Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-03-28
WORK OF CONGRESS.

During the entire session of the senate
on the 18th the bill providing for the
protection of the president of the United
States was under consideration. Sena-
tor Spooner (Wis.) spoke in favor of the
bill and Senator Bailey (Tex.) against it.
Senator Proctor CVt) introduced a bill
continuing in force the present law for
the exclusion of the Chinese until the
expiration of the existing treaty with
China or until new treaty shall be
negotiated. A joint resolution was intro
duced by Senator Vest (Afo) rendering
to Rear Admiral Kempf the thanks of
congress for refusing to join the allied
forces in the bombardment of the forts
of Taku, China. The house made fair
progress with the river and harbor bill.
After the close of general debate q of
the 116 pages of the bill were disposed
of. No amendments were adopted.
Throughout the session of the senate on
the Goth the bill providing for the pro-
lection of the presidents of the United
States was under discussion. The speak
ers were Senators Pettus (Ala.), Haw-
ley Comm and Nelson (AIinn.) in sup
port of the bill and Senators Rawlins
Utah), McCumber IN. d., Mallory
(FIa.), Carmack CTenn.), Money CNiss)
and McLaurin (Nfiss.) in opposition to it.
The principal point made by the oppo-
nentS of the measure was that federal
officials ought to be treated in the courts
precisely are other citizens. Senator
Aldrich (R- u, chairman of the COM
mittee on finance, reported the bill to re-
peal war revenue taxes. The house
made very slow progress on the river and
harbor bill, disposing of only 80 pages
and leaving so pages still to be consid-
cred. The river and harbor committee
again succeeded in defeating every
amendment offered. Mr.. Bellamy On.
CO during the day took occasion to de-
nounce the Crumpacker proposition to
investigate southern election laws de-
signed to stir up sectional strife. Mr..
BurleSOn CTex.) introduced a resolution
requesting the president to transmit to
the house copies Of all correspondence
bearing upon the recent request of Gen.
Miles to be assigned to duty in the Phil
ippines and to be allowed to put into
effect there plan outlined by him cal
culated to bring about an immediate ceS-
satiOn of hostilitieS in the islands without
further loss of life on, either side.
The senate on the 21st passed the bill
for the repeal of the war revenue taxes
without division and after only one short
speech. Senator Tillman Is. CO en-
braced the opportunity afforded by the
bills consideration to protest against the
repeal of the duty of ten cents pound
upon tea. The bill for the protection
of the president was under discussion
during the greater part of the session.
Senator Patterson (Col.) made an extend
ed speech in opposition to it and Senator
Fairbanks Qnd.) supported it. All
amendments to the measure were re-
jected and it was passed by a vote of 81
to Is. A bill appropriating s125OOO for a
marine hospital at Buffalo, n. Y, was
also passed. The senate adjourned I'M
til the 24th. The house passed the river
and harbor bill. Although several
| amendments were adopted, not a single
dollar was added to the measure and as
passed, it carried exactly what it did
when it came from the committee, $780,
6S8, 267, including authorizations. Mr..
Gines (Tex.) introduced a resolution di-
| recting the secretary of war to trans
nit to the congress the minutes of the
several conferences in the Philippines
between representatives of Gen. E. S.
Otis and commissioners representing the
people of the islands relative to the set
tlement of the pending difficulties.
The senate was not in session on the
22d.. The house entered upon the con-
sideration of the contested election case
of Moss VS.. Rhea, from the Third Ken
lucky district Before taking up this
case the unanimous report of the COM
mittee on the case of Speers VS.. Bur-
nett, from the Seventh Alabama district,
confirming the title of the sitting mem
Der to his seat was adopted. Several
bills Of minor Importance were passed at
the opening of the session.