elections, the only difference
being that the senators would have larger
MIR. Hoar was astonished that such a
proposition should be pressed seriously by
the senator from North Carolina. as it was
manifest that the great states Of the east
and west would not give such a proposition
the stamp Of their approval.
Mr.. Pettus (Ala-) expressed his regret
that reflections had been made upon the
committee on privileges and elections.
mo committee he said, Ought to be
driven by any hard words that may be ut
tered against 1t by anybody from consid-
ering any subject carefully. especially when
the proposition involves the pulling down
This ought not to be done in haste"
The motion to place the resolution on the
calendar was withdrawn, and it was re-
ferred to the committee privileges and
elections.
MIR. Hale presented an additional urgency
deficiency bill, and it passed without
debate.
A bill providing for the removal to a
proper district for trial of persons indicted
in United States courts was also passed.
GOttfried's Claim Against Peru.
Mr.. Davis tMinn.) reported from the com
mittee foreign relations the following
resolution, and 1t was adopted: THAT the
Secretary of State be directed to send to the
Senate copy Of the memorial of Edward
Gottfried, a citizen of Wilkesbarre, Pa and
late consular agent of the United States
at Trujillo, Peru, sworn to March II 1900
now on HE IN the state Department. to-
gether with all papers, letters and exhibits
attached to said memorial, and Also copies
of all CORRESPONDENCE of this government
and that of Peru and of any opinions Oh
decisions of the Department Of State in con.
nection with the action of party of Pc
ruvian revOlutionists against the constitu
tiOnal government of Peru on and after
| August 2S, 1898, the mernorialist at the time
| being consular agent of the United State
| in Peru, the wrongdoers perpetrating 1t i.
| alleged, depredatlons ON his property anC
injuries and indignities upon his person IL
| violation of treaty rights"
| A bill was passed authorizing the Obi,
| Valley Electric Railway Company to con
| struct bridge over the Big Sandy rive
| from kenOva, w. Va. to Catlettsburg, Ky
The Alaskan Bill.
The Senate then resumed consideration o
| the Alasan civil code bill. the pending
question being an amendment offered b,
Mr.. Stewart to regulations for the min
| ing of gold below low water mark along tn
| coast of Alaska