The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-05-25
IN THE SENATE OVER THE STANDING
OF THE BOER ENJOYS.
ADMISSION TO FLOOR OF SENATE
Senator Aliens Resolution Extending
This Courtesy to Them Holly Debat-
ed Then Voted Down-Senate Passes
Postofnce Bfll-House Passes the
Eight Hour Contract Law and the
Bill Prohibiting Interstate Com
merce I'm Prison Made Goods.
SENATE.


commissioners now in Washington
was precipitated in the senate today
by a resolution offered by Senator
Allen, populist, of Nebraska, extending
to the commissioners the privileges of
the floor Of the senate during their So
journ in the national capital. The res
olution was defeated by a vote of 36
to q. but not until after a sharp con-
troversy between its author and Sena-
tor Davis. chairman of the committee
on foreign relations. Senator Allen
maintained that the resolution was in
line with precedents, while Senator
Davis contended that, in the peculiar
circumstances, the senate ought not
to take any action that might be con-
sidered a recognition of the Boer dip
lomats until the president, who alone
had the power to receive diplomatic
representatives, had taken action.
An effort was made by Senator Nor
gan, of Alabama, to displace the
Spooner Philippine bill with the Mica
ragua canal bill as the unfinished bust
ness, but it failed by a vote of q to 2S.
investigation by his inter-oceanic ca
nal committee looking to ascertaining
whether there is any corporation or
organization of individuals whose pur-
pose is the obstruction of the United
States in constructing an isthmian ca
nal and for other purposes, was adop-
ted.
The resolution relating to the Mon
tana senatorial case went over until
next Thursday.
Senator Sullivan, of Mississippi, Of
fered a resolution directing the secre-
tary of the treasury to inform the
senate whether volunteer officers and
| men in the late war with Spain were
paid twice for the same service-Re-
ferred to the committee on military
affairs.
The resolution offered on Saturday
| by Senator Allen, of Nebraska, extend
| ing to (Messrs. Fischer, Vessels and
| Wolmorans, the BOer delegates now in
Washington, the privileges of the floor
of the senate was laid before the SEN
| ate and Senator Allen supported it in
| an extended speech. He maintained
| it was the universal practice of the
senate to extend to such visitors the
courtesies of the senate. He cited as
precedents the senate's recognition Of
| John Stuart Parnell years ago, and
more recently Lord Herschell and the
| members of the joint high commission
| from Canada and said our friendly Off
ces and our natural sympathy was
| all that was sought in the present case.
Senator Pettus, of Alabama, and
! Senator Davis, of Minnesota, chair
| man of the foreign relations commit
| tee, pointed out the constitution pro-
| vision that ambassadors and minis
| ters should be received by the presi-
dent Senator Davis said no foreign
| ambassador or minister to this govern
| ment is entitled to admission to the
| floor When the Canadian commits
| sioners were received he explained no
| such question was pending as that
| which has brought these gentlement
| here.
| Senator Allen explained the resolu-
| ton does not bind the senate or the
| government to recognize them official
| ly.
| Senator Mason, supporting the reso-
luton. argued that the senate alone
| could determine who should be admit
| ted to it's floor.
Senator Davis said whether the South
| African republics were Independent
| or not was not the question, but that
| it is a fact that the United States has
never sent diplomatic representatives
there. Consuls were not diplomatic
officers. 'It is no part of the functions
| of either branch of congress" he said
| other, on the diplomatic character OF
such agents or whether they shall be
| received as such or not. That is pure
1y an executive function"
After reading the resolution to show
that it recognized the delegates as com
missioners, Senator Davis said he fel
| bound to say that these delegates have
proceeded in a manner entirely irregu
lar and premature. Before they have
been received by president they have
appeared in public meetings and have
stated the object of their mission ant
that they desire to gain the sympath!
and good offices Of this government
and seek to create public opinion tt
influence the action Of the government
! Senator Davis cut off debate by NOV
ing TO lay the resolution on the table
The motion was agreed to-36 to q.
Consideration of the postoffice appro
priation bill was resumed, but Senato
Tillman announced that he proposed
to speak on the Boer question. He re
called in sarcastic vein the reception
of Kossuth, not only by the senate ant
by the peole of the United States; bu
also by the people of Great Britain
and then declared the voting down o
the resolution was "a cowardly truck
ling to British influence"
| Senator Hoar characterized the Boe
struggle as the best fighting done oil
L
than which there had been no hole
cause; but this is a diplomatic mission
he added, and he therefore opposed
| the resolution.
The amendment of Senator Lodge I
the postoffice appropriation bill wa
agreed to 3S to 20. 1t appropriate
1925 900 to carry out existing contract
for the pneumatic tube service, tn
service not to be extended until con
gress had taken further action.
Senator Wolcott then offered com
mittee amendment directing the post
master general to make an 1nvestiga
of pneumatic tube service and re
port-to congress whether it would b
advisable to continue the service a
i at present, discontinue it, or have l
acquired by the government. tn
amendment carried $4,000 and wa
agreed to.
The bill as amended was reported t
the senate. The bill was then passed
AT sos p. m. the senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The house today, under suspension O
the rules, passed two important bill
reported by the committee on labor
One to extend the eight hour law Il