Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-02-13
Congress-.
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The Senate spent Friday considering
the shipping bill. The House passed an
omnibus bill carrying 191 claims for
stores and supplies taken by the Union
army during the rebellion. The claims
were passed on by the court of claims
and aggregated 1914, 4S0. Practically
all the benefciaries reside in the South.
Considerable opposition to the bill was
displayed under the leadership of Mr..
Cannon, the chairman OF the appropria-
lions committee, but it flattened out later
and the hill finally was passed without
division. The bill to amend the Chinese
exclusion act, with 4 view TO preventing
the fraudulent entry IF Chinese into the
United States, was passed.
The Senate met at IL o'clock Saturday
aud with the exception of an hour and
half ut the beginning of the session de-
voted the entire day to the discussion of
the ship subsidy bill. Mr.. Turner and
Mr.. Mallory were the speakers in behalf
of the opposition. Mr. Turner's speech
was based largely upon exceptions which
he had taken to Mr.. Frye's criticisms Of
his former speech Mr.. Mallory opposed
the bin on constitutional grounds. Passed
bill authorizing the construction of pub
lie building at Hammond, Ind. TO cost
S125,000. The House spent the day un-
til O'Clock in the consideration of the
postoffice appropriation bill. The strug-
gle over, the question of restoring the APP
preparation for pneumatic tube service
and of the reduction of railway mail pay
were preeipitated by amendments offer
ed, but no action was taken. At 3
o'clock public business was suspended to
permit the members to pay tribute to
the late Senator Davis of Minnesota.
The ship subsidy bill was laid aside in
formally by the Senate on Monday to
permit consideration Of The appropriation
bills. The shipping bill holds it's place,
and as unfinished business can be
taken up when the appropriation bills are
not occupying attention. The greater
part of Monday was given to speech by
Mr.. Bacon Of Georgia ON the right of the
Senate to demand information ON file in
the executive departments He took the
position that the departments are the
creatures of Congress, and that depart
mental denial of any demand for papers
on file was preposterous, contending that
for hundred years there had been prae-
tically no refusal to recognize this right.
Secretary Longs letter regarding Santi-
ago naval rewards caused discussion in
which Senators upheld their course in
this matter. The House passed the SEN
ate bill TO create a commission to adjudi-
cate the claims of United States citi4 ems
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 commission. A
strong effort was made TO rote down the
amendment and pass the Senate bill, but
the advocates of this course were defeat
ed by a majority of 30. A bill was pass
ed without debate to extend the charters
of national banks for another period of
twenty years after 1902. when the pres
ent extension expires. Bills to ratify the
agreement with the Grow Indians of
Montana and to provide for the redemp-
ton of Hawaiian coin at par We're de-
feated. About an hour was spent on the
postoffice appropriation bill in the discus
sion of the amendment to reduce the rail-
way mail pay, but no action was taken.
The Senate on Tuesday passed Dist.tcc
of Columbia appropriation bill and partly
considered bill making appropriations
for support of West Point military acad-
envy. During day ship subsidy bill by
vote Of Senate was formally laid aside
and superseded as unfinished business.
The House continued discussion of con-
troverted questions in connection with
postoffice appropriation bill Mr.. Griggs
(Ga.) spoke against organizations of pos
tai employees formed with view to forcing
legisl alton in their interest. Mr.. Moody
Mass discussed question of railway
mail pay from standpoint of member of
joint postal commission. Mr.. Cromwell
Ohio and Mr.. Gaines CTenn) assaiIed
appropriations for special mail facilities
from New York to New Orleans, and Mr..
Catchings Miss and Mr. Meyer 04a.)
defended these appropriations as neces-
sary for expedition of Southern mail.
The Senate on Wednesday passed the
military academy appropriation bill and
the war revenue reduction measure. Com
sidered the shipping bill at night ses-
sion. In the House debate on the post
Office appropriation bill consumed the
day. 1t was agreed before adjournment
that the debate should close Thursday
at 1890 p. n, when the votes should be
taken upon the several pending amend
ments.
At the day session in the Senate on
Thursday the pension appropriation bill,
carrying Sl44,000.000. was passed after
a few minutes consideration. The shin
subsidy bill us then taken up, and
Messrs. McLanrin and Morgan, both
Democrats, made speeches Upon it. Mr..
McLaurin announced his intention to sup
port the bill. and Mr.. Morgan opposed
it in vigorous language. At the night
session the debate consisted largely of
protests by the opposition against night
sessions. The House PASSED the postofice
appropriation bill.