Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-01-23
WORK OF
CONGRESS
.~N~~N~~~oI

kol VA luC 4ISdSuIs was lQe 0ItdSlOl VI
an animated debate in the Senate Mon
day. The discussion was precipitated by
an inquiry by Senator Culberson and was
participated in by Senators Aldrich, Till
man and Bailey. 1t resulted in an agree
ment to postpone further controversy I'M
I'll q statement can be received from Sec
rotary Cortelyou. Mr.. Tillman's resolu-
tons directing the Finance Committee TO
inquire into the operations of the Treas
ury Department was referred, with his
consent, to that committee. The unfn-
ished business in the form of bill to
codify the criminal laws of the United
States was placed before the Senate and
the reading of the bill was begun. Wig
orous defense of States rights in dealing
with violations of civil rights or with spe
cial State elections where troops have
been called into service served to enliven
the debate in the House in connection
with the bill to codify the penal laws of
the United States. A number of Demo
Gratis, mostly from the Southern States,
strenuously sought by amendment to re-
serve to the States themselves the dis
erection as to the qualifications of voters,
and Of persons to serve on juries, and to
limit the power of federal judges On GER
tain cases; but every attempt failed.
-
The recent federal bond issue was
again the subject for discussion in the
Senate Tuesday, being brought forward
for a resolution offered by Senator Gull
berson. calling on the secretary for addi-
tional information concerning the reasons
that induced him to award bonds TO ma
tional banks instead of to individuals
who offered a higher price. Mr.. Aldrich
insisted that the resolution should not be
adopted until after Secretary Cortelyou's
reply to a resolution formerly adopted by
the Senate was received, but promised to
aid in securing additional information.
Mr.. Culberson's resolution went over I'M
der the rules. Senator Tillman offered a
resolution embodying a new series of in
Quiries concerning the financial situation.
The amount of the fine and the length of
the term of Imprisonment to be melted out
to officers and directors of corporations
for violating the law with respect to
money contributions for political purpos-
es furnished material for debate in the
House in connection with the considera-
ton of the penal code bill. All amend
down. Earlier in the day there was a
sharp debate over the section prohibiting
the enticing of artifcers and workmen
from government arsenals or armories by
private employers, and all attempts to
amend the provision so as to make it ap-
plicable only in time of war or public
emergency were voted down. When ad-
journment was taken eighty-six sections
of the $40 had been disposed of.
The Senate did not receive q reply
Wednesday from the Secretary of the
Treasury to its resolution calling for in
formation concerning the financial situa-
ton, and N its absence Senator Aldrich
assented to the passage of Senator Gull
bersons resolution on the same subject.
A joint resolution reducing from S24,-
100000 to $11,00O,O0O the war indem-
nifty of the United States from China
was passed. The remainder of the ses-
sion was devoted to the discussion of The
penal code bill. The committee on re-
vision OF the laws in the House finally
consented to allow amendments to the
bill codifying the penal laws of the Uni
ted States, and as a result the measure
was changed in some important particu-
lars. When the House adjourned there
were pending a number of important
amendments.
The Senate calendar was cleared of
nearly every bill upon it Thursday, and
the bill to revise the criminal laws Of the
United States was taken up and discuss
ed until adjournment. A complete change
OF front was exhibited by the majority N
the House of Representatives in the con-
sideration of the bill TO codify and revise
the penal laws of the United States. The
pacific spirit displayed by the committee
on revision of laws, toward the close of
Wednesdays session. when it appeared as
though the several amendments strength
eping certain provisions of the bill regard
ing corruption in the appointment of per-
sons to public Offices would be adopted.
vanished, and instead every inch Of
ground was fought over to keep amend
ments out of the bill. When adjourn
mont was taken only six additional pages
had been disposed of and but one or Two
verbal amendments by the committee had
been inserted.
The Senate was not in session Friday.
After passing large number of pension
bills the House at l % p. m. adjourned
until Monday. The penal code bill was
not taken up.
NATIONAL CAPITAL NOTES.
A free art bill was introduced in the
House by Mr.. Burton of Ohio. 1t was
referred to the committee on ways and
means. /
Representative Mann of Chicago in