Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-12-11
CONGRESS.

washington, Dec. 9.--Senate.-- The
senate today. closed the extraordinary
session ut noon and Immediately en-.
tered on the duties ofsthe regular ses-
sion. The unusual features were the
close of the called session by an.
nouncement from the chair and the OF.
ferlng Of two prayers In the senate
within a half-hour Of each other. The
business transacted consisted Of the
reading of the presidents message
and the beginning Of the discussion of
the Cuban reciprocity bill. Mr.. Gull
Ion, who has charge OF the Cuban bill,
made speech, advocating its passage
In the interest of American trade.
The reading of the presidents mes.
sage was concluded at 1925 p. m. The
senate took up the resolution calling
on the postmaster general TO send to
the senate committee on postoffices
and post roads the papers bearing on
the recent Investigation into irregular
tiles in the postoffie department. 1t
was laid over until tomorrow. The
Panama canal treaty was sent to the
senate, but as there was no executive
session after Its receipt, 1t was not re-
ferred to the committee on foreign re-
lations.
Washington, Dec. S.-Senate. The
recent investigation into frauds in the
postofflce department was the basis OF
a sharp debate in the senate today by
Mr.. German and Mr.. Lodge. The dis.
cussiOn arose over motion by Mr..
Lodge to refer to the committee on
postofices the resolution introduced
by Mr.. Penrose looking to q 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 that counter charges had
been made against the men who had
made it. Let us have all the facts, i"
said Mr.. German, '.and see If the pres
ident will turn the rascals out. Mr..
Lodge, who made motion to refer the
resolution, stated that what Mr.. Cor
man said only further convinced him
that the resolution should be referred.
The resolution went over. Mr.. Teller
made q speech in opposition to the
Cuban measure He severely criti.
cised General Wood and declared the
bill was in the interest of the trust.
Mr.. Clapp spoke briefly, holding that
the senate has absolute power in max.
ing treaties. Senator Nelson intro
iuced bill almost Identical with the
Aldrich fiscal bill, introduced in the
Fifty-seyenth congress,in so far as it
provides for the increasing Of circulat-
ing notes of national banking 4associa.
lions. The senate in executive session
today referred the treaty between the
United States and Panama for the
construction Of canal across the 18TH
mus to the committee on foreign rela-
tons.
House.-The house today authorized
the committee on postoffices and post
roads to request the postmaster gen.
eral to supply the committee with pa
pers in connection with the recent in
vestigation Of the Spostoffice depart.
ment. 1t was explained by Mr.. Over
street, chairman of the committee,
that the purpose of the resolution was
to supply the committee with informa-
ton in time to give proper attention.
The house also instructed the judiciary
committee to make inquiry and report
whether the isle of Pines can be ceded
W SuUd W1SAOul LuC VIII dSIAOA
of the house and senate. Representa-
tive Hepburn re-introduced the pure
food bill, embodying the resolutions
Of the national pure food congress.
Washington, Dec. 9.--When the SEN
ate first convened, the Cuban bill was
taken up Immediately following the
conclusion of routine business Mr..
Teller continued his speech begun yes
terday He again took up the ques-
ton of the activity Of General Wood,
while acting as governor Of Cuba, in
behalf of Cuban reciprocity with the
United States. He declared that the
press of both the United States and
Cuba had been utilized in supporting
the policy OF reciprocity, and quoted
figures showing the amounts paid for
newspapers ADVOCATING this policy.
Morgan followed, devoting the greater
share Of his attention to the Panama
canal question. He charged that the
United States had broken faith in fail
ing, as he said, to obey the Spooner
law, and warned Cuba that the same
course might be followed by us to-
wards that country in case the pend
ing bill should become law. Mr..
Morgan referred frequently to the Pan
anna canal treaty, and in that connec-
ton freely criticised what he denomi-
mated presidential usurpation."
Washington, Dec. 10.-Senate.-
When the senate met today a number
Of bills we're introduced and reports
presented. Mr.. Hoar gave notice that
as soon as practicable after the dispo-
sition Of the Cuban bill, he would call
up his resolution introduced yester.
day requesting information from the
president concerning the code under
which the independence Of Panama
was recognized. The Cuban bill was
then laid before the senate. but as no
one appeared ready to speak on 1t Mr..
Hale moved an adjournment and the
motion prevailed. Senator Gallinger
today introduced bill providing that
after March 4, 1904. salaries of sena.
tors, representatives and delegates in
congress shall he 1900 per annum.
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