The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-01-17
WORK OF CONGRESS.


During consideration by the senate on
the 8th of private pension bills Senator
Gallinger, chairman of the committee on
pensions, announced that none but abb
Solutely meritorious cases would be pre-
sented to the senate for its considera-
ton and that the closest scrutiny would
be given by tthe committee to every bill
introduced. Senator Rawlins OJtahJ In
PRODUCED resolution directing the COM
mittee on Indian affairs to investigate
the question of the leasing of mineral
lands owned by Indians. The debate on
the Nicaragua canal bill in the house de-
veloped sentiment in favor Of giving
consideration to the recent offer of the
Panama company to sell its franchises
and property for 0,OOO, 600. 1t was agreed
that general debate on the bill should
close the next day at two o'clock, after
which the bill would be open to amend
ment under the fye-minute rule. Mr..
Hopkins Gid secured unanimous con-
sent that the bill to establish a perma-
nent census bureau be made continu-
ing order until disposed of, after the
Nicaraguan bill Is acted upon. Mr.. Kle-
berSe (Tex.) introduced bill for a board
of engineers to adopt a plan for irriga-
ton in the Rio Grande valley.
The open session of the senate on the
9Th was devoted to routine business.
After executive session the senate
adjourned until the 18th. The Hepburn
Nicaraguan canal bill passed the house
by practically unanimous vote. Only
two members out of 80 voted against it.
Messrs. Fletcher. republican (N1inn.) and
Lancaster, democrat Va.), were the two
voting in the negative. All amendments
failed and the bill passed exactly as it
came from the committee. section
fixes the aggregate cost at $3.50, 900 900, to
be drawn from the treasury on warrants
of the president.
The senate was not in session the
10th. The house spent the day con-
sidering the Hopkins bill to create a per-
manent census bureau. There was strong
opposition to the bill as drawn, on the
ground that it was not we'll matured,
and 1t was finally recommitted. Mr..
Sherman On. " introduced a bill con-
tinuing in force all laws prohibiting the
coming of Chinese. Mr. Lowering MASS }
introduced a bill providing a salary for
eX-presidents of the United States at
the rate of $4,000 annually from the
date of retirement from the presidency.
A bill passed unanimously to give Mrs.
Mckinley the free mailing privilege dur
ing the remainder of her life. The pen
sion appropriation bill was reported by
the committee. 1t carries S139,S42, go, eX-
actly the amount of the estimates as
against $145.2 $3.50 appropriated last year.
An adjournment was then taken until
the 18th.
In the senate on the 18th Senator Mel
son (N1inn) called up the bill providing
for the establishment of a department
of commerce. After some discussion the
bill fiaally went over, subject to call by
Senator Nelson. The senate was in eX-
ecutive session for hour and half.
The Hepburn Nicaragua canal bill was
received by the senate from the house
and referred to the committee on in
terstate canals. The house spent the
day in general discussion of the pension
appropriation bill, the first of the annual
budgets. The debate took a wide range
Mr.. Grosvenor (OD and Mr.. Hepburn
Ua.) denounced a report presented to
the last G. A. r. encampment criticising
the course of themselves and other mem
bers of congress on the veteran prefer
ence" bill, which was defeated at the last
session. They explained that their OPP
position to the bill was due to the in
corporation in the bill of a clause whc,
had not been Endorsed by the G. A. r.
placing veterans of the Spanish war if
the preferential claims. Mr.. Rixey VA
caused something of stir on the demo
cratic side by advancing a proposition
to open the doors of national soldiers
homes to ex-confederates and to furnish
federal aid to state confederate homes
Mr.. Gillett (Mass.) introduced a bill fol-
the creation of a approximation com
mission who are to devise a system by
which government employees will be 81
insured as to have annuity in theil
old age Mr.. Crumpacker Qnd.) intro
duced a bill for the punishment of per
sons taking part in the lynching of al
alien. Mr.. Lever IS. c. then formally
announced the death of the late Repre-
sentative Stokes, of his state and tn,
house, after adopting the CUSTOMARY
resolutions of regret. a mark of re
spect adjourned