The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-02-06
WORK OF


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Greatly TO the surprise of every one the
subject of slavery was introduced in the
| Senate Monday. Secretary TAFT was diJ
rectly charged with having a knowledge
of slavery in the Philippine Islands. The
debate was made pertinent by the sections
Of the bill revising the criminal code Of
The United States, which provide penalties
for dealing in slaves. Mr.. Hale asserted
| that such provisions should be stricken
| out. Senator Hepburn declared that not
only is there immoral traffic in white
| slaves, but that actual human slavery is
still maintained in the Philippine Islands.
The street railway systems of the Dis
trict of Columbia and the financial ques-
ton occupied the time of the House Of
| Representatives,. The latter subject was
discussed by Mr.. Fowler, chairman of the
committee on banking and currency, in an
exhaustive speech, in which he opposed
5ond-secured currency and the proposition
looking to the establishment Of a central
bank.
The Senate Tuesday disposed of a large
number of minor bills on the calendar,
and resumed consideration of the bill to
| revise the criminal code of the United
States. Senator Hepburn was anxious to
continue consideration of the code bill, of
which he is in charge, until more pro-
gress should be made, but adjournment
was taken. National politics, interna-
tional marriages and government expendi-
lures formed the themes of discussion in
the House. Incidentally it was the long
est sitting of the House this session. The
urgent deficiency bill was up for consid-
Grafton, but in several instances it was
ignored under the license of general de-
bate. The presence of William ]. Bryan
in the lobby of the House furnished in
spiration to Mr.. Wallace of Arkansas for
a vigorous speech.
-:
The Senate was entertained Wednesday
by a series of animated comments on the
method adopted by Secretary of he
Treasury Cortelyou in placing before the
Senate his reply to the resolution calling
for information relative to the operations
Of the Treasury Department in connec-
ton with the financial disturbance. The
Secretary had had the Introductory part
Of his reply printed and copies of the
pamphlet were on the desks of all Sena-
tors, which was declared by Democratic
Senators to be without precedent. The
Senate devoted considerable time to pass
ing minor bills on the calendar. The
med of an American merchant marine
as an auxiliary to the navy formed the
principal topic of discussion in the House
of Representatives during the considera-
ton of the urgent deficiency appropria-
ton bill. The debate was participated in
by Mr.. Littlefeld of Maine, who ques-
toned the legality of the provision of the
bill appropriating 81 100000 to supply a
| deficiency for coal for the navy caused
by the transfer of the battle ship feet
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He
criticised Congress for its failure to make
appropriations for a merchant marine.
His remarks elected from Mr.. Fitzger-
aid, New York, the charge that the Re-
publican party was responsible for that
| condition, while Mr.. Sherley, Kentucky,
| maintained that the lack of a merchant
marine, "a national disgrace" was cue to
| Republican policies. The bill was still
under consideration when the House adj
journed.
The Senate held a short session Thurs.
day, during which Senator Aldrich re-
ported his banking bill from the commit
tee on finance and announced he would
call the measure up for consideration on
Monday, Feb. 10. The urgent deficiency
appropriation bill was passed by the
House. The total amount carried by il is
roo co. t-n can OlO loo. 49,. 90. -
ported by the committee. The largest
single reduction was hat of 100000 IN
the clothing fund of the army. When
| the session was resumed only a few pages
of the bill remained to be disposed of.
Included in these was a provision for
the appointment Of thirty-four additional
| policemen TO- the new House Office build
ing. Chairman Tawney urged the pro-
| vision because of the necessity for pro-
| tecting such costly government property
| and "of guarding the reputation and hon
or of the members" Mr.. Mann, Illinois,
| opposed the provision, and it was stricken
| out on a point of order after considerable
| discussion.
The reading of the Presidents message
| concerning the employers liability act,
| the granting of injunctions in labor cases
and other matters of a general nature
concerning corporations was the chief fea-
ture of the Senate proceedings Friday.
Tie message received careful attention.
The Senate ordered 10000 copies printed.
The remainder of the day was devoted
to routine business and a further consid-
Grafton of the bill to revise the criminal
laws of the United States. The first
reading of the bill was concluded. The
Senate adjourned until Monday. An un-
usual and almost unprecedented scene was
Enacted in the House of Representatives
as the result of the reading of a special
message to Congress by the President,
urging additional legislation in the mat
ter of relations of labor and capital and
of corporations and the public. The Wig
crous language of the document brought
forth storms of applause, first on the
| Democratic side of the House, then on the
| Republican, and eliminating in a general
demonstration by the entire body. After
passing 2SS pension bills. the Indian ap-
preparation bill was discussed. Its con-
sideration had not been completed when
the House adjourned until Monday.
TOLD IN A FEW LINES.
The Grand Duke Constantine of Rus