Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-03-02
{ 'onsress.
Resume Of the Wsek's
Proceeding.

I ~ Resume Of the Wssk's
Proceeding.
S~~~s>~>~.>S
Washington, Feb. 81. - The house
yesterday. after a seven-hour session,
passed the naval appropriation bill,
carrying total of $99,914,359. The
provision for two battleships, as re-
ported by the committee on naval af-
fair. was retained. Party lines were
broken over the proposal, at least 40
Democrats voting for the bill, while
about an equal number of Republicans
voted In opposition. Several important
changes in the bill were made. The
proposed increase of 1 200 men and Of
ficers for the marine corps was strick-
en- out as was the provision authoriz.
ing the construction of collier some.
where else than at the Mare Island
navy yard in California. In order to
do the work better an item of $175, 900
was inserted for the proper equipment
of the Mare Island yard.
Whether the senate conference on
the statehood bill will represent the
party that defeated joint statehood for
Arizona and New Mexico or the party
that fought for the retention of that
provision was debated at length in the
senate, but no decision was reached.
The arguments were interrupted by
the converting of the senate as court
to hear the Swayne impeachment
charges. but will be continued to-day.
The house managers in the Swayne
trial rested their case yesterday and
the defense opened
Washington, Feb. 22-The senate
yesterday passed the military academy
appropriation and began consideration
of the Indian appropriation bill. Early
in the day, in response to a question,
Mr.. Elkins, chairman of the committee
on interstate commerce, expressed the
opinion that it would be impossible to
secure railroad rate legislation during
the present session Of congress. The
senate took up the isthmian canal bill
and agreed to meet an hour earlier to-
day in order to advance the bill.
Ex-senator Higgins finished his pre-.
liminary statement in opening the de-
tense for Judge Swayne and one wit
ness for Judge Swayne was examined.
The house passed the Philippine tar
if DILL, practically as it came from the
committee, and with little or no dis
cussion
Immediately after the Philippines
tariff bill was disposed of the house
took up the river and harbor appro
priation bill, but it was soon laid aside
and several measures passed, the most
important of which was the authorize
ton for the secretary of war to re
turn to the several states the Unior
and Confederate battle flags.
Washington, Feb. 23.-After a brie1
but spirited debate the house yester
day sent back to conference the army
appropriation bill. All senate amend
ments again were disagreed to witt
the single exception of one appropria
ting $4,000 for continuing the cable
from Valdes to Seward, Alaska.
There was renewed discussion 0!
the provision regarding retired officer:
on duty with the militia of the severa
states, the name of Gen. Nelson A
Miles once more figuring conspicuous
ly in the debate. Determined opposi
ton developed to a motion by Mr.
Ames of Massachusetts to agree to The
senate amendment on that subject
| which is favorable to the retention O
full retired pay by Gen. Miles and 9th
| er officers Of high rank serving will
| militia organizations.
The balance of the day was devoted
( to consideration Of the river and har
Dor appropriation bill.
| The senate yesterday considered a
some length the bill providing civi
government for the Panama cana
zone. The question of the govern
ment's ownership of the Panama rail
way and it's relationship to the genera
question of government ownership o
railways was debated freely. Con
sideration of the bill was not com
pleted when the senate adjourned TO
want of a quorum.
Washington, Feb. "a. = Without ;
dollar being added or subtracted tn
river and harbor appropriation bill
passed the house yesterday after tn
session had run well into the evening
The total amount carried by the bill i
| $17,234,657. Throughout the day tn
progress of the bill was impeded b,
the offering of amendments, but onl
those presented by the committe
we're adopted.
The military academy appropriation
bill was sent to conference afte
agreeing to the senate amen dment al
thorizing the president to appoin
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