The National tribune., 1905-12-21
THE SPIRIT OF CONGRESS.
Some OF the More Notable Pro.
ceedings of the Week.

Sency Appropriation bill carrying SILL
100000 for the Panama Canal. The i'm
promptu debates prolonged the session
until nearly , J.. m.
The del bate over rate making was
Irecipitatcd by an amendment, offered
by senator Tillman, to the Interstate
Commerce law. After frank discussion
his Dill was referred to the Committee
On Interstate Commerce.
Senator Allison, Chairman OF the
committee on Appropriations insisted
upon the Canal Emergency bill being
referred 10 his committee. and this I'm
any was done, after an interesting
struggle between his committee and the
Committee on iRteroceanic Canals.
The Senate took up the Santo Domin-
go treaty in Executive Session. In the
absence of Mr.. Cullom. Chairman OF
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
"ho was i'll. Mr.. Lodge had charge OF
The measure for the Administration.
House.
Speaker Cannon announced the COM
mittees for the 59th Congress.
Mr. Lamar CFla.), rising to a ques-
tion of privilege, which was denied by
the Chair. requested unanimous con-
sent TO be permitted TO address the
house on newspaper clipping which
he had read, in which John Sharp Will
l;ams, minority leader, was alleged TO
have given certain reasons why he had
mittee that would be called upon to
deal with railroad-rate legislation.
Mr.. Williams objected on the ground
That Democratic harmony would not be
erected by washing Democratic linen
for the amusement of the Republican
members of the House.
Amid some confusion, the House adj
journed.
Senate.
Dec. 1.-THE open session OF the
Senate was brief and featureless In
Executive session the Administrations
Santo Domingo treaty was presented
by Senator Lodge, Acting Chairman OF
the Committee on Foreign Relations
The treaty was discussed ramblingly
for about half hour, Mr.. Lodges re-
quest that il be referred back to the
committee for some slight revisions be-
ing refused at the instance of Senator
Morgan.
The Emergency Appropriation bill for
the Panama Canal was favorably re.
ported by the Committee on Appropria-
tons without amendment, and pro.
toked debate that will be prolonged
| through this week.
The House was not in session.
Senate.
Dec. 13.-The Senate held another
short session that was uninteresting ex.
cept that Senator Allison for the Com
mfttee on Appropriations, reported the
i'anama Emergency Appropriation bill
and as expected provoked a lively de-
bate.
In Executive session Senator Lodge
again moved that the Santo Domingo
treaty be referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations, and his motion
prevailed.
The greater part of the day was
spend in what Minority Leader Williams
characterized last Monday as washing
party linen" Messrs. Lamar (Fla.)
and Shackleford (Mo.) attacked Mr.
Williams for his refusal to reappoint
them as members Of the Committee on
| Interstate and Foreign Commerce, and
Mr.. Williams replied, giving the House
his reasons.
The real business before the House
was the reference of the Presidents
Annual Message to the proper commit
tees. Without completing this task the
House adjourned.
Senate.
Dec. 1.-THE Senate passed the bill
placing the entire authorized issue of
Panama Canal bonds on a par with the
2 per cent conSOlS in order that they
may be used by the banks as additional
basis of circulation.
The emergency appropriation bill.
carrying $11,000,000 for the Panama
Canal, was the regular order of bust
ness, and was debated all afternoon
without arousing the expected heat and
| excitement Mr.. Teller occupied most
of the time, and was followed by Mr..
Scott, Mr.. Morgan, and Mr.. Tillman.
House.
I'll
of the question of the proper committee
reference of that portion of the Presi-
dents Message touching upon Federal
control of life insurance. Without
| reaching any conclusion, adjournment
was taken.
Dec. Ex-senator Tillman IS CD,
during the consideration of the appro-
priation for the Panama Canal, told the
Senate of the growth of imperialism
and the usurpation of power by the
President, alluding to the latter's course
in regard to the Santo Domingo treaty
as tricky" The President was defend
ed by Senator Spooner. Senator Till
man went on TO severely criticiSe the
methods of the Panama Canal Commits
sion, defending the statements of the
newspapers, rating the salary of Mr..
Bishop as too high, charging unfair
ness in the Markell food contract and
suggesting an investigation.
House.
The House spent almost five hours
considering the reference of that por-
ton of the Presidents Message reIat-
ing to Federal control of life insurance.
Speeches were made by Messrs Cock
ran On. W, Sherley (Ky.), Williams
(Miss.) and Mann Ull). Mr.. Adams
(Pa.) spoke on the subject of hazing
at the Naval Academy. At the opening
Of the session the House, by a unani-
nous vote, refused to accept the Sem
ate's bill relative to canal bonds and
sent it back to that body, accompanied
by resolution calling the attention of
the Senate to the fact that it had in
fringed upon the rights of the House,
wherein all bills pertaining to the rails
ing of revenue must originate
Wagner's Brave Men Defended.