Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-29

cradle discussion during the day. Early
in the session a number of minor bills
were passed. The sundry civil appro-
priation bill was reported and Cannon
gave notice that he would call it up,
Monday.
resolution was introduced which
called upon the secretary of war for
certain information relative to condi-
ton of the Mississippi river improve
ment below st. Joseph, Mo.
Littlefield, Me, asked unanimous
consent for the consideration of a bill
to confer jurisdiction upon the court of
claims to adjudicate the claims for du-
ties collected on goods going into the
island of Porto Rico between April IL,
1899, to May 2, 1900. The bill provides
that the claims found due should bear
interest at 6 per cent. Payne, N. Y.
explained that the refund of those du-
ties was made necessary by the de-
cisiOn of the supreme court. The
claims for interest, he thought, We're
just, because General Davis, the mill
tary governor of Porto Rico, subse-
quently went to the Philippines and
service could not be obtained upon him.
The bill was passed.
The Presidents veto of the bill to
remove the charge of desertion against
Emanuel Klauzer was laid before the
House and referred to the committee
on military affairs. The House then
pension bills.
The first bill on the calendar was to
correct the military record of Calvin
4 q
text of speech against this class of
bills. He referred to the veto of the
President, just read, and his other We
toes of like bills. Il am glad" said he,
Ito see that the Chief Executive came
to my assistance to keep the roll of
honor from being besmirched by de-
serters. While l disagree with the
President in almost everything else,
heartily endorse his position in this
matter. I have protested against the
passage of these desertion bills for 10
years"
He moved to lay aside the bill with
an unfavorable report
Mondel, Wyo., declared that the bill
did not seek to remove the charge of
desertion. Rice, he said. was an Of
ficer who had been unjustly dismissed
for being absent without leave.
Mann, ILL.,. declared that Congress
should consider the attitude of the
President toward a certain class of
bills. He denied that the President
had declared that he would sign no
bills correcting the military records of
soldiers. The President, he said, had
objected to the form of some of these
bills, which, instead of permitting the
secretary of war to change the military
records, required him to make the
change.
Robinson, Ind, interrupted to say
that Congress should act as an in
dependent branch of the government
1t should not abdicate it's powers. If
the President did not approve an act
of Congress the responsibility would
not rest with him.
Mann thought it waste of time for
Congress to pass bills, knowing they
would not be signed. He thought the
business should be placed in such form
that they would command the Presi-
dents approval. He did not know what
the President would do, he said, but
il he was consistent he would veto
every bill which was directory in form.
Hay, Va. contended that if special
Hills were only to be permissive, not
directory, then Congress might as well
pass a general law giving the secre-
tary Of war permission to change mill
tary records of any soldier. The bill
was laid aside with favorable reso-
luton, Ga to 2.
In all, 2l5 bills were favorably acted
upon and subsequently passed. Mr.. Can
non from the committee on appropria-
tons, reported the sundry civil appropria-
lions bill and gave notice that he would
call it up next Monday. At $50 p. NJ.
the blouse adjourned.