The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-26
AS WORK is GENERALLY DONE IN THE
NATIONAL SENATE
TWO APPROPRIATION BILLS
by 1t In One Day-One of Them
Disposed or I'm Forty Mfnutes-Sen-
ator Butter Tries Sarcasm on senator
Wolcott7House Passes n Number Of
Private Bills Mr.. Talbert In the
Chair RusheS Through Private Pen.
sion Bills.
SENATE,
sion Bills.

Washington, February 22.-Two Of
h great supply bills of the govern
ment- the postoffice and the diplo-
matte and consular appropriations
were passed by the senate today.
The diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill was passed in record time,
only forty minutes being consumed in
it's consideration.
After a spirited debate, the confer
ence report on the Indian appropria-
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 Washington's
birthday, vas read by Senator Bacon,
OF Georgia. The reading occupied fiji
ty minutes. 1t was accorded close at
tention. Senator Bacon's reading was
in a fine. voice and at it's con-
clusion he was congratulated by many
Of his colleagues.
Consideration of the p~ostoffice ap-
preparation bill was resumed, the pend
ing question being the Rawlins amend
ment to abolish the appropriations for
fast mail service between New York
and New Orleans and between Kan
sas City and Newton, Kas.
senator Vest challenged the allega-
ton that the proposed appropriat .ons
were subsidies. Subsidies were money
gwen out of the treasury for moth"
but in the matter unaer consideration
the appropriations facilitated the
the fra nCnlCCinn of tho malls
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, de-
clared that the proposed appropria-
ton was as absolutely indefenSible an
expenditure of public money as ever
a come under his experience.
Senator Clay, of Georgia, interrupted
to say that since the special approprf-
alton was made the mail facilities from
New York to New Orleans va Atlanta
had been materially increased; that
where one fast mail train was u be,
fore the appropriation was made, two
are u now, both On schedules fixed
by the postoffice department.
The amendment of Senator Rawlins
was rejected-19 to rs.
Senator Butler had the floor and was
about to make some statement when
Senator Wolcott, in charge of the bin
inquired of the chair what was before
the senate.
The interruption evidently angered
DelldlOT bulItE, WIN luTIeu lONdIQ
Senator Wolcott and folding his arms,
stared intently at the Colorado sena-
tor for many seconds without a word.
Then he said in a low voice: eff the
senator from Colorado will tone down
his feelings, I will proceed with what
1 was about to say"
Senator Butler then offered an
amendment directing the postmaster
general to make an investigation Of
the question of a postal telegraph
system and report his findings to con-
greSS, together with the probable cost
of establishing the system.
Senator Wolcott said he was willing
to accept the amendment
will the a help me hold IL in
J conference" inquired Senator Butler.
"Oh, now, the senator does not mean
quite that" retorted Senator Wolcott.
Senator Butler said he asked the
! question in good faith and he mean
no reflection pom Senator Wolcott.
| The amendment was agreed to and
the bill was passed.
The diplomatic and consular bill was
passed after forty minutes considera-
ton.
The senate then at 6:10 o'clock went
into executive session and soon after
ward adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The house devoted today to odds and
| ends of legislation. Nine bills were
| passed by unanimous consent and
| twenty-nine claims. bills n 139 pen
sion bills were passed. Among the lat
| ter was the senate bill to pension the
widow Of the late General Henry W.
Lawton. who was killed in the Philip
| pines. AS the bill passed the senate,
1t carried 500 a month, which the house
| cut down to $50 under the representa-
| ton that Mrs. Lawton enjoyed a COM
Portable income.
Members clamored vigorously for re-
| cognition of their bills. AT times fifty
members simultaneously besieged Mr.
| Sulloway. of New Hampshire. who, as
chairman of the committee on invalid
pensions. selected the bills to be called
UP.
Much merriment vas caused wher
Speaker Henderson, while the bills were
being passed. called Mr.. Talbert, demo
crat, of South Carolina, to the chair
The South Carolinian. who has been &
thorn in the side of the friends Of pen
sion bills for several years. put the bill:
through with great rapiGity. He seem
ed 70 relish the work. and the member
! of the house. who were at first amazed
; applauded him to the echo as. he bro
ceeded under q full hold of steam.
At S O'Clock the house adjourned.