Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-28
TWO SUPPLY BILLS.
The Post Office and Diplomatic Bills
Passed by the Senate.
PRIVATE PENSION BILLS IN HOUSE.
Mrs. LawtOn's Pension Cut from 500 70
$50 . Month The Day Devoted
10 Unanimous Consent
Legislation.

Washington, Feb. 23.-T'vo OF the
great supply bills of the government,
the post Office and the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bills, were
passed by the senate yesterday. Dur
ing the greater part Of the session a
proposition to discontinue the appro-
priations for fast mail facilities from
New York to New Oyleans via At
lanta and from Kansas City, Mo-, to
Newton, Kan, was under discussion.
While the debate was protracted, it
was not particularly lively. BY de-
cisive vote the senate continued the
appropriations. An effort was made
to obtain an appropriation to con-
tinue the pneumatic tube service in
New York, Boston and Philadelphia,
but it failed. An amendment was
agreed to authorizing the postmaster
general TO investigate the question of
establishing postal telegraph system
and to report his findings to the next
congress.
The diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill was passed in record
time, only 40 minutes being consumed
in its consideration.
After u spirited debate the confer
ence report on the Indian approprla-
ton bill was rejected and sent back
to conference.
Early in the day Washington's fare
well address, in accordance with a
custom OF the senate on Washing
tons birthday, was read, the reader
being Senator Bacon, Of Georgia.
A resolution OF the Legislature Of
Kansas In favor Of legislation to pre-
vent unjust discrimination in inter-
state commerce was presented by
Senator Harris, Of Kansas, and re-
ferred.
Senator Depcw, Of New York, pre-
scented resolution Of the legislature
Of New York in support of the oleo-
margarine bill.
Senator Scott. from the committee
on public buildings and grounds, re-
ported an amendment to the sundry
civil appropriation bill, appropriating
100000 for the construction OF o
building for the department OF JUS
tice.
Senator Cullom, from the commit
tee on interstate commerce, made a
favorable report upon the house bill
requiring railway managers to make
reports Of accidents to the interstate
commerce commission.
The house devoted yesterday to odds
and ends OF legislation. With the
approach of the end of the session
members with small bills Of various
kinds have been besieging Speaker
Henderson for recognition. For the
last ten days the pressure has grown
steadily greater. Yesterday under an
arrangement entered into Thursday q
large number Of these smaller bills in
which members are individually inter-
ested were passed. An hour was de.
voted to unanimous consent legisla-
ton and 2H hours each to the passage
of private claims bills and private pen
sion bills. Nine bills were passed by
unanimous consent and 20 claims bills
and 1870 pension bills were passed.
Among the latter was the senate bill
to pension the widow Of the late Gen.
Henry W. Lawton, who was killed in
the Philippines, AS the bill passed
the senate it carried 500 month.
The house cut the amount down to
$50 upon the representation that Mrs
Lawton enjoyed comfortable home,