Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-26
Almost the Entire Senate Session
Taken Up with the Measure.
The NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Debate In the House Drifts Into Poll
tics aud stirs Up Partisan Ksncor-
Resolution on the stamp TAX
-.Free Homes" Bill.

delivered an address of nearly tire,
hours upon the mining laws of tn,
United States and their relation to tn,
proposed amendment of Senator
llansbrough as to the rights of alieI
locaters of claims. Senator Nelson, O
Minnesota; Senator Carter, of Mon
tana, and Senator Teller, of Colorado
discussed the pending amendment al
length, both Senator Nelson and Sen
ator Teller being particularly vigor
Gus in their denunciation of it.
An effort was made by Senator
Money, of Mississippi, and several Of
his democratic colleagues to Obtain
consideration for the bill to revive anC
amend an act to provide for the col
lection of abandoned property and
the prevention of frauds in insurrec.
tionary districts within the United
States and acts amendatory thereof
Strong opposition to the bill devel
oped on the part of Senator'S Hale
Chandler, Warren and others. Sena.
tor Hale declared that the bill, il
passed, would subject the United
States treasury to drain of proba-
bly, Sl50,000,000. Senator Money gave
notice that he would call up the bill
next Wednesday.
Senator Chandler introduced a bill
"for the prevention of the denial OF
the abridgment of the right of citi.
zens of the United States to vote on
account of color" In presenting the
bill Senator Chandler said that he did
so by request and was not prepared
to press Its consideration. He said
however, that he had drawn the bill
himself. 1t provides that "any re-
quirement or any qualification for
suffrage, prescribed by any state on
its constitution or laws which directly
or indirectly, by express words or by
any device or subterfuge, is adopted
to apply in its terms or in its opera
ton to the great body of the col
ored citizens of the state, while it is
not made to apply to the great body
of the white citizens, is hereby de-
clared to be unconstitutional, null
and imperative" Colored citizens
are also given the right of action of
damages against registration boards
refusing them the right to register.
Senator Hale reported from the sen
ate committee on naval affairs an
amendment to the naval appropria-
ton bill authorizing the president to
purchase from the government of
Spain for a sum not to exceed $780,.
600 the l0,O00-ton steel floating dry
dock belonging to that government
and now in the harbor of Havana.
Tho Naval Appropriation Bill.
Washington, April 10.-The debate
on the naval appropriation bill under
the tive-minute rule yesterday drifted
into politics in the house and in
the afternoon members fought ham
mer and tongs across the political
aisle. The partisan rancor almost
eliminated in a sensational scene be-
tween Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio, the
champion of the administration, and
Mr. Williams, of Mississippi Some
OF the democrats began worrying Mr..
llawley, of Texas, by pointedly ask
ing If the president had not changed
his mind on the Puerto Ri,an tariff
question and Mr.. Grosvenor finally
threw himself into the breach. Mr..
Williams made an interruption that
drew a sharp rejoinder from the
0hioan about the unfair" advantage
taken by the Mississippian. This
aroused the wrath of the latter and
after Mr.. Grosvenor had concluded he
made a singing response in which
he said parliamentary language would
not permit him properly to charac-
terize Mr.. Grosvenor's offense. Later
Mr. Grosvenor disclaimed intentional
affront and there the matter ended.
Some progress was made with the
BILL but most of the controverted
points went over.
Mr.. Grosvenor, Of Ohio, introduced
bill authorizing the president to ap-
point three volunteer officers as brig
adler generals with view to their
retirement. II is designed to benefit
Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee and Gen. James H. Wilson, all Of
them volunteer officers, who by the
terms Of the bill would be given rank
as brigadier generals in the regular
service and subsequently retired.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Massachusetts,
introduced resolution reciting the
recent supreme court decision that
the stamp tax on express packages
may be required to be paid by the
sender and NOT the companies. 1t de-
clares that as there is large current
surplus in the treasury such tax on
the people is not necessary and directs
the ways and means committee to re-
port a measure at once for the repeal
of this tax.
Mr.. Glynn, of New York, introduced
a resolution asking the secretary of
the navy for information as 10 the
charter of all transports and vessels
by the navy since the beginning of
the war with Spain; also a bill maxi
ing 81 minimum Of wages for the Ia
Dor of the government.
May 3 was set aside for the consid-