The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-12-25
CONGRESS HIS ADJOURNED.
Canal Bill to Be Naken Up First
Thing After Christmas.


Washington, Dec. 19.-Before the
house adjourned today for the holiday
recess especial order was made for the
consideration of the Nicaragua canal
bill, beginning on Tuesday January Z,
and to continue until the bill is dis
posed of, the order not, however. to
interfere with revenue or appropria-
tion bills.
The session of the house was brief,
and the major portion of the time was
occupied by Mr.. DeArmond, of Mis-
souri, in making an explanation regard
ing reports circulated in his district
concerning his course in the matter of
the extension of the rural free deliv-
cry.
Mr.. De Almond sent to the clerks
desk and had read letter sent by him
to the first assistant postmaster gene
raj asking that official what his status
was to be in regard to appointments in
the rural delivery service in his dis
trict. Mr.. Payne of New York made
the point of order that the latter did
not constitute question of personal
privilege
Speaker Henderson held that con
troversy with a department about
patronage did not constitute matter
of privilege. If it we're, he said, mem
bers might constantly arise on such
pretext to air their grievances.
Upon Mr.. De Almonds representa-
ton that he would develop question
of privilege, however, the speaker al
lowed him to proceed. A second letter
from Mr.. De Almond to the postmas-
ter general was sent to the desk, but
as soon as it was read both Mr.. Payne
and Mr. Grosvenor renewed the point
of order that no question of personal
privilege had been presented.
The speaker ruled that no question of
personal privilege had been presented
whereupon Mr.. De Almond asked and
obtained unanimous consent to make
a personal statement. He proceeded
to explain that reports were circulated
in his district that he had caused ac-
tion on free delivery routes to be held
up during his absence in the Philip
pines; that these reports were circu-
lated by those who lied and knew they
lied. He read letters addressed by
him to the first assistant postmaster
general last April, none of which, he
said, had elected a reply.
Mr. De Almond said the department
had not treated him Cranky, fairly
or in manly way It has not an
swered the pertinent question regarding
the division of carriers between the
parties. He charged that the course
of the department was in the interest
of certain Republican bosses in Mis-
souri,, one of whom hoped to get into
the United States senate
THE CANAL BILL.
g Mr.. Hepburn asked unanimous
consent that the Nicaragua canal bill
be made special order for Tuesday,
January Z.
Mr.. Cannon asked whether the pas
sage of the bill would embarrass the
executive in securing the right of way
through Nicaragua or Costa Rica.
Mr.. Hepburn said he knew of no
negotiation that would be interfered
with by this legislation. On the con-
trary he said legislation must precede
acquisition. the bill itself providing
means for the requirement of the right
of way.
THE DEMOCRATS ASSENT.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority lead
er, said this was in no sense politl-
cal question and there was no objec-
tion to the proposition on his side of
the house.
Mr.. Cannon said he was in favor of
the building of the canal, but be
thought there should be place to put
the canal before it was authorized.
AS this was request for considera-
tion, however, he said he would not
object and after some further discus
sion the order for the consideration OF
the bill was made.
Atl.45 the house adjourned until
January 6, 1902.