Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-20
WORK OF
CONGRESS

mittee on finance. opened the debate in
the Senate on his bill to provide an emer-
gency currency. In the galleries was
large audience, among others ]. Pierpont
Morgan. Senator Foraker made reply to
the Presidents statement concerning the
use of the appointing power for political
purposes and had letters read showing the
Presidents attitude in one case. Sena-
tor Depew defended the course of the
Secretary of the Treasury in depositing
public funds in New York banks. The
criminal code bill was again considered.
A fiery speech by Mr. Leake of New Jer-
sey, in which he outlined his opposition
TO William ]. Bryan as a candidate for
the presidency. relieved somewhat the
monotony of debate in the House. His
remarks were greeted with Kisses from
the Democratic side of the House The
Indian appropriation bill was amended
so that the commissioner of Indian af-
fairs, before he carries out the policy of
abandoning nonreservation schools, shall
investigate the question fully and report
to the House. Another amendment re-
stored the appropriations for the Indian
schools at Fort Lewis, Colo: Carson
City, New. and Mount Pleasant, Mich
Consideration of the Indian bill was not
concluded when the House adjourned.
-
Debate on the Aldrich currency bill in
the Senate Tuesday was followed with
interest by many bankers in the gall ries.
The discussion was directed chiefly to-
ward the provision for railroad bonds az
a basis for emergency circulation, wide
difference of opinion being developed con-
corning the method that should be adopt
ed in determining the valuation to be
given such bonds as we'll as opposition
to the use of such security under any
terms. The bill was finally read through
and committee amendments incorporated,
it being understood that the entire bill
is to be subject TO amendment hereafter.
Interest in the proceedings of the House
attached to a criticism of the President
by Mr.. Tawney. chairman of the commit
tee on appropriations. for having, as Mr..
Tawney charged. appointed the inland
waterways commission without authority
of law. The debate was on the urgent
deficiency bill and grew out of a Senate
amendment to pay John II. Bankhead,
now Senator from Alabama, for his SER
vices on the commission. The House
refused to accept the amendment. In
vigorous speech Mr.. Harrison of New
York condemned Secretary of State Root
for his manner of handling the negotia-
lions with Russia regarding passports
to Russian Jewish citizens of the United
States, while Mr.. Lowden of Illinois de-
Tended the Secretary. The Indian appro-
priation bill was amended in several i'm
portant particulars. Another of the large
supply measures, the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill, was
reported.
Senator Rayner of Maryland spoke at
length in the Senate Wednesday Oh the
currency bill. The Senate devoted two
hours to considering the criminal code
bill. The tariff question and the Presi-
dents message were the principal themes
OF discussion in the House. In the course
of the concluding debate on the Indian
appropriation bill the proceedings were
enlivened by Messrs. Hamill and Leake
of New Jersey, both Democrats, discuss
ing the virtues and faults of William j.
Bryan. Mr.. Leake reasSerted his charge
that Mr.. Bryan did not represent the
principles for which Democracy stood.
-
The Senate Thursday discussed the law
governing the reserves of national banks,
that subject being brought up by Senator
Rayner. The criminal code bill also was
a subject of discussion, Senator Clay and
others securing the substitution of the old
law instead of the proposed revised sec
lions, which will effectually prevent intoX-
icating liquors being sent through the
mails into dry" States or counties. Cen
eral debate on the legislative appropria-
ton bill was brought to a close in the
House. Several speeches were made on
the issues of the day. the most notable
being by Champ Clark of Missouri. Other
speakers were Rainey. Illinois; Tirrell
Massachusetts; Gillett, Massachusetts,
and Hammond, Indiana. all of whom dis
cussed various phases of the tariff ques-
ton.
The Senate Friday gave attention TO a
speech on the Aldrich currency bill by
Senator Clay of Georgia. Mr.. Clay's
declaration in favor of the issuance of
paper money by the government provoked
a controversy between him and Republi-
can Senators. Senators Lodge and Teller
both gave their views on the policy of
issuing paper money by the government.
At 2 30 D. m. the Senate adjourned until
Monday Oratory in the House gave way
to legislation, with the result that mate
rial progress was made in the executive,
legislative and judicial bill. 1t met with
comparatively smooth sailing until on
points of order by Mr.. Macon of Arkan-
sas the proposed increases in salaries OF
the assistant secretaries of the several de-
partments were stricken out. Mr.. Macon
explained his action b. saying that an APP
bill was not the place for
such legislation. With nearly two-thirds
of the bill disposed of, the House adj
journed.