The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-01-17
PENAL CODE BILL
CoasidsTed by Both Houses
Of Congress
SLOW PROGRtis MACE
Every Amendment Offers Causes
Lengthy Dsbate

Difficult to Muster up Quorum
I'm tile Senate-Letting Down of
Rars i'm House Results i'm Some I'M
portant Changes i'm Biil-No Repis
Received From Secretary Ccrteiyou
tn senate Resolution
Washington, January 15.-Tne sen
OTTO did not receive reply today from
the secretary of the treasury TO us
resolution calling for information con-
corning the financial situation, as naa
haan nromised. and in it's absence Sen
ator Aldrich assented to the passage
of senator Culberson's resolutions on
tho came subject The resolution was
adopted.
The senate passed joint resolution
reducing from s24,44O, ,O7S to $11 ,655, ,4s2
the war Indemnity of the United STATES
from China growing out OF the Boxer
disturbances in 1900.
The remainder of the session was
devoted to the discussion of the penal
code bill.
The bill to codify the penal laws or
the United States was taken up as the
unfinished business. Mr.. Heyburn,
chairman of the joint committee on re-
vision Of the laws, explained In detali
the work of the committee.
Senator Burkett Of Nebraska, said sc
important a measure should receive
the attention of the senate. He then
referred to the almost deserted cham
Der, whereupon the vice president or
dered a roll call, and the consideration
of the bill was begun.
Five minutes after the completion
of the call for a quorum the senate
chamber was again almost empty.
After a second call, Senator Hepburn
suggested that all sections to which
there should be objection should be
passed over, in that way permitting
progress to be made without the nee
essity of keeping a quorum Of the SEN
ate present at all times.
With that understanding the read
ing of the bill was continued.
AS the reading OF the bill was con-
tinued Senator Burkett insisted that
more senators should be present and
under the method of procedure, every
section is adopted by the committee of
the whole upon being read, with only
an opportunity to question it when the
bill is in the senate.
Senator Bacon joined IN declaring
that the enactment of criminal code
is too important to be proceeded with
in the presence of only few senator's
present
Mr.. Fullerton appealed to the sena-
tors not to insist upon a full atten-
dance, as 1t had never been possible
when such bills are under considera=
tion.
Senator Teller said that he wished
to have recorded his objection to Sec
ton 80 in which, in the discretion of
the court, double penalty of fine
and Imprisonment may be imposed. He
also said that the United States sup
RENE court had decided that a mere
regulation creating a criminal offense
is unconstitutional and he proposed to
object to granting any authority in the
bill for the making of such departmen-
tai regulations
Senator Carter of Montana brought
the discussion concerning the proper
mode of procedure to a close by NOV
ing an executice session.
THE HOUSE.
So persistent have been the efforts
in the house of representatives to
amend the bill codifying the penal
laws of the United States, that the
on the revision of the laws
today consented to let down the bars
and as result the measure was
changed in some important particulars.
The pacific attitude of the committee
in this regard served to mollify the op-
posing members.
When the house at 4.50 p. m, ad-
journed there were pending number
Of other important amendments The
portions of the bill which attracted the
attention were those covering the Civ
ing and accepting of bribes by senators
and members and the sale of endorse
ments or support for appointive pub
lie Offices. 1t is to the amendments
touching those questions that the
house tomorrow win devote itself upon
resuming consideration Of the bill
MIR. Leake of New Jersey was the
frst TO start the debate Today which