The National tribune., 1902-06-05
A TIRED CONGRESS.
Close Of the Philippine Debate-Work Of
the House-Private Pension Bills.

Congress is getting visibly tired. The
interest of members of the House of Rep
resentativeS is now conferred in their
homo districts principally, rather than
legislation in Washington. The question
! of denomination and reelection is now the
principal consideration. During the past
10 days they have been busy closing up
appropriation bills by considering confer
cree reports, while the Senate has at last
succeeded in bringing the debate upon the
Philippine Civil Government Bill TO an
end. There never was any question about
| the passage of the bill, which was very
simple affair, when all was said and done.
1t merely provided the machinery for
Civil Government, and the long debate
upon the operation of the army was mere
ly for political effect, having nothing to
do practically with the question in hand.
| On the contrary, the bill distinctly pro-
vided for superseding the army admins
tration by that of civilians; yet, the de-
bate proceeded as though it were military
administration that was in question. The
debate was due to the exigency of the APP
preaching campaign, and had little refer
ence to the real issue in hand. The only
two measures of importance passed by
the House within the last 10 days have
been the new Immigration Bill. which pro-
vides additional restriction as compared
with the existing law, and the Subsidiary
Coinage Bill. The Immigration Bill
raises the head fax from 30 cents to 81;
and more carefully excludes the defective,
delinquent and dependent classes. Under
its provision criminals, paupers. the weak
minded, and those afflicted with incurabIe
disease are to be shut out.
The Subsidiary Coinage Bill provides
that the silver bullion accumulated by the
Government under the provisions of the
Sherman Act, long since repealed, and sill
yer dollars, as occasion demands it, shall
be coined into J0-cent pieces. 25-cent
pieces. and dimes. The only fight was
over the silver dollar as considera bic
contingent of the House expressed the
fear that under cover of the bill Il gradual
elimination of the silver dollar coinage
might result There was 10 objection to
the coinage of the bullion. The whole
matter is left to the discretion Of the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury under the clause.
which provides that the coinage of this
subsidiary money shall be ordered as the
business of the country demands the in
crease of the minor coins.
The House on Monday of this week, by
Il decisive vote. defeated the bill TO retire
SurSeon-General Sternburg. of the Army.
with the rank and pay of a Major-Gen-
eral. 1t would have added about $1,000
TO his retired pay.
PRIVATE PENSION BILLS.
On the Odd the House of Representa-
tires passed the following list of Private
Pensions Bills. which have not been
printed before on account of lack of space:
George +. Gregg, Co. G., Sd Mimi; in
crease. so.
Mary WEIGH, widow of Richard WEIGH. Co.
Il. 9Th Conn: IS.
James h. Martin, Co. c, 10th KY; in
crease S2i.
John Murphy, Co. C, 1st y. H. Cav: in
Abner II. Lester. Co. I. 39th Ky: So
Julia h. Shurtleff. widow of Edward S.
Shurtleff. Acting Master, L. S. "; increase,
John l.. Moore, Co. A. ID Pa. Cav; In
crease $50.
William Mcdaniel. OF Capt AIred's Co.,
Green County. No. Home Guards: SI2
Charles Olson, Co. X, 18th Wis; increase.
Fannie Reardon. widow of Patrick Rear
d%n a.ins t rdI DUNN Co. Il, I'd N Y.
Alexander Murdoch, Co. B. 1st W. Va.
Cav: increase. Si1
John s. Ipshaw Captain, Independent
Guards: So.
John T. sIun, Co. II. 18th Ind; increase,
Robert Hargreaves. Musician, LIST Pa. l..
A.: increase. s2I.
Margaret Ann West. Nurse; SO.
Renjamin Zane, Go. b, 9sth Ohio; increase,
Amelia Engel. widow of Valentine Engel,
Go. g; 10Th Pa; So. SENATE Billy
William Harrington, Co. l. 9th Pa. Res:
increase. $50 Senate BILL
Charles III. Hazard Go. G.. 18th Pa. and
Paymnster's clerk, L. S. y; increase. $50.
Senate BILL
Emma l.. Ki.nble widow of Thomas V.
kimbie. co. F., Sd Ind. war with Mexico,
and Major. 9th Ind; increase, $50. (Sen-
ate BILL
Helen NJ Worthen. widow Of Harry n.
Worthen. Lieutenant Colonel, 4th VT; in
crease, $40. Senate BILL
John W. SHOOt, Co. A. Washington Light
Inf, 4th Battalion, District OF Columbia;
So SENATE Bill)
Oliver *. Wyman. First Battery VT. L. A;
increase. $50. SENATE Billy
james WEIGH. 60. G, 18th y. H.; increase,
so (Senate BILL
Nancy J. Macarthur, widow Of James Ne
Arthur, Captain, Co. A, 18th Ind; increase,
Sl2
Augustus Blount, dependent father of
Alfred Blount, Co. G, 18th U. s. Co.ored
Troops; ST..
Cathartne Freeman, dependent mother Of