Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-03-10
ARMY BILL DEBATED.
Senate Spent Almost the Whole Day
on Committee Amendments.
CLAIM BILLS CONSIDERED IN HOUSE.
Thisty-Two Of Them Were Passed--Ths
senate Committee Continues Its Inves-
tigntion into the Practices Of the
Mormon Church.

washington, March 9.-The senate
spent almost the entire day discussing
the committee amendments to the army
bill concerning provisional troops in
the Philippines and the consolidation
of the adjutant generals office with
the record and pension Office. The
Porto Rican amendment was objected
to by democratic senators as tending
to more pronounced military form Of
government Both amendments ulti-
mately were accepted. The bill was
amended SO as to provide for an In
crease in the engineer corps. 1t was
still pending when the senate adj
1ourned.
Yesterday In the house was set
apart for consideration Of claim bills.
Thirty-two bills Of this character were
passed. One relating to the granting
of an American register to the ship
Beaumont gave rise to considerable de-
bate. MIR. Stevens, Of Minnesota. made
the point that to admit such ships to
American registry would be detri-
mental to the interests Of American
workmen. He was seconded by Mr..
Humphrey, of Washington The bill
was passed. Shortly after the house
convened Speaker Cannon, In ruling on
the conference report on the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial appropria-
ton bill, stood by a former precedent,
holding that conferees could not in
sert new matter.
On motion of Mr.. Curtis, of Kansas,
house joint resolution was passed
authorizing the secretary Of the in
terror to use $1,000 of certain moneys
appropriated by the act Of February |
IS, 1904, for clerical work and labor |
connected with the sale and leasing OF
Creek lands and the leasing Of Chero-
kee lands in the Indian territory.
The smoot Investigation.
Washington, March 9.-The senate
committee on privileges and elections
yesterday, in the investigation of the
protest against Senator Reed Smoot,
of Utah, brought out variety of testi-
mony, of which the most sensational
was that given by Francis M. Lyman,
president Of the IL apostles of the
Mormon church, and the man chosen to
be the successor of President Smith.
His admissions were similar to those
made by Mr.. Smith pertain
Ing to the church government. He is
more free of speech than the president
Of the church and his testimony
though not materially differing, caused
several OF the apostles present to shake
heir heads at the witness for the pur-
pose Of compelling more discretion in
answering questions. Mr.. Lyman is
lngularly built his face 10 covered
With growth O. bushy red whiskers
md his speech O. blunt Four wit
lesses were on ehe stand yesterday.
they were Mrs Kennedy. her mother,
drs. Matthews, On. RI Merrill, the son
4 Apostle Merrail, ard Mr.. Lyman.
Plan to- Abolish DsweS Gommission.
Washington, ,Forch o.--The recon-
nendation Of Cha 'es J. Bonaparte. in
is report on the conditions in the In
ian territory, that the Dawes COM
Mission be abolished has increased the
ostility Of members of congress
owards the commission and has
them In the opinion that
ew administrative methods should bf
ut into effect in the territory without
clay. 1t was learned yesterday that
n amendment has been prepared ana
i'll be offered when the Indian appro- |
Ration bill comes up In the senate
triking out the provision Of the bill
lserted by the house providing funds
, be paid as salaries to the members !
the commission. and substituting .
,ction providing for the appointment |
one commissioner to take charge Of /
- a1lak~n.nk