Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-02-28
WORK OF
CONGRESS-

several HOuTS III VI
the forestry provisions in the agricultural |
appropriation bill, with the result that |
several amendments were agreed TO which |
restrict the operations of the bureau in |
several respects. The section of the bill |
had not been completed when a recess was
taken for the evening session. At the
night session several bills which were not
Of general Importance were passed. After |
passing a number of bills under unani-
nous consent the House resumed consider
alton of the postoffice appropriation bill.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Gillespie
Of Texas, Murphy of Missouri. Robinson
Of Arkansas. Padgett of Tennessee, Lloyd
Of Missouri, Stevenson OF Minnesota.
Finley of South Carolina and Stafford of
Wisconsin Mr.. Macon of Arkansas made
a point of order against the paragraphs
increasing the pay of clerks in first and
second class postoffices and carriers IN
the city delivery service. spirited pass
age of words ensued between Mr.. Macon
and Mr. Fitzgerald of New York, wherein
the latter gave notice that he would see
that a point of order was made against
the section providing for the increase for
rural carriers. Mr.. Macon refused to
abandon his position and the chair sus-
tanned the points of order.
-:
The Senate Wednesday. by a vote OF
% to 40. rejected the resolution declaring
Reed Smoot not entitled to a seat as
Senator from the State of Utah. Previ-
ously. by a vote of 40 to %. on motion
of Senator Hopkins, an amendment was
adopted providing that two-thirds Of the
Senator Smoot in order to make the order
effective. The Senate then took up SEN
ator Aldrich's financial bill. which was
debated for an hour. when adjournment
was taken until evening. At the night
session the naval and rivers and harbors
appropriation bills We're passed. The post
Office appropriation bill was passed by the
House. All the provisions relating to IN
creased pay affecting 80 per cent of the
postaI employees were restored to the bill.
-
The Senate completed the reading of
the agricultural bill Thursday after most
of the day had been spent in debate on
the forestry system and the grazing land
provision Smarting under what they con-
sidered unfair treatment. the Democrats
reSorted TO systematic series of objec-
t;ons against provisions in the Sundry
civil bin in the House. They compelled
the Republicans to maintain 100 members
for quorum of the committee OF the
whole and forced the reading of the bill
in full. for the first time at this session OF
Congress- wasting nearly three hours
time. Several times, on demand, quo
RIM was counted at the night session. and
MANY of the members appeared in evening
dress. At 10 40 p. m. the committee rose,
having completed ninety-six pages OF the
bill. and Immediately thereafter ad-
journed.
The agricultural appropriation bill took
I'D most of the time of the Senate at BON
the day and night sessions Friday. The
grazing amendment was stricken out OF
the bill on point of order raised by Mr..
Aidrich The conference report on the
legislative. executive and judicial appro-
priation bill was agreed to. The conferees
on the Indian appropriation bill reported,
and Mr.. Clapp gave notice that he would
call it up Saturday. The military acad-
emv appropriation bill was reported and
passed. 1t carries S1.9I4,3S3. an increase
of S33 400 over the amount appropriated
by the House The House devoted prac-
ticallv its entire session TO consideration
of the sundry civil appropriation bill. The
work of special agents of the Depart
ment of the Interior was severely criti-
cised as working unnecessary hardship to
settlers in the debate on an amendment
intended to limit their work to investiga-
tions to cases where there is ground to
suspect fraud. which was adopted. The
conference report on the omnibus light
house bill was adopted. and the measure
now goes TO the President. In committee
of the whole 800 Senate private pension
bills were passed in thirty minutes.
-
Tlthough the Senate devoted four hours
| TO legislative matters Saturday, nothing
was accomplished except speechmaking.
The agricultural appropriation bill re-
ceived further criticism on the forestry
section. The Senate leaders expressed
Discrimination to permit much more talk
on the BILL An hour was devoted to de-
bate on Senator Aldrich's currency bill,
| and the time after :, o'clock was devoted
to eulogies of the late Senator Alger of
Michigan and Representatives Hit of IL
| linois. Hoar of Massachusetts and Lester
| of Georgia Under a rule reported from
| the committee ON rules the House amend
| ed its substitute for the La Toilette six
| teen-hour railroad employees bill. in line
| with the Presidents views. by an affir-
NATIVE vote of 30. there being no mega,
| tive votes cast. The House agreed to the
conference report on the legislative. ex-
ecutive and Judiciary bill and then re-
| solved itself into the committee of the
whole for the further consideration of
| the sundry civil bill. holding a night SEES
| sion in the hope of completing the meas
| ure. which was passed at II A p. m.
National Capital NOfea.