The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-09

Washington, December THE Senate
today reached a decision to take a vote
on the Philippine Civil Government bill
providing for the construction OF rail-
roads in the Islands, on the 10th instant
and in addition transacted considerable
other business. Mr.. Platt, of New York,
created something of a stir by introduc-
ing a bill providing for a reduction of
the congressional representation of the
Southern States on the ground that
many of the citizens of those States are
deprived of their right to vote, and
Mr.. Scott plunged the Senate into an
exceptionally early debate by attempt
ing to secure the passage OF the bill
granting pensions to the telegraph op-
orators Of the civil war. The debate
was not concluded. A large number
Of bills and joint resolutions were intro
duced and many petitions presented.
The discussion of the time for voting
upon the Philippine bill brought out the
ing that the Christmas holiday recess
will begin on the 18th instant.
The introduction of the Plat bill
created considerable excitement on the
Democratic side of the chamber and at
the request of several Senators portions
of the measure were re-read. Mr.. Bal
ley was the only Senator who made
nf
a tone of sarcasm he asked If there
was "anthing in the bill affecting the
representation in the Senate from states
wherein it is charged the governor ana
not the legislature selects Senator's"
Mr.. Platt replied that the bill con-
tanned no such provision.
With this the incident closed for the
time.
After an executive session the SEN
ate entered upon consideration of the
calendar.
The first measure on the calendar is
the Daniel resolution calling on the
president for all the correspondence
with the Colombian government rela-
tive tn the Panama revolution. The
reading of the title of the resolution
evidently reviewed memories Of the last
session, for a smile was noticeable upon
the faces of several Senators. Mr.
Lodge suggested that the resolution
might be indefinitely postponed with
profit but in the absence of Nj. Daniel,
it was allowed to go over
Mr.. Scott, in explanation of the bill
to pension telegraph operators. said that
while the operators were not enlisted
they were the confidential agents OF
the government and had performed
most important services. He added
that there were only about 200 of the
operators.
Mr.. Gallinger announced his inten.
ton to vote against the bill, saying that
if ii should pass it would open the way
to the pensioning of all other classes of
civilians who served in the war am
entail large expenditures.
Mr.. Cockrell called attention to the
fact that while soldiers were paid only
s13 per month the telegraph operators
had received from $50 to 500 per month.
and on this account he opposed the BILL
Mr.. McCumber spoke in support OF
the bill. saying that there would be
only 1s7 beneficiaries.
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
House OF Representatives.
Washington, December Upon the
convening Of the house today Mr.. Bing-
ham of Pennsylvania, from the COM
mittee on appropriations reported the
Legislative, executive and judicial bill
and gave notice that he would cali the
bill up for consideration tomorrow i'm
mediately after the reading OF the
journal.
The house on motion OF Mr.. Payne OF
New York, went into committee Of the
whole for the purpose Of referring GER
tain portions OF the Presidents message
to the respective committees having ju-
risdiction Of the several subjects.
AS soon as this was done the house
adjourned until Tomorrow
II the president really means that