The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1901-01-24
House.

Washington, Jan. 10.-The house
spent the entire day on the bill to re-
fer to the court of claims the claims
of the William Cramp & Sons Ship
building company, of Philadelphia,
for alleged damages due to the delay
of the government in furnishing ar
NOR plate and material for the bat
tleships Massach uSetts and Indiana
and the cruisers New York and Co
lumbia. The claims aggregate ST.
367,2+4. The bill has been eOnspicu-
Gus at every session of congress for
several years. II met with the siren
uous and determined opposition of a
portion OF the minority under the
leadership OF Mr.. McDermott On. j.
and Mr.. Robb (Mo.). 4 filibuster
was finally begun, but its advocates
at length cceeded in having the
previous question ordered upon the
bill. The house then adjourned. The
ordering of the previous question
gives the bill tactical advantage in
a parliamentary way which practical
ly insures a vote upon it whenever it
is called up again.
Check for canal Bill.
Washington, Jan. 19.-The repub-
ican senator's decided Friday not to
set a day, at least for the present,
for taking up the Nicaragua canal
bill. The decision was reached after
an hour and a half spent in caucus
and was unanimous. The caucus was
called largely because of Senator Nor
gan's opportunities in behalf of the
bill and an earnest effort was made
to effect satisfactory solution of the
problem. There was a general eX-
change of views and many speeches
were made, but after all had been
said the senators concluded that so
long as Great Britain's attitude to-
ward the amendments to the Hay
Pauneefote treaty is underlined it
would not be wise or eXpedient to
agitate the question of the construc-
ton of the proposed canal. Senator
Allison. chairman of the caucus, was
authorized to make this statement to
Senator Morgan and other friends of
the canal bill and to the public gen
orally. In giving it out he laid stress
upon the fact that this conclusion
was "for the present" He also stated
that the question of what attention
should be given to the ship subsidy
bill and to the appropriation bills
| was not discussed. "That matter is
| in the hands of the senate" he said.
Declare for Independent Action.
Notwithstanding the formal decision
to leave the canal question in allegiance
for the time. several senators gave no
tice that in case there should be a mo-
| ton to take up the canal bill, they
would not be bound by the resolution
| adopted. but would vote for a motion
| TO consider. In this expression of in
! dependence Senator Platt, of New
York was the leader. He said he con
sidered the pro opposed canal of prime i'm.
portance and would not refrain from
voting to take it up whenever a motion
to that effect is made. Senators
Simon. Foster and Bard followed with
similar declarations. They did not
however. express determination tc
themselves initiate a movement in be
half of the canal bill, and it was sug
gested that Senator Morgan could be
prevailed or TO allow the present status
TO remain.
Other Bills Discussed.
! No decision was reached upon Other
questions, because no formal actor
was considered necessary. There was
however, considerable discussion OF
other questions. Among these were thu
ship subsidy bill, the war revenue re
duetion bill the confirmation Of Ar
Harlan as attorney general Of Purt'
Rico, the ratification of the tire atty viii
Spain for the acquisition OF some o
the Philippine islands nor included il
the original Paris treaty and the appro
priation bills.
Two Years Long Enough.
Washington, Jan. 2l.--Reports fron
the Philippines indicate great deal o
sickness prevailing among both naya
and army officers on duty in tn
archipelago. Leng terms of duty i
these islands are likely to impair tn
most robust constitutions. according