The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-28
THE SPIRIT d.
OF. CONGRESS.

April 1S.-The Senate continued the
consideration oftthe Sundry Civil Appro-
priaton bill, but did not conclude it. a
number OF other bills were passed during
the day, including the bills ratifying agree
ments with the Indians of the Devils
Lake, Rosebud and Flathead reservations.
South Dakota and Montana.
The conference report on the Army APP
preparation bill was presented.
The session of the House did not ad-
jorrn until after 8 o'clock, and the eight
posed Of Not only was the General De-
iicency bill passed, but conference re.
ports on the Fortiications and Army ap-
preparation bills were agreed to.
The bill prepared by the Department of
Justice, and introduced in the House last
Saturday by Mr.. Hit. to strengthen the
Chinese exclusion act, was attached to the
General Deficiency bill as a rider. There
were no votes in opposition.
| The fight OF the day was against the
item in the General Deficiency bill appro-
prating $1,5OO,OOO to carry out the pro-
visions of the recent Executive pension Or
der. The Democrats tried to strike the
appropriation from the bill and also tried
to have the terms of the Executive order
Incorporated rs part of the appropria-
ton act, but failed in both, the Republi
cans riding roughshod over all opposition.
April 19.-The question of additional
accommodations in the way of Office and
| committee rooms for the Senate occupied
the attention of the Senate the greater
part of the day The subject arose in
| connection with the provisions in the Sun
| dry Civil appropriation bill, one for an ex-
tension of the east front Of the Capitol
Building in accordance with sketches left
| by Architect Walters. ard the other for
an outside office and committee building
| Much variety OF opinion was expressed,
and the question was still under considera-
| ton when the Senate adjourned. Several
minor bills were passed during the day.
| After a debate extending through the
entire session, the House passed the State
hood bill providing for joint Statehood Of
Oklahoma and Indian Territory, under the
name Oklahoma. and Of Arizona and New
Mexico. under the name Arizona.
| In discussing the rule which had been
reported by the Committees on Rules,
providing for the immediate consideration
of the bill. Mr.. Williams. the minority
leader. declared that no Republican had
any idea that the bill would become a law
Mt this session. delegate Wilson
(Arizona) opposed the bill. but it was
favored by Delegates Rndey New Mex
| lco) ana McGulre tOKi3hOma).
April 2O.-The Senate: listened to a set
speech of almost two hours duration on
the trusts by Mr.. Dollvir, and afterward
| took up and completed ahe consideration
of the Sundry Civil appropriation bill,
again devotings much tine to the consid-
Grafton of the provisions for an extension
of the east front of the: Capitol and for
an additional office building for the Sen.
ate. the Office building: amendment was
agreed to as reported frcsn the committee.
| but the extension paragraph was so mOdi-
fled as practically to provide for plans
only, appropriation being reduced to $751;
The session. of the House was devoid of
| especial interest. After an extended de-
| bate, the Naval Appropriation bill was
| sent back to conference, the only disputed
| Senate amendment accepted being that
providing for the const: uction in navy
| lands of the New York Indians was
passed. after much discussion, and after
the Committee on Rules had brought in
resolution providing for its Immediate
| consideration.
April 2l:-The General Pension appro-
priation bill, carrying an appropriation of
over $137 100000, and the Emergency
River and Harbor appropriation bin,
which carries $3,O0O,O0O, We're passed by
the Senate, leaving only the General De
ficiency and the Military Academy bills of
the entire list of supply measures still to
be considered by the Selsate The House
bill increasing the size IF homestead en-
tries in Western Nebraska to $40 acres
| also received favorable consideration.
While the River and Harbor measure
was under consideration, Mr. German
sharply. criticised the failure to bring in
general river and barber BILL
Speeches were made OH the Pension bill
by Senators McCumber and Scott, the lat
ter declaring that he scd a service pen
sion of $50 per month.
The House gave evidence of approach
ing adjournment by passing a large num-
Der Of bills, among them .5eing one to pro-
| vide a temporary Government for the
| A rule was adopted, afser the Democrats
| had forced roll call, sor the considera-
| ton at any time of the bill creating a COM
mission to investigate th@ merchant marine
of the United States. after the bill was
read it was temporarily: laid aside.
| April 22-The General Deficiency Ap-
preparation bill occupied the major por-
ton of the Senate's :time, but before
it was taken up Mr. (ialIinger spoke at
some length on the tariff: policy of the Re-
publican party. While the reading of the
Deficiency bill was in It'ogress, Mr.. Cul-
Iom delivered a speech on the House
Chinese exclusion rider. He expressed the
opinion that there SHOULD be explicit legis-
lation reenacting existing, exclusion laws,
but took a position against the remaining
portion of the House provision, and en-
tered a motion to ;t out
During the day the athhntion of the SEN
ate was brought, to the amendment of the
House to the bill for ale government of
the canal zone and sosle embarrassment
was created by naming Mr.. German rs
Democratic corferee ON behalf of the SEN
ate in place Of Mr.. Mtrgan, who is the
senior Democratic memlar of the Commit
tee on InteroGeanic Cafals, with the re-
suit that both Senator's sdecIined to serve.
The feature: of the proceedings in the
House was an attack or President Roose-
Welt by Mr.. Claude Isitchin, of North