Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-03-15
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ulating the selection of officers in the
revenue cutter service. Senator Knox
submitted extracts from the railroad laws
of several States At 8 80 o'clock the
statehood bill was taken up and read and
then Mr.. Nelson resumed his discussion
of the measure. Legislation by unanimous
consent under suspension of the rules en-
abled the House TO pass several bills of
considerable Importance. \ resolution of
inquiry as to whether any criminal pros
ecutions have been inaugurated in the
Northern Securities case was adopted
after some heated debate. Mr.. Shackel-
ford of Missouri attacked the concentra-
ton of power in the hands of the Speak
er in a speech on bridge bill. The
Senate measure providing for a delegate
to Congress from Alaska was passed
-:
The question of enlargement of the
army by disposing of contract surgeons
and replacing them with surgeons who
shall be given the rank of army officers
occupied the attention Of the Senate for
the greater part of Tuesday. Mr.. Hale
criticised the bill severely. Senators Car
ter and Gallinger also spoke against it,
and Senators Warren and Blackburn IN
its favor. The measure was not disposed
of. Senator Long spoke in behalf of the
statehood bill. Senators Clapp, McCum
Der and Du Bots were appointed to confer
with a House committee for the settle
ment of the affairs of the five civilized
tribes of Indian Territory. A unanimous
resolution was passed declaring Anthony
Michalek a citizen of the United States,
a resident of Illinois and a duly elected
member of the Fifty-ninth Congress. The
bill permitting tobacco growers to sell
leaf tobacco through agents without pay
ing the tax of cents a pound heretofore
charged was passed without discussion.
The remainder of the day was devoted to
tariff discussion, precipitated by the In
dian appropriation bill.
-
Two speeches on the railroad rate bill
were made in the Senate Wednesday.
Mr. Scott spoke in opposition to the
pending measure, and Mr.. Clapp sup
ported it. The remainder of the session
was devoted to statehood, Messrs. Per-
kins and Spooner speaking in opposition.
Under the cover of the general debate on
the Indian appropriation bill the House
INDUCED in a food of oratory. Mr..
Burke IS. D. told of the prosperous con-
dition of the Indians; Mr.. Kline (Pa.l
advocated reforms in the fiscal system !;
Mr.. Brantley (Ga.) spoke against fed
eral licenses for pilots; Mr.. Haughen
Uowa) opposed the establishment of a
parcels post Mr.. Gardner (MaSs.) urged
additional immigration restrictions, and
Mr.. Gaines (Tenn.) defended Henry
Clay from the charge of being a stand
patter.
The entire time of the Senate Thurs
day was devoted to general debate on the
statehood bill. Messrs. McCumber and
Patterson opposed the measure as it now
stands. while Mr.. Beveridge supported it.
He had not completed his speech when
adjournment was taken. The House pass
ed the Indian appropriation bill, carrying
S7,7S5,52S. Only a few minor amend
ments were made. The members then pro-
ceedeG to entangle themselves over the
bill TO abolish the grade of lieutenant
general. The result was an adjournment
for lack of quorum, but the vote to
consider the bill showed an overwhelming
sentiment in its favor, and it probably
will be passed in due course. The follow
ing resolutions were passed: Calling on
the Secretary of State for the report of
Herbert II. d. Peirce on the condition Of
American consulates in the Orient, and
especially Shanghai; requiring the Post
master General to report to the House
whether Town Topics is admitted to the
mails and whether the government assists
the publication in Its occupation of ex-
tortiug money by blackmail.' The latter
was IRON Bourke Cochran.
-
The Senate Friday passed a bill for
the admission of a new State to be called
Oklahoma and to be composed of the
present territory of Oklahoma and Indian
Territory. 1t was the House joint state
hood bill with all the provisions relat-
ing to Arizona and New Mexico stricken
out. The motion to eliminate these terri
tories from the measure prevailed by a
vote Of 81 to 50. The House railroad
rate bill was made unfinished business.
During the morning hour" a bill appro-
priating $4,000 for the improvement of
the mouth of the Columbia River was
passed. The House passed 40S private
pension bills and devoted three hours to
the consideration of a bill providing for a
uniform system of naturalization, the
chief feature of which requires an alien
to write either his own or the English
language and to speak and read the lat
ter. and to declare his intention TO re-
side permanently in the United States
before he can become an American citi-
zen. 1t met with many objections. A
resolution calling on the Postmaster Gen
eral to inform the House why the linda
homa Union Signal of Shawnee, Okla. is
excluded as second-class mail matter was
laid on the table. Both houses adjourn
ed until Monday.
Notes Of the National Capital.
Congressman Hopkins urges Congress
TO check the flow of dangerous class of
Immigrants.
Free distribution of seeds will cease
and the government will save $250.000 a
year if Congress approves the recommend
alton of the House committee on agri
culture.
Secretary Shaw announces himself in
favor of the reduction of internal reve
nue. duty on grain alcohol.
Congressman Hill, speaking for the
army bill. told the House the nation
should prepare for trouble with China.
A great chance for American COM
merce in Manchuria as result of Rus
sian development is predicted in a State
Department report.
Legal experts of House Judiciary com
mittea hold life insurance cannot be con-
sidered commerce between States, and
federal legislation on subject, therefore,
is improbable.
The urgent deficiency appropriation bill
agreed upon at the conference of Repre-
sentatives of the House and Senate COM
mittees on appropriations carries an APP
preparation of S16.273,622, or S1,061,S95
more than the deficiency bill of the House
contained and S1S6,177 less than the bill
carried as it passed the Senate.
The judiciary committee of the Senate
authorized a favorable report on the So
called cotton leak" bill. The bill pro-
vides for the punishment by fine or i'm
prisonment of ell officials and employees
Of the government who take advantage of
any information obtained directly or indi-
rectly by reason of their position affecting
bar