Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-20
Senate Accepts Conference
Panama Canal Report.
House Starts Debate on Fed.
eraI Control Of Insurance.
Former Auditor Crawford Found Guilty.
Connected With Postal Frauds.

Washington, Dec 19.-The Senate
today accepted the report of the con-
ference committee on the Panama
canal emergency appropriation bill and
thus, so far as it is concerned, finally
disposed of that measure. The ac-
ceptance of the report was preceded
by brief discussion of the restorat ton
of the bond provision to the appro-
priation bill and of the action of the
House in resenting the Senate's ac-
ton in separating those two questions.
Speeches We're made by Aldrich,
Spooner and Teller, all expressing the
opinion that the Senate had not con-
travened the constitutional provision
requiring that all revenue legislation
shall originate in the House of Rep
resentatives. The House message was
referred to the committee on finance
with instructions to report upon the
Senate prerogatives on the question
involved. Several minor bills were
passed during the day.
The Senate began its session by pass
ing a bill for the relief of n dead man.
the late Lieut.. William H. Hugo, who
was cashiered in 1881 as Mr. Pettus, who
reported the bill, said, for the offence of
being "tipsy" at roll call. The senator
said the bill had passed the Senate every
session since he had been a member
After the passage of some bills of local
Importance the Senate at 1o.45 went into
executive session. When the Senate re-
sumed business. Allison from the confer
ence committee presented the report on
the Panama bill.
Aldrich declared that the language Of
the provision relating to bonds as agreed
upon is similar to that of the funding act
of 1900, and he said that inasmuch as that
bill had originated in the Senate he was
surprised to hear that the House mad
taken exception to the Senate in separat-
ing the bond provision from the bill it
self.
SpOoner said that the original House
provision was capable of misinterpreta-
ton. ''It is not a difference of opinion
as to etiquette but the suggestion of the
House is challenge Of the power Of the
Senate" he said.
III the House is right, then the Senate
is deprived of a legislative function which
it has exercised from the foundation of
the government" he said. and added that
the Senate would be greatly weakened by
following such construction.
Spooner commended the course of the
Senate conferees in cooperating it's own
bill in the canal measure. and gave notice
that he would later move the reference
of the House communication to the COM
mitten on finance for full investigation.
Elkins suggested the construction of
the canal should be placed under the con-
troll of the engineers Of the army.
Teller said that the Senate conferees
had not surrendered any of the amend
atory powers of the Senate but that the
emergencies were such that it was
thought wise to yield to the House de-
mand for the construction of the two
measures in one.
German asked if the committee on ap-
preparations had accepted the construc-
ton by Sec. Taft that if the bonds Were
voted the President would have the right
to enter into a contract for the expendi-
ture Of the entire sum without further
action by Congress in the way of appro-
prations.
Allison replied that under the Spooner
law that was a disputed point, but that
the pending bill provided that in the fu-
ture there must be appropriations before
contracts can be entered into. The con-
ference report was then agreed to and on
House was referred to the committee on
finance with instructions to present re-
port on the subject
The Senate at $40 adjourned