The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1901-01-24
House.

Washington. Jan. I9--The house
spent the entire day on the bill to re-
fer to the court of claims the claims
of the William Cramp & Sons Ship
building company, of Philadelphia,
for alleged damages due to the delay
of the government in furnishing ar
NOR plate and material for the bat
tleships Massachusetts, and Indiana
and the cruisers New York and Co
lumbia. The claims aggregate ST.
367 ,244. The bill has been 'eonspicu
Gus at every session of congress for
several years. II met with the siren,
uous and determined opposition of a
portion OF the minority under the
leadership Of Mr.. McDermott IN. j.
and Mr.. Robb (Mo). A filibuster
was finally begun, but its advocates
at length succeeded in having the
previous question ordered upon the
bill. The house then adjourned. The
ordering of the previous question
gives the bill tactical advantage in
a parliamentary way which practical
ly ENSURES vote upon it whenever it
is called up again.
Check for Canal Bill.
Washington, Jan. 19.-The repub-
hcan senator's decided Friday not TO
set a day, at least for the present,
for taking up the Nicaragua canal
bill. The decision was reached after
an hour and a half spent in caucus
and was unanimous The caucus was
called largely because of Senator Nor
gan's opportunities in behalf of the
bill and an earnest effort was made
to effect a satisfactory solution of the
problem. There was a general eX-
change of views and many speeches
were made, but after all had been
said the senators concluded that so
long as Great Britain's attitude to-
ward the amendments to the Hay
Pauncefote treaty is underlined it
would not be wise or eXpedient to
agitate the question of the construc-
ton of the proposed canal. Senator
Allison, chairman OF the caucus, was
authorized to make this statement to
Senator Morgan and other friends of
the canal bill and to the public gem
orally. In giving it out he laid stress
upon the fact that this conclusion
was 'Ifor the present" He also stated
that the question OF what attention
should be given to the ship subsidy
bill and to the appropriation bills
was not discussed. "That matter is
in the hands of the senate" he said.
Declare for Independent Action.
Notwithstanding the formal decision
to leave the canal question in allegiance
| for the time. several senator's gave no
tiee that, in case there should be mo-
ten ten 10 take up the canal BIT, they
would not be bound by the resolution
! adopted but would vote for a motion
TO consider. In this expression of in
| dependence Senator Platt, of New
| York was the leader. He said he con
sidered the proposed canal of prime i'm
| portance and would not refrain from
voting to take it up whenever motion
to that effect is made. Senators
Simon. Foster and Bard followed with
similar declarations. They did not,
however. express determination Ia
themselves initiate a movement in be
half of the canal bill, and it was sug
gested that Senator Morgan could be
prevailed or to allow the present statu;
to remain.
Other Bills Discussed.
No decision was reached upon Other
questions, because no formal actor
was considered necessary. There was
however, considerable discussion OF
other questions. Among these were thu
ship subsidy bill, the war revenue re
duction bill, the confirmation Of Mr.
Harlan as attorney general Of Port'
Rico, the ratification of the tire aty Will
Spain for the acquisition of some o
the Philippine islands nor included il
the original Paris treaty and the appro
priation bills.
Two Years Long Enough.
Washington, Jan. 2Is-Reports fror
the Philippines indicate a great deal o
sickness prevailing among both naya
and army officers on duty in tn
archipelago. hong terms Of duty i
these islands are likely to impair tn
most robust constitutions. accordin
TO the views Of army and naval med
icaI officers. and limitation of dut
tours in the Philippines 10 perio
| - So. ..aara IL afronUlv advocafed