Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-07
RIGHT OF CONGRESS.
Bacon Says Departments Must Fur
nish Papers to Senate
The SAMPSON. SCHLEY CONTROVERSY



Against spain.
Washington, Feb. 5.-The ship sub
sidy bill was laid aside informally
by the senate yesterday to permit
consideration Of the appropriation
bills. This action was taken late in
the day on Senator Allison's request
that the District Of Columbia appro.
priation bill be taken up. Senator
Frye, in charge Of the shipping bill,
who had said he would not give way
to appropriation bills without vote
Of the senate, was not in the chamber
at the time, but Senator Aldrich, Sen
ator Hanna and others interested IN
the measure were present and Joined
in the general assent given to Sena-
tor Allison's request. The shipping
bill holds its place and as the un-
finished business can be taken up
when the appropriation bills are not
occupying attention. The District of
Columbia bill will occupy the atten-
ton Of the senate to-day.
The subsidy bill did not receive at-
tention yesterday, the greater part Of
the time Of the senate being given TO
listening to a speech by Senator Ba-
con, of Georgia, on the right Of the
senate to demand information on file
in the executive departments. He
took the position that the depart
ments are the creatures Of congress
and that departmental denial of any
demand for papers on file was pre-
posterous, contending that for 100
years there had been practically no
refusal to recognize this right.
At the instance of Senator Chan
dler the senate passed q resolution
calling upon the secretary of the navy
for list of members of Admiral
Simpsons feet whose names were
sent to the senate for promotion dur
ing the Fifty-ifth congress. Senator
Chandler said the occasion for his
presentation Of this resolution Was
found in the published letter written
by Secretary Long to Senator Nor
gan. He called attention to the fact
that while the list of officers for pro-
motion had been sent to the senate
during the last congress the president,
upon failure to act in that congress,
had not renewed the recommendation
for the present congress. He ex-
planned that the failure of the sel-
ate to act had been due to the Sanl,-
son-Schley controversy.
Senator Pettigrew said there had
been an effort to promote Sampson
over Schley, Notwithstanding Schley
had done the fighting and had pre-
viously outranked Sampson He said
the president afterwards had cor
rcctcd this injustice and that having
done this because of the attitude Of
the senate that body did not deserve
the sccretary's criticism. Proceed
ing, Senator Pettigrew declared that
the administration was disposed to
promote men "who have never sme.t
powder, like Corbin and Shafter.'
The joint resolution providing for
the appointment of three senators ard
three representatives to make a.
engagements for the Inauguration Of
the president and vice president was
taken up. On motion of Senator
Spooner it was amended by striking
out vice president and then passed..
The Claims Against Spain.
Washington, Feb. 5.-The house
yesterday passed the senate bill to
create commission to adjudicate tie
claims of United States citizens
against Spain which the government
of the United States assumed by the
treaty of Paris, after having amended
the bill so as to refer the claims to
the court of claims instead of to a
commission. A strong effort was
made to vote down the amendment
and pass the senate bill, but the ad-
vocates of this course were defeated
by majority of 49, A bill was
without debate passed to extend the
charters of national banks for another
period of 20 years after 1902, when
the present extension expires. Bills
to ratify the agreement with the
Grow Indians of Montana and to pro-
vide for the redemption of Hawaiian
coin at par were defeated. About an
hour was spent on the post Office ap-
preparation bill in the discussion OF
the amendment to reduce the railway
mail pay, but no action was taken.
The Indian appropriation bill was
sent to conference.
The centennial anniversary of the
installation Of John Marshall as chief
justice of the United States was CON-
memorated with impressive ceremc-
MES in the hall of representatives in
which both chambers met. Chief JUS
tice Fuller presided and Wayne Mac
Weigh was the principal orator.
THOMAS P. FENLON DEAD.