Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-03-01
Congressional.

sations occurred. Early in the day,
during the consideration of an amend
ment to the deficiency appropriation
bill to prevent hazing at the naval
academy, Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, used
exceedingly strong language while in
Weighing against the practice of haz-
ing, charging by indirection that the
habits of tyranny and oppression
formed by the officers of the army and
navy at their academies was respon-
sible for the refusal of sailors to enlist
in the navy and for the large number
of assertions from the army. More
over, he alleged that the officers stood
by each other when in trouble, say
ing that the commanders of twenty
five vessels of the navy lost since the
civil war had, with one exception. es-
capped with slight punishment The
stir caused by Mr. Hepburn's speech.
however, was mild compared with the
row which was kicked up later over
some items in the bin for extra COM
pensation to employees of the house
Mr.. Dinsmore, OF Arkansas, exposed
the fact that one of the employees or
the house, while occupying one posi-
ton, was drawing salary for another,
and that the difference between the
salaries was to be made up in one OF
the items in the bill. This led to a
general ventilation of the domestic
affairs of the house, during which Mr..
Bailey, of Texas. declared that the
situation was a scandal upon the in
tegrity of the house. He charged that
there were employees of the house who
were dividing their salaries with 9TH
ers who performed no work, and chal-
lenged any one on the other side to
deny his allegations. lie offered to
produce sworn testimony in substan-
tiation of his charges If an inVesti-
eating committee were appointed. 1t
was explained by Mr., JOY, Of Missouri,
and others, that there was no law con-
corning employees of the house. Mr..
Cannon contented himself with saying
it was evident matters were very
much mixed" At the close of the
session, Mr. Bailey offered resolu-
ton for the appointment of an in
vestigating committee, which was re-
ferred to the committee on rules, upon
the assurance of Mr. Payne. the ma
jority leader, that it would be re-
ported at once.
For nearly two hours the Senate
had under discussion resolution by
Mr.. Jones, of Arkansas, to discharge
the judiciary committee from further
consideration of the antitrust bill
passed by the house at the last ses-
sion and to bring it before the Senate
for consideration. To some extent the
merits of the measure were discussed,
Mr.. Hoar, chairman of the judiciary
committee, Mr.. Plat. of Connecticut,
Mr.. Spooner, Mr.. Bacon. Mr.. Petit
grew, Mr.. Teller and Others taking
part in the debate. The majority
maintained that the house measure
clearly was unconstitutional. They
protested, too, against taking up so
great question in the closing hours
of the session. The resolution finally
went to the calendar.
February 22.-Two. of the great sup
ply bills of the government, the post
office and the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bills were passed by the
Senate. Washington's farewell ad-
dress. in accordance with custom of
the Senate on Washington's birthday,
was read. the reader being Senator
Baker of Georgia.
The House devoted the day to small
odds and ends of legislation.
February 23-In the Senate the day
was given to the Fertilization and the
army appropriation bills, the former
being passed. Considerable person
atty was INDUCED in during the de-
bates, Mr.. Butler, of North Carolina,
attacking the proposed purchase OF
Cushings island. Portland (Maine)
harbor, as Il Job" and Mr.. Pettigrew
OF North Dakota, criticisinS the ap-
pointment Of sons and nephews OF
senators and representatives as Off
GERS in the army. The day closed with
eulogies on the late Representatives
hoffecker, OF Delaware; Wi3e, of Nir-
GINA, and DAILY. Of New Jersey.
The 1house adopted a resolution t.
investigate the pay of its employees.
At o'clock public business was sus-
pended to permit the house to pay
tribute to the memories of the late
REPRESENTATIVES Clark, of New Hamp-
shire, and Shaw, of New York.
February 25-The house jettisoned
the authorization or two battleShips
and two cruisers which were in the
naval appropriation bill as it passed
that body. The Senate had rejected
the proposition. and against the APP
pesls of the house conferees, the house
to-day voted by a big majority to
agree to the Senate amendment strik-
ing out the authorizations. Chairman
Cannon, of the appropriations COM
mittee, contributed largely to this re-
suit by vigorous speech in favor OF
the Senate amendment. A partial con-
ference report on the naval bill was
agreed to and the bill went back to
conference The house also agreed to
the conference report on the bill to
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