The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-09
Investigate the Ceding OF the Isle
:. of Pines to Cuba
WARM DEBATE IN THE SENATE
POsTOFFICE INVESTIGATION DE.
iNOUNCED By MIR. GORMAN,
Wha Said Ii Has Been Conducted I'm
a, Partisan Manner-Department
Defended by Lodge.
,eciir to the Indianapolis Journal.

specih TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-This was Indi-
ana sday in the House. Representative
Over.treet reported from the committee on
posto1fices his resolution calling on the
postmaster general to submit to the House
all Isapers bearing on the postal scandal
Representative Wanger, chairman of the
comIsittee on expenditures in the Postofice
DEPARTMENT. brought up the question of
jurisdiction of the respective committees
and delayed but did not defeat the passage
OF tte Overstreet resolution. Representa-
tive Robinson was one of the orators of the
day. He expressed doubt that the report
mazda by Representative Overstreet was
unars rsmously agreed to by the postoffice
comfiittee. but when Mr.. Overstreet called
upon, Mr.. Moon. of Tennessee the ranking
minority member. as a witness. the Fort
Wayfe statesman retired as gracefully as
possible to the background.
Wien the House had passed the Over
streel resolution Representative Crumpack-
er asked to be recognized on a resolution
direding the committee on judiciary to
makf an investigation to determine whether
the 3sle of Pines is properly within the
meal;ing of the Constitution. The Senate is
now considering a treaty ceding to Cuba
Crurs packer believes the House should go
on record in the case of the Isle of Pines in
ordeS that ii may not be embarrassed by a
question of this Character in the future.
The stwo Indiana members occupied the
fioors during the whole OF the legislative
day and were engaged in a cross-fire de-
bateswith many members OF the House dur
ing 4 better part of the time.
paehsr was privieseS srf reeited r the
pending treaty ceding the Isle of Pines to
Cubs< and questioning the constitutional
authority for such action without the con-
current action of both houses of Congress.
The resolution authorized the committee on
the Judiciary 10 make an investigation or
the Question and report to the House. Mr..
Crup:packer said IT was proper that the
judiciary committee ascertain If the Isle
OF F.nes Is territory or other property or
the United States within the meaning OF
treatar-making power has the right to dis
pose :of Ii without the action Of Congress.
He Believed personally that the treaty
maki.lg power has the right to provide for
its fession TO Cuba. In his opinion the
islans should go TO Cuba, but he said the
HOUSE acquiesced intelligently in the nego-
tiations of the treaty-making power in dis
posilss of the Island in order ,th that no wrong ing
rights of the House jeopardized
Mrs Grosvenor suggested that the Senate
was making an inquiry into the same mat
ter aud said there had been no indication
as yet that the Senate sought to intrench
upon: the rights of the House. He asked:
Suppose the House reports one way and
the Senate the other?
II siuppose we would have to surrender,
eaid Mr.. Crumpacker.
Mr. Williams made a point of order,
which the speaker overruled. and the reso-
luton was adopted. At 2:O5 p. m. the House
adjourned until tomorrow.
Mr.. Tyrell of Massachusetts. introduced
a bill Ito prevent the sale of intoxicating
liquors I'm buildings and upon premises
owned controlled by the United States
government
Mr.. Cooper. OF Wisconsin. introduced a
bill further to define the duties and powers
of the Interstate-commerce Commission -
The bill provides that the commission shall
have authority to enforce it's rulings which
shall be subject to review by any circuit
court of the United States.