The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-24
MADE SPEGl;l ORDER I'M THE HOUSE
FOR JANUARY 7TH.
NO OBJECTION BY THE MINORITY
it's Passage Raised on the Republic
can Side-Mr. De Almond Airs Be
fore the House his Controversy
with the Postonice Department rs
Committee the House Philippine
Tariff Bill.
SENATE.

Washington. December 19.-In the
senate today the bill temporarily to pro-
vide revenue for the Philippine islands,
which was passed by the house of repre-
%sentatives yesterday was referred to
the committee on the Philippines.
After a brief executive session the
senate adjourned to January 6. 1902.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Before the house adjourned today over
the holiday recess a special order was
made for the consideration of the Mica
ragua canal bill, beginning on Tuesday
January It'll. and to continue until tho
bill is disposed of. the order not. how
ever, to interfere with revenue or APP
preparation bills.
The session of the house was brief,
the major portion of the time being &C.
cupied by Mr.. De Almond. of Missouri
in making a personal explanation re-
garding reports circulated in his dis
trict concerning his course in the mat
ter of the extension of the rural free
delivery
Mr.. De Almond sent to the clerks
desk and had read a letter sent by him
to the first assistant postmaster gener-
al. aSkin that officer what his tatuS
was to he in regard to appointments in
the rural free delivery service in his dis
trict.
Mr.. Payne. of New York. made the
roint of order that the letter did not
constitute a question: Of personal priv
ilege.
Speaker Henderson held that a con-
troversy with a department about pa
tronage did nOt constitute a matter OF
privilege. If it were, he said. members
might constantly arise On such preteA
to air their grievances.
Upon Mr.. De Almonds representation
that he would develop a question of
privilege. however. the speaker allowed
MIN To proceed. A second letter from
Mr.. De Almond to the postmaster gen.
eral was sent to the desk, but as soon
as it was read, both Mr.. Payne and
Mr.. G~rosvenor renewed the point of
order that no question OF personal priv
ilege had been presented.
The speaker ruled that no question
Of personal privilege had been present
ed. whereupon Mr.. De Almond asked
and obtained unanimous consent to
make a personal statement. He pro-
ceeded to explain that reports were cir
culated in his district that he had
caused action on free delivery routes to
be held up during his absence in the
Philippines; that those reports were
circulated by those who lied and knew
they lied. He read letters addressed hH
him to the first assistant postmaster
general last April, lone of which, he
said, had ELECTED a reply.
: Mr.. De Almond declared that the de-
partment had not treated him frankly
fairly or in manly way. 1t had NO
answered the pertinent question re-
garding the division of carriers be.
: tween the parties. He charged thai
the course Of the department was in the
interest of certain republican bosses il
Missouri, one of whom hoped to get into
the United States senate.
Mr.. Hepburn asked unanimous con
, sent that the Nicaragua canal bill b.
+ made a special order for Tuesday. Jan,
uary eth.
! Mr.. Cannon asked whether the pas
: sage of the bill would embarrass tn
executive in securing the right of wa,
through Nicaragua or Costa Rica.
y Mr.. Hepburn said he knew of no ne
gotiation that would be interfered will
by this legislation. On the contrary
. he said legislation must precede acqui
sition, the bill itself providing means
6 for the requirement of the right of way
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader
n said this was in no sense a politica
r question and there was nc objection t.
{ the proposition on his side of the house
y Mr.. Cannon said he was in favor o
the building of the canal, but h
e thought there should be a place to pu
the canal before it was authorized. A
g his was a eques for consideration
however, he said, ne would not objec
to this.
h After some further discussion the or
c der for the consideration of the bin wa
made.
4 At las the house adjourned unit
e January 6, 1902.