The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-08
PLATT MAKES HIS
CUT At THE SOUTH
His Bill Creates Some
Excitement.
THE THING EXPLAINED
1t Would if Enacted, Lessen the Rep
resentation in Congress from the
Southern States by Nineteen,
North Carolina Losing
Two.
Two.
(By the Associated Press.) }


Washington, Dec. THE Senate to-
day reached a decision to take a vote
on the PHILIPPINE Civil Government
bill providing for the construction OF
railroads in the islands. on the 10th
instant, and in addition transacted
considerable other business. Mr.
Platt IN. Y.) created something of a
stir by Introducing a bill providing
for reduction of the Congressional
representation of the Southern States
on the ground that many of the citi-
zens of those States are deprived of
their right to vote, and MIR. Scott
plunged the Senate into an exception
ally early debate by attempting to Sc
cure the passage of the bill granting
pensions to the telegraph operators of
the Civil War. he debate was not
concluded. A large number of bills
and joint resolutions were introduced
and many petitions presented The
discussion of the time for voting upon
the Philippine bill brought out the
fact that there is a general under
standing that, he Christmas holiday
recess will begin on the 18th instant.
The Introduction of the Platt bill
created considerable excitement on
the Democratic side of the chamber
and at the request of sevral Sna-
tors portions of the measure were re-
read Mr.. Bailey was the only SEN
ator who made any coInent upon the
measure. With a tone Of sarcasm he
asked if there was anything in the
bill effecting the representation in the
Senate from States wherein it is
charged the governor and not the leg
islature selects Senators.
Mir. Platt replied tnat the i'll con-
t1iya
With this the ir@ident closed for the
time.
Consideration Of the Calendar.
After an executive session the Sem
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 to anamd revolution. The read
ing of the title of the resolution evil
IDENTIFY revived memories of the last
session, for a smile was noticeable
upon the faces of several Senator's
Mr.. Lodge suggested that the resolu-
ton might be indefinitely postponed
With profit but in the absence OF Mr..
Daniel. it was allowed to go over
Mr.. Scott. in explanation of the bill
10 pension telegraph operators, said
chat white the operators were not
enlisted they were the cOnfidrtial
agents Of the government and had
perforn1ed most important services
lie added that there were only about
200 Of the operators
Mr. Galiinger announced his IN
tention to vote against the bill, saying
tIat if it should Ass 1t would open
tho v-av 10 the pensiOning of all other
cIoeses of civilians who served in the
war and entail large expenditures.
Mr.. Cockrell called attention to the
fact that while soldiers were pa'd only
$I3 per month the telegraph opera
tors had received from $50 to Sl0O per
month. and on this account he OPP
posed the bill.
Mr., AcCumber spoke in support of
the bill. saying that there would be
only 1S7 benenciaries.
The Senate adjourned Until tomor-
row.