The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-03-08
IN CONGRESS

by a board OF three army englneers-
Official announcement was made at
the White House Tuesday that all BIDS
for constructing the Panama Canal by
contract have been rejected, and that
an entire reorganization OF the canal
work will be made.
AS it passed the Senate Tuesday, the
sundry civil appropriation bill carries
$3.50, 900 for continuing the c~oal-testing
plant of st. Louis and $4,000 for the
tests on structural iron and other
building materials. The House bill car
| ried 5000, 900 for the coal tests and
nothing for the structural tests. The
increases were put in in the Senate at
the instance of Senator Stone.
Secretary Treasury Shaw Tuesday
formally transmitted to Congress the
Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
requesting an additional appropriation
OF s135,240 to complete the work of the
convention and pay the expenses OF
the first election. The Secretary does
not recommend the appropriation OF
this amount, simply passing the matter
up to Congress for proper action"
This is the usual procedure.
The Illinois and Missouri Senators
will protest vigorously against the
acceptance by the Senate conferees OF
the House reduction of the st. Louis.
Cairo appropriation. Stone of Missouri
If he could get cooperation probably
would participate In a desperate fight
against the whole bill rather than &C.
cept the $250,000 p~ittance for the
Mississippi. There seems to be no
Likelihood that he will have such CO.
operation and that the $25O,000 pro-
position will 60 through.
Only Murdoch of Kansas, among the
Republicans, and eighteen Democrats,
not a sufficient number, stood up
Teusday to demand a roll cali in the
House upon the proposition OF accept.
ing the Senate. amendment to the
Post-Office appropriation bill, known
as the Murdoch amendment, which
would accomplish a $1,000 900 reduc-
ton in railroad mail pay. BY a rising
vote of 1876 to &c, the motion of Re-
preventative Overstreet to disagree to
the Senate amendment and send the
bill to conference was adopted.
The question of ship subsidy
secured a marked impetus In the
house, which adopted a rule that will
probably insure passage by the house
CT the Littauer substitute fer the sen.
ate bill, and result before the final adj
journment in positive legislation.
The conference report on the Indian
appropriation bill was adopted, as was
the conference report on the bill pro.
yiding for the allotment and distribu-
ton of Indian tribal funds.
The post office bill was passed In an
hour and fifteen minutes Amendments
adding $~1,3SS,759 for the extension of
the pneumatic mail service and re-
curing postal cars to be lighted with
electricity were adopted.
Mr.. Lodge secured the passage of
the Philippine agricultural bank bill.
The senate also passed a bill grant.
ing a service pension to army nurses.
Those who are disqualified to earn a
livelihood, and have reached the age
OF 81 years, are to receive s12 a
month; at 10 years, SIS, and at rs, $50
The senate laid on the table an
amendment to the Lodge Philippine
bank bill by Mr.. Culberson, discIaim.
Ing any intention on the part of the
United States to remain permanently
in the Philippines. but asserting that
whenever a stable government shah
be established the United States will
withdraw.
BY a vote Of 43 to 10, the senate
ratified the Santo Domingo treaty.
This was n more vote in the affirm
than was required.
The senate passed the agricultural
appropriation bill, carrying Sal. 900.
900; the pension appropriation bin.
carrying S145,o 900, 900, and the bill au.
thorizing the establishment of an az.
bank in the Philippine is
A dispatch from Washington says:
When Leslie M. Shaw, secretary of
treasury, leaves President Roose-
velts cabinet, he will 60 to New York
and at once assume the duties Of the
newly organized Carnegie Trust Co.
Of New York city.
James Bryce, ambassador from Eng.
land, was formally presented to Pres.
dent Roosevelt by Secretary Root.
Bryce made a short ad.
lress regarding his appointment. In
which he said King Edward wanted
he present cordial relations between
and the United States
strengthened.
The senate Monday morning
aid on the table an amendment to the
Lodge Philippine bank bill by Mr.. Cul.
person, disclaiming any intention on
he part of the United States to re.
main permanently in the Philippines,
asserting that whenever a stable
government shall be established the
United States will withdraw. Thu
amendment was identical in language
With a resolution presented In Febru.
Try, 1899, by Mr.. Bacon. At that time
here was a tie vote on the proposition.
1t was defeated by tie vice presi.
lent casting his vote in the, negative. .
The principal fight over the aericu,. !
ural appropriation bill took place ON :
he Beveridge amendment requiring :
packers to pay the cost Of admin. !
sterfng the meat inspection law. This {
amendment was defeated On a point of J
rider. Mr.. Beyeridpe sacrras I