The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-12-17
WORK OF
CONGRESS


After listening to the reading OF the
Presidents message the miscellaneous
work of the Senate Tuesday consisted
in the main Of the reference in execu-
tive session of about LOO recess nomi-
nations, which were sent i'm by the
President, and the adoption of resolu-
tons of regret on account of the death
of members of the House who have
passed away since the adjournment last
May. The reading of the Presidents
annual message was the chief business
of the session, but a number of bills
were sent to conference. among them
being one providing for a new immigra-
ton station in Boston In addition, the
speaker announced the appointment of
Mr.. Higgins, of Connecticut, to a place
on the committee on judiciary i'm place
Of Mr.. Littlefield, and of Mr.. Martin
to place on the committee on Indian
affairs In place of Mr.. Parker. de-
cesrsed. For the first time during the
present Congress there was a call OF
the committees of the House, but no
measure was reported by any of them.
-
The Senate session Wednesday was
devoted chiefly to the formal presenta.
ton of departmental reports and the
introduction of bills. The reports have
been made public from time to time
and the bills, numbering 352. were
chiefly for the granting of pensions.
Senator Johnston. of Alabama. intro
duced a bill to reinstate former Cadets
Rossell and Weaver, dismissed from
the military academy for hazing. He
declared that their punishment was
excessive and said that every new Sen
ator was hazed by being given unim-
portant assignments and being restrict
ed in his privileges. For nearly five
house the House considered the bin
providing for the taking of the thir-
teenth and subsequent decen.iial CEN
suses, and passed st without material
change. Prolonged. animated and. at
times. heated discussion was precipi-
tated over an amendment by Mr. Gil
lett. of Massachusetts. who sought 10
have the temporary census force au-
thorized by the bill with the excep
ton of a few minor positions, appoint
ed upon the basis of competitive instead
of non-competitive examinations.
The Senate held q short session
Thursday, during which an agreement
was reached for taking up the omnibus
claims bill Monday with the under
standing that it shall not interfere with
the consideration of the postal savings
bill or any other measure in which
senator's are especially interested. Aft
er short executive session the Senate
adjourned until Monday in respect to
the memory Of the late Representative
Charles T. Dunwell. of New York. At
no time was there n quorum I'm the
House. The legislative appropriation
bill was presented and several bills
passed, among them being one author
izing the removal OF the imposition of
loss of citizenship upon deserters in the
military and naval services. The rest
of the day was taken up in discussing
the bill to provide for the arbitrary in
vestigation Of difficulties between en-
ployers and employees.
The Senate was not i'm session Fri
day. In the House the legislative. ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill,
which usually excites considerable lis
cussion, lasting for several days. was
passed with little debate and practi-
cally In tie shape I'm which il came
from committee An unusual feature
was that no member asked for tine 10
indulge i'm general talk. The bill ear
ries an appropriation OF Sd, GG5. so.
The House, Immediately after c0nven-
ing. unanimously and without debate
adopted a resolution providing for the
Of a committee of five to
the reference TO the secret
service in the Presidents message. and
to suggest what action, II any, should
be taken in the matter.
-
The Senate was not in session Satur-
day. No particular program had been
maTI'ed out. but under a call of com
mittees several measures in which the
were especially interested
were considered. With few exceptions
they engendered the liveliest sort OF de-
bate. Parliamentary tactics weic free
ly resorted to. with the result that five
times the roll was called. The first
occurred on a resolution fixing
the boundary line between the States
Of Colorado. Oklahoma and New Mex
leo. which was adopted by a good ma
jority. but not without two roll calls
The House then by decisive vote re-
fused further to consider the bill PRO
viding for arbitrary settlement Of dis
putes between employers and employees
Next the bill providing for the protec-
lion Of aliens I'm the United States was
out at length. The measure
had rough sailing, and IL was PASSED
by slim majority after the roll had
been called twice
INTERESTING NEWS ITEMS.
Bloodhounds will be added TO the
Washington police force for xvort Il, III.