Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-03-20
FEDERAL LAW MAKERS.

Washington, March 10.-For nearly
two hours Mr.. Vest (dem., Mo- ad-
dressed the senate in opposition to
the ship subsidy bill. No member of
fiatteringly close attention than he
received. Despite his evident feeble
ness, he spoke with force and fire and
at times he became brilliantly elo- |
quent. He carefully analysed the
measure and particularly attacked
the present navigation laws, which |
he declared were relics of barbarism
and responsible for the decline Of our
merchant marine. Mr. Tillman (dem.,
S. c. denounced the policy of giving
subsidies to anybody, particularly to
individuals and corporations en-
gagged in the formation of shipping
trusts.
The bill to classify the rural free
delivery service was passed by the
house. All provisions relating to the
placing of carriers under the contract
| system were stricken out and the
salary system not only was continued
but the maximum salary of carriers
was increased from $500 to $500 per
annum. A motion offered by Mr. Will
Jams (dem, Ill) to recommit the bill
with instructions to report an amend
ment providing for the dismissal from
service of carriers who should use
| their influence in favor of any par
| ticular party or for any particular
candidate was voted down-96 to 141.
AS passed, the bill Classics the rural
free delivery service and fixes the
compensation of employees as follows:
Special agents in charge of divisions,
not exceeding $4,000 per annum;
| special agents, four classes, $1,000 to
$1,000; route inspectors, four classes,
/ $1,000 to $1,000; clerks, four
classes, 5000 to $1,000. The compen-
sation of carriers is not to exceed $500.
/ Mr.. Burton (rep., o., chairman of
the river and harbor committee, re-
! ported the river and harbor bill and
gave notice that he would call it up
after the disposal of the postoffice ap-
preparation bill. The senate amend
ments to the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill were nonconcurred
in and the bill was sent to conference.
/ Washington, March 11.-President
Roosevelt sent his first veto message
i to congress. The bill veoted was one
removing the charge of desertion
from the naval record of John Glass.
/ For several hours the senate had
the ship subsidy bill under considera-
ton. Mr. Mallory (dem., Fla.) ana
I lyzed it carefully and held there
was not good reason for its enact
ment into a law, saying he believed
it would not accomplish the results
hoped for by it's promoters. His op-
, position was based chiefly on the
| ground that it would extend the
favor of the United States treasury
{ to private individuals and corpora
) tons without just returns for the
expenditure. A lively debate oc-
, cured over an effort on the part OF
, Mr.. Berry (dem., Ark to ascertain
: when the committee on privileges
: and elections might be expected to
) report the resolution providing for
the election of senators by direct
, vote of the people. Mr. Hoar (rep.,
/ Mass.) indicated his vigorous op-
position to such q resolution on the
ground that it would subvert the
fundamental principles upon which
the senate was founded
The feature of the proceedings in
the house was the speech by Mr.Rur-
Lesson (dem., Tex attacking Secre-
tary Hay for declining to request the
British authorities to furnish pass
ports TO go through the British lines
to Rev. Hiram w Thomas and his
wife VINO desire to go TO south Africa
to distribute bOer relief funds collect
ed in Illinois. Mr.. Hit (rep., ILL., -,
chairman of the foreign affairs COM
mittee, made a spirited reply, charg-
ing the Texas member with attempt
lrg to prejudice the case before the
evidence was in. Mr.. Hit pointed
out that relief funds could be dis
tributed through the Red Cross so
clety or American consuls and added
that it was contrary to international
law and usage to allow those in sym
| polHy Will dill euSHIy 10 go through
the lines in time of war. The house
enterd on consideration of the post
Office appropriation bill, but the
members who spoke devoted them
selves to everything except the bill
before the house. Mr.. Thayer (dem.
Mass.) attempted to take ADVANTAGE
of the division among the republi-
cans on the subject of reciprocity by
bringing forward a resolution to in
vestigate the reports that the sugar
trust would be the chief beneficiary
or Cuban reciprocity. He tried to
oyerturn the decision of the speaker
IN order to secure action on his
resolution but the republicans came
up sOlldly against such a course and
he was checkmated Mr. Brantley
| tdem.. Ga) made a speech in favor
Of Cuban reciprocity, and Mr.. Meyer
tdem., Ia) against it. The com
mittee on judiciary directed reports
on two important bills, namely for
the suppression of train robberies
! and TO define "conspiracies" SO as tn
| limit the issuance of iniunctions in
labor controversies. The train rob
berry bill was amended SO that any
| person who obstructs. derails or COM
mltts assault upon any railroad train
or us passengers with intent to com