The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-18

s1ysitnISBulaEA6HSSlOn 8n0
lsstened TO the & rem ting ~ the prest-3
dent annual SAT ssage to- congress-
Ihe peciaf sci on robbed the day Of
many interesting features incident to
Anew congress. The house having or
ganized four weeks ago. the ceremony
Of opening yesterda lay comprised mere.
tly e roll call to develO the presence.
of: 9 quorum and the customary notifi-
cations to the lent and to the
senate. 4, ISL ~ n .ss Is
w More than an hour and half were
consumed in the reading of the pres
ident t' 1 message, at the conclusion of
which there was general applause on
the Republ ican side OF the chamber.
a consid cradle amount OF routine mat
tiers necessary to facilitate the work
OF committees was transacted prior to
the reception Of the message. The
house adjourned at 3: 80 out Of respect
to. Henry Gurk (Pa.) member who
died Saturday. " s r..
The senate yesterday closed the .ex-
traordinary session and entered on the
duties of the regular session, but the
transition was so natural as to be
scarcely noticeable, The unusual
features were the close OF the called
session by announcement from the
chair and the Offering of two prayers
in the senate within an half hour OF
each other. The business transacted
consisted of the reading of the presi-
dents message and the beginning Of
the discussion of the Cuban reciproc-
ity bill. Mr.. Cullom, who has charge
of the Cuban bill, made a speech, ad
yocating its passage in the interest of
American trade.
Washington. Dec 9.-The recent in
vestigation into frauds in the postof
fee department was the base of a
sharp debate in the senate yesterday
by Mr.. German and Mr.. Lodge. The
discussion arose over a motion by Mr..
Lodge to refer to the committee on
postofices the resolution introduced
by Mr.. Penrose looking to senate In
vestigation into the conditions in the
department. Mr.. German intimated
that the investigation by the depart
ment had been partisan in character.
and said counter charges had been
made against the men who had made
it. Mr.. Lodge defended the depart
ment's work and declared it was far
more effective than congressional in
quiry would be- The resolution went
over without action.
Senator Clapp spoke briefly and said
the senate had absolute power in max
ing treaties.
The house authorized the commit
tee on postoffices and post roads to
request the postmaster general to sup
ply the committee with papers in con-
nection with the recent investigation
of the postoffice department.
The house also instructed the judi
ciary committee to make inquiry and
report whether the Isle Of Pines can
be ceded to Cuba without the concur
rent action or the house and senate.
Washington, Dec. 1O.--Senator Tell
er concluded his speech in opposition
to tho Cuban reciprocity bill yester-
day and Senator Morgan also was
heard in opposition to that measure.
The Alabama senator devoted the
greater share of his attention to the
Panama canal question. He charged
that the United States had broken
faith in failing to obey the Spooner
law, and warned Cuba that the same
course might be followed by us toward
that country in case the pending bill
should become a law
In the house Mr. Payne, the Repub-
lican floor leader, called up the reso-
luton providing for the reference of
tht various recommendation in the
presidents message to the proper
committees. 1t was adopted.
Mr.. De Almond (Dem., NOD in
CURED whether it would be in order
for the speaker to ask the unanimous
consent of the members to appoint an
additional Democratic member on
each of the large committees of the
house. II 5i
Mr.. Payne objected to Mr.. De AT
mond's motion and the house ad-
journed. "
Washington, Dec IL The house
yesterday adopted resolution direct
ing the judiciary committee to inquire
into the official conduct of Charles
I3swayne. Judge Of the United States
district court for the Northern district
of Florida and to report whether the
action of the house is requisite
Mr.. Lamar Of Florida Dem offered
the resolution, announcing that he de-
sired to impeach Judge Swayne. A
lively debate was had before the res
|soolution was adopted. II
The first Of the appropriation bills.
the. pension bill, was reported to the
house yesterday and notice was givep
that it will be called up today for con-
sideration. III. d
Yesterdays session OF the senate
lasted only thirty seven minutes. AZ
ter the compile tion Of the routine busi
mess the Cuban bill was laid before
the senate, but no one appeared ready
to speak on Mr.. Hale then, at