Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-22
56TH CONGRESS-.
A Number of Bills Passed If
House, Monday.
Bill for Indemnity Suits by Foreign
ers Dsastrousiy Beaten.
Senate lrlnsacts Considerable Business in
Executive Session.

Washington, Jan. 2i.-The House.
today, after devoting some time to Dis
trlct OF Columbia business, passed q
number Of bills under suspension of the
| rules. They We're to provide a home
for aged and infirm colored people. to
| establish branch soldiers home at
johnson City, Washington county,
Tennessee, and to increase the salary
OF the commissioner Of education Of
Porto Rico. A bin to give citizens Of
foreign countries the right to sue in the
court Of claims for indemnity for al
legged injuries, was Gisastrously beaten.
This was District day in the House
Before the regular order was demand
ci some routine business was transact
ed. The post office appropriation bin
was reported
Vne Senate amendments to the army
| reorganization bill was disagreed to
and the House agreed to Il conference
Hull. Iowa, Brownlow. Tenn. and Hay.
Va, were appointed conferces.
The House then proceeded with dis
trict business.
After the disposal Of the district
business, White. n. g., was recognized
to move the passage under suspen-
sion of the rules Of q bill to provide a
home for aged and inlirm colored pco-
pie. The bill provides that the money
for the construction and maintenance
of the home shall consist Of the fund
now in the treasury due the estates Of
deceased colored soldiers. The fund
amounts to $4,000. by the terms Of
h. Ii bn, &c Ie in,
the District of Columbia on ground now
in the possession of i colored associa-
| ton organized for that purpose.
After some debate the vote was
taken and the bill was passed. 1876 to 81
Ray. ~ ". chairman Of the committee
on judiciary moved the passage under
suspension Of the rules Of bill 10
permit subjects of foreign countries
claiming indemnity FOR injuries re
suit in the court Of claims. The bill b.
its terms applies only TO citizens of-cetn-
tries according like privileges to citizens
Of the United states and provides that
the United States can set ND 4 defence
against slch claims that the claimants
have resided in The United States contin-
uuuslV for one year. Ray explained that
the state department had been otcrrun
with claims az foreign citizens for indem-
nifty and the proposed legislation was
strongly recommended by that depart
Hit. HI. said the ill had been pre-
uared by former Secretary Of State Oh
ney and such legislation rad been recon-
mended by many previous secretaries Of
state. Almost all the powers Of the
world. Hit said. provided tribunal for
the trial of such cases our system. he
said. had resulted in the presentation ana
payment OF tXtrdVagant claims.
DeArmond. Mo. on behalf of major
ity of the committee on judiciary. OPP
posed the bill, which he said proposed to
give to foreign citizens privileges not ac-
corded 10 our own citizens.
Williams, Miss. believed that the cir
cuit courts should Ne opened not only to
citizens of foreign countries but citizens
Of the United States. The bill was de
featcl - to -.
Browuiow. Tenn. moved to suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill II cStab-
fish Il branch Soldiers Home at Johnson
city, Washington county, rem.
Cannon, H.. said If the Home was built
it would cost eventually $l.25o.nlo. The
ill was passed. as also was q bill to in
crease the salary Of the commissioner Of
education Of Porto Rico from S:;0un to
$.t~i per annum. At 5.Oj l.. NJ, the House
adjourned.