Crawford avalanche., 1900-04-05

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Mr.. Foraker, in charge OF the Porto
Rican bill In the Senate, on Monday an
nounced that, beginning with that ses-
sion. he would press the measure to q
vote as soon as possible. The Alaska
civil code bill was under consideration
during the greater part of the session
An amendment was agreed to fixing q
license upon almost every kind of trade
and commerce in the district of Alaska.
the licenses ranging from SO to $500 per
annum. The measure had not been dis
posed Of at the conclusion of the session
The House entered upon the considera-
tion of the army appropriation bill. Mr..
Jett Qll.) criticised the policy of rushing
officers through the high grades Of the
army just prior to retirement. Mr.. Cox
(Tenn.) and Mr.. Ridgely Kan.) opposed
generally q permanent increase OF the
army as prejudicial to the best interests
of the country. and Mr.. Meyer Na.) dis
cussed the Philippine policy. opposing the
retention of the islands.
On Tuesday the Senate agreed to the
conference report on the pension appro-
priation bill. Devoted the rest of the day
tO ueDdte Oh AldSkuu CIVIL cOue Ufu
and the Porto Rico problem. In the
House there was lively debate during the
consideration of the army appropriation
bill. The charge, that the Porto Rican
tariff bill was the result of a deal for
raising Republican campaign fund was
again referred to by Mr.. Pierce (Tenn.l,
but Mr.. Hull declared the anonymous
author Of the charge would never dare
fn a.I h.
falsifer. Mr. Sulzer IN. ~ made an ap-
peal for the extension of official sym
pathy TO the Beers in their struggle for
independence, and Mr.. Lentz Of Ohio de-
lvered a scathing denunciation of mill
tarism and the war in the Philippines.
This attack aroused the Indignation of
Mr.. Marsh Qll.), who declared Mr..
Lentz's speech was disgrace to Con-
gress.
The Senate on Wednesday agreed to
vote on the Porto Rico bill Tuesday af-
ternoon, April 3. Listened 20 speech
by Mr.. Davis in support of free trade.
Amended the. Alaskan civil code bill by
declaring void all permits heretofore Civ
en- to mine for gold in tide waters under
the jurisdiction of the United States and
allowing all citizens Of the United States
to do such mining under regulations i'm
posed by organized mining districts. De-
feated the Morgan free coinage amend
ment to the Porto Rican bill by vote Of
10 yeas to 33 nays. In executive ses-
sion the Democrats broke quorum and
prevented confirmation Of the appoint
ment of William ID. Bynum as a member
of the board Of general appraisers at New
York. The House devoted the day to
consideration of the army appropriation
bill. Several minor amendments were
adopted. and about half the bill was con-
sidered. Mr.. briggs (N. " created a
diversion by charging reckless extrava-
gance in the fitting up of the transport
Sumner and preciptated lively tilt upon
the subject. He gave notice that later
he should ask the House to investigate
the subject. The conference reports on
the urgent deficiency and the pension ap-
preparation bills were agreed to.
The Senate on Thursday agreed to the
conference report on the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill. Heard an
extended speech by Mr.. Beveridge in sup
port Of free trade with Porto Rico. BY
vote of IL yeas to 81 nays refused to
strike out the committee amendment to
the Porto Rico bill imposing a duty Of
5 cents pound upon coffee imported
into the island. BY vote of 16 yeas
to 33 nays refused to strike out the pro-
vision for duty of 10 per cent Of the
Dingley law rates on products Of Porto
Rico imported into the United States
The House passed the army appropriation
bill in form only slightly modified from
that in which it came from the commit
tee. One of the amendments adopted
opens the soldiers homes to the officers
and men of the volunteer and regular
prmies incapacitated by service during
Ar since the Spanish war; An incident Of
tie day was a defense of the War De
paCtment against the charge of reckless
exGavagance in the fitting up Of the
trar sport Sumner, made by Mr.. briggs
of \ Aw York the previous day. Mr. Par
ker IN. j. produced the itemized ex-
pens4 furnished by the War Department
to sh there had been no extravaganza
Vince Boering's right to his seat from
the e enth Kentucky district was con-
frmed without opposition. His seat
was ptested by Mr.. White, another
Reput Ian.
The pnate on Friday heard Mr.. Proc
tor in hpport of free trade with Porto
Rico Mr.. Pettus on the constitutional
phases the problem. During the lat
ter's ST ch he convulsed his colleagues
with b |orous sallies at the expense of
Senator Gallinger and Beverdge. De-
voted Il rest of the day to consideration
OF the to Rican subject. The House
devoted e day to war claims, taking
no actiof Importance thereon. Adopt
ed the co erence report on the diplomatic
and cons appropriation bill.
On Satu ay the Senate completed con-
sideration the Porto Rican bill with
the except p of two amendments. SEN
atcr Fairbd Ks made a lengthy speech de-
tending the per cent tariff. Bills were
passed gran ing lands to the State Of
Alabama foY the education of colored
students, an to establish a light and
fog signal az Browns Point, Puget
Sound. The House passed the fortiiica-
tions appropriation bill as il came from
the committeel 1t carries S7,093,4S A
three hours political debate was precipi-
tated by general political speech made
by Mr.. Shattuc of Ohio. many members
on both sides being drawn into it. A.
resolution was adopted 10 re-eect the
present board or managers Of the nation
al soldiers home.
National Capital Notes.
Republicans Have a majority of IS /.
the House.