Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-12-26
NICARAGUAN CANAL.
4 Special Order for the Bill to Be
Taken Up January 7.
DEARNOND MAKES An EXPLANATION.


Washington, Dec. 2O.-Befors the
house adjourned yesterday ever the
holiday recess special order was
made for the consideration of the
Nicaraguan bill, beginning on Tues
day, January Z, and to continue until
the bill is disposed Of, the order not,
however, to interfere with revenue or
appropriation bills. The session Of
the house was brief, the major por-
ton Of the time being occupied by
Mr.. DeArmond, Of Missouri, in making
personal explanation regarding re-
ports circulated in his district con-
corning his course In the matter Of
the extension of the rural free de-
livery.
The speaker finally ruled that no
question Of personal privilege had
been presented, whereupon Mr.. De-
Almond obtained unanimous consent
to make privileged statement. He
explained that reports were circulated
in his district that he had caused ac-
ton on free delivery routes to be
held up during his absence in the
Philippines. Those reports, he said,
were circulated by those who lied
and knew they lied. He read letters
addressed by him to the first assist
ant postmaster general last April,
none of which, he said, had ELECTED
reply. He also had read letter re-
ceived by him after his return from
the orient, but dated July 8, saying
certain rural free delivery route
would be established, and another
dated July 6, saying the action spoken
of in the letter of July 3 had been
"held up" to await the final action
of the postmaster general. Mr.. De-
Almond said he wondered whether
the postmaster general, who had
just announced his purpose of leav-
ing the cabinet, was going because
he was wearied by the great labor
of solving this question. In conclu-
sion Mr.. DeArmond declared that the
department had not treated him
frankly, fairly or in manly way"
It had not answered the pertinent
question regarding the division of
carriers between the parties. lie
charged that the conduct of the de-
partment was in the interest of GER
tain republican bosses in Missouri,
one of whom hoped to get into the
United States senate.
Mr.. Jenkins, of Wisconsin, intro
duced a measure providing for con-
stitutional amendment providing for
complete governmental regulation OF
trusts and other commercial corpora
tions. The amendment is substan-
italy the same as the one he pro-
posed last year. which was favor
ably reported by the house commit
tee on judiciary and received the sup
port of the majority in the house,
although the vote was not the neces-
sary two-thirds required on constitu-
tional amendments.
Mr.. Pearre, Of Maryland. introduced
bill to revive the grade of vice adj
miral and promote Rear Admirals
Sampson and Schley and Capt. Clark
to that grade.
At 1.15 o'clock the house adjourned
until January 6, 1902.
Bill to Pension Mrs. Mckinley.
Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Han
ma yesterday introduced bill grant
ing pension of $1,000 year to Mrs.
Mckinley, widow Of the late presi-
dent. 1t has been reported that the
Indiana senators would introduce a
bill granting pension of $1,000 a
year to the widow of ex-President
Benjamin Harrison, but much opposi-
ton developed on the ground that
Mr. Harrison married after he left the
white house.
A bill was introduced by Senator
Mitchell fixing So as the maximum
rate of wages to be paid to women
in the employ of the government.
A bill was introduced by Senator
Penrose, Of Pennsylvania, reviying
the grade of vice admiral of the navy,
similar to the one introduced in the
house.
At one p. IN. the senate adjourned