The National tribune., 1902-06-26
CONGRESS
NEAR ADJOURNMENT.
Cuban Reciprocity Probably Abandoned
for the SssSi0n-The lsthmian Canal
BilI-The Philippine Government Bill
and Appropriation Bills Being Ground
Out-Fension Legislation.

| Last week the House passed bill,
brought forward by Mr.. Miers, of Indiana,
| TO improve the pensionable status of re-
married soldiers widows, practically re-
moving all bar to restoration OF soldiers
widows to pension roll. who have renal
ried after the death of the first husband
and again become widows. y similar pro
| vision was made for reasonable mothers
of soldiers.
On motion of Mr.. Sullawas. Chairman
of the House Committee on Invalid Pen
sions, the Senate bill to increase the pen
| sion of those who have lost limb or
| limbs. or have been totally disabled in the
| military or naval service of the United
States was passed. The bill was amend
| ed to reduce the increase allowed by the
Senate bill, making the rate $40 for the
| loss of Il hand or foot: SIG for the loss OF
an arm or leg below the elbow or knee;
SO for the loss of leg at hip joint or
arm mt shoulder The rate for total dis
ability was left mt $50. Pensioners under
the act of 1890 who require the frequent
and periodical aid of another person are
increased from So to $50.
The great event in Congress during the
past week WAS the elimination of the de-
bate OH the Isthmian Canal Bill, and the
Spooner amendment was adopted by a
vote of ~ to 81. defeating the Nicaragua
proposition. The Spooner Bill provides
| that the President shall purchase the Pan
anna Canal Company's rights for 100000
| 600, provided there shall be no legal diff
cuties in the way OF the transaction, and
| shall proceed with the construction of the
| canal Mt that point but that if such legal
difficulties are found to exist. and good
| title cannot be secured to the Panama
route, then the President shall proceed
to construct the canal by the Nicaragua
route. Requisite appropriations are made
for the purchase and beginning the work.
The bill ROW goes to the House for con-
currence, which. it will be remembered.
passed the Hepburn Nicaragua Bill. and
probably a conference will be necessary.
The House has had under consideration
for the past week the bill providing for
/ Civil Government in the Philippines, pass
ed by the Senate some days ago.
The struggle over the Cuban Reciproc-
| ity matter continues, and w to the time
| of going to press there is still no outcome
of IL controversy in sight; the beet sugar
advocates remaining firm in opposition to
the reciprocity measure.
| PRIVATE PENSION BILLS.
On Saturday. June IA, the Senate took
ND the consideration of unobjected pen
| sion cases. The following bills were
passed:
William f. Eowden. co. X. 4th Va, war
| with Spain: So. blouse BILL
Frederick ". Wiley, alias William F.
| Wiley, L. $. n; increase. SO.
ThOnias II. Dewitt, helpless and dependent
| son of Thomas Dewitt, Go. ID, 18th y. y;
SO. HHOuse BILL
Julia b. Shurtiefr. .dow of Edward $.
| SEurt!eff, Acting Master, L. S. "; increase,
$50. blouse BID
Ella 3. $. MaEnix. widow of Daniel Pratt
Mannix. Captain. L. $. Marine Corps; in
| crease. $50. blouse BILL
Fl0ran V. Sims, widow OF Alexander Sims,
! Go. q, 81 Wis; increase. So; and 81 addi
fional ON account of the minor child Of the
| soldier. blouse BILL
| Moses s. Curtis Co. L, 18th y. H; in
| crease. Sli. House Bill
Charles f. Miller, Co. F, i:h y. H.; in
| crease, 81. tHouse Bill
Emma l.. FerFier, widow Of William a.
| Ferrier. gunner. L. $. n; SIC
! Robert g. Scroggs, Assistant Surgeon.
! 18th H.; increase, s2l. House BILL
Thomas Fincgan. Second class fireman, L.
s. $. HouSatonic, L. S. N; increase, $50.
| House Bill
Mary c. Bickers;aff. widow of WIN. J.
Rickcrstaff, Go. L. 18th Tenn. Cav; increase,
| IS. fH0usc BiIj
Fannie Rear,lon, widow of Patrick Rear
don, alias Patrick Dunn Go. Il, I'd y. Y.
Provisional Vol. Cav; SIS. House BILL
William f. Angevinc, Captain, Co. X, 9Sth
| y. Y; increase, so.