Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1902-01-25
WORK OF CONGRESS.

The senate on the 18th for brief time
had under consideration the bill creating
O department Of commerce and the dis
cussion tended to show that the measure
will have to be amended In many par
ticulars before II can receive the APP
proval Of the senate. It was pointed out
that II the bill as reported became law
II would create the greatest department
Of the government and that the secre-
tary OF commerce would have more power
even than the secretary of the treasury.
Notice Of several important amendments
was given. Senator Harris (Kan.) intro
duced a bill for the government owner
ship Of telegraph lines. Senator Plat
(Conn.) introduced an amendment to tho
copyright law granting copyright for Il
months to books written In q foreign
language and printed abroad, such au-
thors to use this time In making arrange
ments to perfect their rights under ex-
listing law. A large number Of uncontested
bills and private pension measures were
passed, after which the senate adjourned
until the 10th. THE house was not in
session.
The senate was not in session on the
18TH. The house was in session less than
an hour. Only routine business was
transacted, the most important feature
non, chairman of the committee on ap-
propriations, Of an urgent deficiency BILL
It carries upwards Of $16,000.000. A bill
was passed for the protection Of towns
In the Indian territory and providing that
they may issue bonds to an amount not
exceeding FIVE mills on each dollar Of
taxable property Of the municipality for
| the construction Of sewers, waterworks
and schoolhouses. Mr.. Kahn (Cal) intro
duced the Chinese exclusion bill agreed
upon by all Pacific coast interests as rep
resenting their views. 1t was referred to
the foreign affairs committee.
Chairman Lodge on behalf Of the Phil
ippines committee, reported the Philip
pine tariff bill in the senate on the 10th
and gave notice that he would call 1t up
the next day. During the greater part or
the session the measure providing for
the establishment of a department OF
commerce was under consideration. An
effort was made by Senator Nelson
(Minn.) to secure a vote. but the oppose
| ton to many of its provisions became SO
strong that the effort had to be ADAM
doned. Senator Vest (Mo) introduced az
q substitute for the ship subsidy bill his
bill Of the last congress repeating ths
law prohibiting the purchase of foreign
built ships. The time in the house was
occupied in general debate on the urgent
deficiency appropriation bill. An item IN
the bill carrying $4,000 for q military
post at Manila precipitated long de-
| bate. A semi-humorous speech was also
made by Mr.. Clark (Mo.) on the item OF
$4,000 for the entertainment Of Prince
Henry and he wanted to know who was
going to pay the expenses OF the "ex-
traordinary aggregation OF talent con-
sisting Of Whitelaw Reid. Capt. Clark:
| Morgan
young wetmore." who were to be dis
patched to London to see 'hls sacred
majesty King Edward VII" crowned.
and said II It was right and proper for
us to pay for the entertainment Of Prince
Henry why should not England pay tho
expenses of Reid. Clark and the others.
For nearly three hours on the nst the
senate had under consideration the Phil
ippine tariff bill. The measure was MADE
the unfinished business and probably Will
hold that position Of preference until IL
shall have been voted on finally. Sena-
tor Morgan (Ala-) introduced q Dill piac-
ing Gen. James Longstreet on the retired
list Of the army with the rank OF major.
the rank he held when he entered the
service of the confederacy at the begin
ming of the civil war. A number Of pri-
waite pension bills were passed....In the
absence of other pressing business the
house managers allowed the widest latl-
tude in the debate on the urgent defi-
cheney bill. The irrigation Of arid lands
in the west and the advisability OF re-
tanning control Of the Philippines also
were topics under discussion. Mr.. Will
liam A. Smith (Aiich.) introduced q reso-
luton directing the state department 70
request the British government to With
hold the sentence OF death passed on
Commander scheepers. who is about to
be shot. Mr.. Wiley (Ala) introduced 9
bill designed to prevent the holding up
of trains for purposes Of robbery. 1t pro
vides a penalty Of death or life I'M
prisonment for the guilty parties. Mr..
Stephens (Tex.) introduced bill Tor tne
union Of Oklahoma and the indian terIi-
torv nc n state. to be known as the state
Of Oklahoma
Vote for iowa Senators.