The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-27

Washington, February 25.-The SEN
ate today made rapid progress in the
disposition of matters pending before
it. The statehood riders to the agri-
cultural and postoffice appropriation
bills were withdrawn and both bills
passed. The house amendments to
the Philippine currency bill were
agreed to with but slight discussion.
thus sending the bill to the president
and the sundry civil bill also was con-
sidered and nearly completed. The
conference report on the Indian ap-
preparation bill was adopted.
In the course of the day, Civil Ser
vice Commissioner Foulke was severely
criticised on account of a letter writ
ten by him to Mr.. Spooner regarding
the dismissal of an employee of the
surveyor generals office, Idaho, who
had been charged with receiving cam
palgn contributions, the discussion
having arisen when a resolution by
Mr.. Dubois, calling for information; in
the case was laid before the senate.
Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia, questioned the
proprlety OF the matter being brought
to the notice of the senate in the way
Mr. Foulke had done. 1t was an act of
supreme effrontery and an indignity
to the senate for such a letter to be
written while the resolution was pend
ing. Mr.. Bacon thought it should be
Withdrawn ard not appear in the re-
cord. Mr.. Spooner said if he conclud-
ed there was anything in it discour-
teous to the senate, he would withdraw
it.
When the appropriation of S200,000
for Queen Lii was reached in the sun
dry civil bill, some discussion was
aroused. Mr.. Morgan thought the
matter should go over. Mr.. Hoar said
the queen was a woman Of great per-
SOnal worth and he hoped the appro
priation would be made. Mr. Black
burn said the committee on Pacific is
lands, was unanimous in the recon-
mendation. 1t is not contended, he
said, that there is a large claim in
volved against the United States. She
has no day in court The fee to the
crown lands was not for her but the
sovereign, but she was absolute in the
receipt of the rents. Since her over
throw, he said. the government has
collected S450,000 in rents from these
lands. He thought it would be good
investment to pay the claim. The
matter went over.
A bill to incorporate the American
National Institute in Paris. excited
nit the acceptance of a tract Of land
from France and the reception of a
number of art gifts from that country.
The senate adjourned until tomor-
row.
HOrsc of Representatives.
The house today adopted the con-
ference report on the army appropria-
ton bill and sent that bill to the pres
ident. The bill to establish a union sta
ton in this city also was finally pass
ed, the house abandoning it's amend
mentS to reduce the amount to be given
TO the Pennsylvania and Baltimore
and Ohio railroads from s1,5OO,000 each.
as fixed in the senate bill to 81 100000
each as fixed by the house. Mr.. Cam
non and Mr.. Cowherd. of Missouri,
made the fight against the motion to
recedc, which was made by Mr.. Nor
reu, OF Pennsylvania and was support
Ell by Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Ollnsted. of Pennsylvania and
others.
The Fowler currency bill was de-
bated IN a desultOry way. Mr.. Clayton,
of Alabama, created much amusement
by delivering a mock funeral Grafton
on the bill. The other speakers were
MessTs. Pugsley, Of New York: Shall
lenbereor. of Nebraska. and Thompson
of Alabama.
The speaker appointed the following
members to represent the house at the
dedication of the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition: Messrs. Tawney. repub-
lican. Minnesota: Sherman. republican,
New York: Mahon, republican, Penn
sylvania: Bartholdt, republican, Mis-
souri,: Van VOORHEES,, republican, Ohio:
Parker. republican, New Jersey: Over
street, republican, Indiana; Mann. re-
publican. Illinois: Smith, republican,
Iowa; Miller, republican, Kansas: Bur-
kett republican. Nebraska: Robertson,
democrat. Louisiana: Bartlett, demo-
crat, Georgia, Shafroth, democrat,
Colorado and Hay, democrat. Vir-
ginia.
At Sis o. m. the house adjourned.
Death of John o. Bigelow.