Holbrook argus. (Holbrook, Ariz.) 1900-1913, 1901-02-23
THE WEEK IN washington
Summary of Legislation in National
Body
MEASURES IN BOTH HOUSES
The Electoral Votes. Officially Counted =
No More Pension Bills will be Intro
duced this Session-The California
Delegation Opposes the Tacoma Mint
Appropriation.
Wednesday, February 13

The ceremony of counting the cleo
toral vote for president and vice
president was performed at joint SEES
sion of the house and senate, and the
result duly announced.
In the senate, the credentials of
Francis E. Warren, reelected from
Wyoming, were presented. The chair
man of the committee on pensions an
nounced that it would be impossible
to introduce any more pension bills
this session. In executive session, the
nominations for the office of brigadier
general were considered, Mr.. Petit
grew Selling the occasion to criticize
General Bates for his negotiation of
the Sulu treaty, but eventually the
nominations of Gems. Jas. II. Wilson
and FitZhugh Lee and Col. John c.
Bates were confirmed.
Senator Bard is afraid that it will be
impossible, during this session, to re-
lieve by any congressional action the
land controversies that have arisen in
Southern California by the discovery
of OIL
The house devoted the day to the
sundry civil appropriation bill. General
debate was completed but little actual
progress made. Mr. Bell of Colorado
anu NIL OOChTell VI MISSOurl dIIdck6u
the recklessness of the appropriations
by this congress.
The hearing on the oil scrippers' case
will not be commenced till March 10.
Thursday. February IA
The California delegation is urged to
oppose the bill giving 100000 for a
mint at Tacoma, on the ground that it
menaces the interests of San Francis
co. The president advanced Rear Ad-
miral Sampson five numbers, making
him rank next after Rear Admiral
Howell; Rear Admiral Schley two
numbers, ranking him next to Admir-
al Sampson. The conferees on the In
dian appropriation bill considered the
senate amendments. The president
sent message to congress urging that
Rear Admiral Sampson AMI his men
should be given the same compensa-
| ton for work in Cuban waters that
was given Admiral Dewey and his me
for services in Manila bay
| The senate agreed to Mr.. Stewards
resolution calling for all acc 7unts CT
the Alaska second judicial district.
Consideration of the agricultural ap-
preparation bill was then resumed. An
amendment to the sundry civil bill
providing for a soldiers home in lea
no started a lively discussion on the
subject of soldiers homes generally.
| The house had a lively debate over
the events connected with the sale of
| the old New Yory custom house to
| the National City Bank of New York
City. Senator Gage was sharply crit
| iciZed, but the tables were neatly
turned on the Democrates. The bill
appropriating $4,000 for a lighthouse
at Point Dune in Los Angeles county
passed the house. 1t now goes to the
president. House committee on irri-
cation and arid lands reported the new
lands bill with amendments. Repre-
sentative Reeder, Judge Ray of New
York and Judge Barham were appoint
ed a committee to rewrite the bill for
reclaiming the arid lands.
! Friday. February 10
An extra session of Congress to fol-
low closely upon the regular session
seems assured. There is no little or
no hope of securing oil land legis-
lation during the present session. Sec
rotary Gage will place the Russian SUI
gar duty question before the board
of general appraisers.
The Republican steering committee
of the Senate tried to agree on pro-
gram. 1t was decided not to with
draw the subsidy bill, but it will not
be allowed to interfere with the appro-
priation bills. The oleomargar1ne bill
will be given another chance. The
Senate passed the agricultural appro-
priation bill and took up the shipping
subsidy bill. Senator Perkins spoke
urging the adoption of several amend
ments which he proposed. Senator
Perkins offered amendments to the
sundry civil bill relative to the pro-
posed Pacific cable.
1t was the last private bill day of
the regular session in the House, but
Mr. Cameron tried to call up the SUM-
dry civil appropriation bill The mi
nority objected and much filibustering
ensued. The House election commit
tee confirmed by a unanimous vote
the right of Delegate Wilcox OF Hawaii
| to his seat in the House.
Saturday, February IS
Secreatry Gage sent letter to the
house, urging legislation amending the
Chinese exclusion acts and making
them stronger. March Is is now
guessed as the day of converting the
| extra session of congress. The Cali
fornia delegation hope it will be COM
pleted in time for President to take his
western trip. Minister WI held a
half hour conference with Acting Sec
rotary of. State Hill on Chinese mat
tiers.
In the house, Mr.. Richardson, the
minority leader, tried to block con-
sideration of the sundry civil bill I'M
til quorum was produced. A quorum
was finally secured.
In the senate the subsidy bill was
called up, but was displaced by the
shipping subsidy bill Senator Proc
tor chairman of the agricultural COM
mittee, made statement bearing on the
latter measure. The president told
several senators that an extra session
would be called as soon as the Cuban
constitution was. received.