The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-04-30
WORK OF
CONGRESS

OSD~'~NSD~~SN~N~"~rSN
Calling attention to the Grand Army
button he wore on the lapel of his coat
and insisting that he had no prejudice
against negro soldiers, some Cf whom he
claimed as comrades, Senator Warner of
Missouri in the Senate Tuesday declared
his conviction that the town of Browns
vile, Texas, had been shot up by negro
soldiers of the Twenty Infantry in
1906. Without concluding his remarks,
Mr.. Warner gave way for the naval APP
preparation bill. which was read in part
An amendment was adopted making the
20 per cent increase in the pay of officers
apply TO those retired as well as on the
active list. The Senate then entered into
a long discussion of the policy of sending
the naval lotilla around the world. The
Senate adopted the conference report on
the Indian appropriation bill, and adj
journed. Although several hours were
consumed in roll calls the day in the
House was one of comparative activity
and several measures of Importance were
put through The principal of these per-
haps was the resolution by Speaker Can
non providing for an investigation of the
paper trust,
The Brownsville affair and the naval
appropriation bill occupied practically
the entire time of the Senate Wednesday.
The naval bill was read through. with the
exception of the sections relating to bat
tie ships. Mr.. Hale announced that he
would propose an amendment appropriat
,.,r- z e. ,offf
the new battle ships. Senator Warren.
reverting TO recent speech by Senator
Hale against military enlargement, read
statements from the Secretary of War
and the chief of staff disclaiming any pur-
pose of securing a regular army of 1885,
600 men. The sum total of the proceed
ings cf the House was the passage under
suspension of the rules of three bills and
the defeat of one. When adjournment
was reached there was pending a meas
ure which instructs the Attorney Cen
eral to institute suits against the Oregon
and California Railroad Company for the
forfeiture of several million acres of land
grants liz & egon. The bills that got
through were as follows: Declaring the
right to enter as oil lands certain mineral
lands; authorizing the alienation of GER
tain allotments of the FIVE civilized tribes.
and removing the restrictions against for
eign ships with respect to trade between
the United States and the Philippine ISL
ands.
consideration of the naval appropriation
L
ton proposed an amendment increasing
from two to four the number of new bat
tleships to be authorized. As several
Senators desired to speak on the amend
ment, the further consideration of the
bill was postponed. An amendment to
the naval bill was adopted appropriating
100000 to begin construction on the
two battleships authorized. An amend
ment TO remove the restriction of the pur-
chase of materials for the construction
of the battleships. submarine boats, etc,
to those of domestic manufacture was de-
feated. Senator Rayner of Maryland spoke
ON the constitutional rights of the States
and executive encroachments. He insisted
that the commerce act of the Constitu-
ton had been interpreted as applying TO
the industrial life of the country TO a Far
greater degree than was contemplated by
the trainers of the Constitution. BY the
overwhelming vote of 245 to s the House,
after several hours discussion, adopted
without amendment the Senate joint reso-
luton introduced by Senator Tillman au-
thorizing the Attorney General to file
suits against the Oregon and California
Railroad Company for the forfeiture of
all or part of 100000 acres of land
grants in the western part of Oregon. 1t
is claimed by the government that by rea-
son of breaches and violations OF the act
making the grants the railroad company
had forfeited all right to the land in ques-
ton.
Arguments in favor of the Presidents
program for four battleships consumed
most of the session of the Senate Fri
day. Mr.. Hale laid before the Senate a
statement of battleships and other fea-
lures of the American naval program,
which he said showed that as large feet
as is now in the Pacific can be kept there.
and at the same time there would be ships
for still larger feet for the Atlantic.
Senator Beverage concluded the debate
for the day with strong appeal for four
battleships. The Senate passed bill
appropriating 100000 for a survey of an
inland water route from Boston to Will
mingtOn. The business of the House
proceeded at a rapid gait, despite the fact
that the Democrats forced six roll calls
Another day was spent by the Senate
Saturday in considering the amendment
to the naval appropriation bill, but vote
was not reached at the close of the dis
cussion. which was participated in by a
dozen senators. Mr.. Hale secured an
agreement lor a vote before adjournment
of the Senate on Monday. Much of the
discussion was devoted TO the improba-
bility of war being forced upon the United
States. Senators Beverage and Piles
were sharply criticized by Senator's Al
drich. Perkins and Macumber for their
statement Friday, and several heated col
loques occurred. AT the conclusion of
the debate a number of bills were passed.
The House was in legislative session only
two hours, during which time. after con-
siderable discussion. it passed the bill re-
classifying and increasing the pay of GER
tain officials and employees of the customs
side
NATIONAL CAPITAL NOTES.
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