Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-08
58th CONGRESS.
Something Of a Stir
Created in the Senate
BY PIatt's Bill to Reduce the
Southern Representation.
On the Ground That MANY Citizen.
Lost Their Votes.

Washington. Dec. THE Senate. to-
day. reached n decision to vote on the
Philippine civil government Dill, pro-
VidinS for the construction of rail-
ROADS III the islands. on the 10th inst,
ana liz addition transacted consiiera BILE
other business.
Mr.. Fiat. New York created some-
thing Of stir by Introducing the bin
providing for a reduction of the con-
sresSional representation of the
Southern states on the ground that
many of the citizens of those states
We're deprived of their right to vote.
ahh MI. Scott plunged the Senate in
10 an exceptionally early debate by
attempting TO secure the passage of
the Dill granting PENSIONS to the tele-
graph operators of the Civil war. A
large number of bills and joint reso-
lutionS We're introduced and many pc
titions We're presented. The discussion
of the time for voting on the Philip
pine bill. brought out the fact that
there is a general understanding tina,
the Christmas holiday recess will be-
gin Oh the 18th inst.
When the Senate convened today,
the regular call for business was made
Tor the first time in the session and
large number of Petitions bills and
Joint resolutions We're introduced Dill
lngham presented the credentials OF
his colleague, Proctor. for the term
beginning March next.
Among the bills introduced was one
present by Plat, New York. reducing
the apportionmenl of congressional
representation. At the request of Car
mack the bill was read in detail.
The introduction OF the bill created
considerable interest on the Democratic
side of the chamber. and at the re-
quest of several senators. portions of
the measure were re-read. Bailey was
the only senator who made any COM
heit upon the measure. With a tone
of sarcasm he asked if there was ANY
thing in the bill affecting the repre-
sentation III the Senate from states
wherein it is charged the governor and
not the legislature elects senator's
Plat replied that the bill contain.
no such provision.
With this the incident closed for the
time and the routine business was
proceeded with.
Lodge called up the Philippine gov
eminent bill Tor the purpose of asking
10 nave the measure reprinted and said
;hit as IL Is on the calendar as the un-
finished business Of the Senate he
Woul, press its consideration each day
after o'clock until disposed of. He
then asked the Democratic senators if
II i'll,
would he willing to have Il vote taken
on the measure.
Culberson replied that there would
probably be no difficulty in reaching
such an understanding. but asked for
time to consider the subject.
Pending this consideration the SEN
ate at p. NJ. Went into executive SEES
sion.
At lis p. NJ. the doors were re-
op1ne,i and the leg islative session was
resumed. the consideration of the cal
enGar being entered upon. The first
measure on the calendar is the Daniel
resolution, calling upon the President
for all the correspondence with the Co
lcmban government relative to the
Panama revolution. Lodge suggested
that the resolution might be indefinite
ly postponed with profit, but in the ab-
selce OF Daniel was allowed to go over
Scott asked the Senate to enter upon
the consideration of the bill placing on
the pension roll the names of telegraph
OPERATOR. who served as such during
the Civil war and in explanation said
that while the operators were not en-
listed they were the confidential agents
of the government and had performed
,nost important services. He added
that there were only about 200 of the
operators.
Galljnger announced his intention to
vote against the bill. saying that if it
should pass it would open the way to
the prnsioning of all other classes of
civilians who served in the war and en-
tail larg. expenditures.
Cockreil called attention to the fact
that while soldiers were paid only $l3
per month, the telegraph operators had
received from $50 to 800 per month and
on this account he opposed the BILL He
also said that if telegraph operators
We're 70 be- rensioned it would be neces-
sarv TO pension teamsters and other
civilian employees.
Macomber, in supporting the Dill,
said that there would be only 1877 be-
neficiaries under the bill. but before he
concluded the Philippine bill was again
called up by Lodge and an agreement
req hcd to vote upon the measure and
all amendments 1T O'Clock. FRIDAY,
tho 18th instant. the bill to retain its
place OH the calendar as diminished
business. until that time.
Before the agreement was arrived al
Cu.berson stated that he had conferred
with the Democrats members OF the
committee and had ascertained that
they had no objection to voting the ad-
journment for the holidays. The dis
cussion developed the fact that 1t is the
axnectation of senators that the holi- |
day adjournment will take place on the
18th instant.
The Senate, then, at 2.15 p. NJ, ad-
journed.