Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-01

Washington, Jan. 25.--In the senate
the consideration of the army appro-
priation bill brought on a vigorous de-
bate over the amendment to reduce the
pay of retired army officers above the
rank OF major while on service with
militia. Several amendments were
suggested, but action on them and on
the provision went over. Some 200
pension bills were passed. A resolu-
tion calling on the postoffice depart
ment for information covering the
dealings of that department with the
railroads isnce 1878 was adopted The
controversy was begun by Senator
Lodge, who criticised in sharp lang
uage the provision of the army bill
prohibiting the awarding of extra pay
or allowances to retired officers as
signed to active service, when they
exceed those of a major on the active
list. Senator Lodge declared that the
provision was directed at General
Miles and was most unfair. Senators
Lodge, Proctor, Plat of Connecticut,
Spooner, Bailey, Patterson, Carmack
and Money took part in the debate
which followed Senators Spooner,
Plat and Money contended that the
enactment would have the effect of
limiting The salaries Of all retired Of
ficers assigned to active duty to a
majors pay, regardless of rank.
Senator Spooner contended that the
paragraph was an indirect effort to
prevent the assignment to active ser
vice of genral officers and denounced
i as "cowardly"
Senator Teller introduced a resolu-
ton declaring that "it is the duty of
the senate of the United States to ad-
here to, support and firmly maintain
It's rislt OF participation in every
agreement. treaty or convention en-
tered into with any foreign power that
has the effect Of law under the consti-
tuition of the United States and every
such agreement that is not submitted
to the senate for its advice and con-
sent. or that is / 1t ratified by vote
of two-thirds of the senators present
and constituting a quorum of the sen
ate is not obligatory as supreme law
upon the government, states or people
II tle United States" 1t is aimed at
the agreement just concluded with
San Domingo. Senator Alger intro
duced a bill apprJpriating $4,000 for
the erection of a monument to the
memory of Captain Gridley, who com
manded Admiral Deweys flagship
Olympia at the battle of Manila bay.
In connection with the presentation
of the bill, Senator Alger had read a
letter from Mrs. Gridley to President
Roosevelt. In this letter, Mrs Grid
le ystated that at 81 years of age, she
is working as a clerk in one of the
executive departments at Washington
and is financially unable to erect
monument herself She therefore asks
the president to exercise his III
fuence in the interest of monument.
She also mentions the death by acct
dent of Captain Gridley's only son On
the Missouri and suggests that the
monument might be of joint nature.
Tne house passed the District OF
Columbia and the military academy
appropriation bills. The senate
amendments to the Notifications ap-
preparation bill were not concurred in
and the bill was sent to conference.
The bill extending the presidential
succession act so as ia include the
secretaries of agriculture and com
merce and labor in the order named
was passed. The agricultural appro,
priation bill was reported. Mr.. Baker
of New York made a speech assailing
the protective tariff policy of the re-
publican party.