The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-01-28
WORK OF
CONGRESS



-oo.o~~~.~-~~.~-~
/ The Brownsville affair was again be-
fore the Senate Wednesday, Senator
Frazier of Tennessee speaking in OBJ
position TO the passage of the measure
for the reinlistment of the discharged
soldiers of the Twenty-fifth Regiment.
He insisted that the guilt of some men
of the regiment lad been established
beyond any doubt, although the indi-
viduals who had committed the crime
had not been determined Mr.. For
aker announced that he would move
the next Monday to take up his bill
to reinstate the soldiers unless an
agreement on a time TO vote for the
measure is made sooner. The legis-
lative. executive and judicial appropri-
alton bill was under consideration also.
After adopting without opposition a
resolution by which Governor George
f. Lilley of Connecticut ceases to be
member of Congress. the House of
Representatives proceeded with the
naval appropriation bill There were
few amendments offered to the meas
ure. the items under consideration be-
ing those of maintenance and improve
ments to navy yards, stations and other
public works of the navy. Represent
ative Foss Of Illinois, chairman of the
naval affairs committee, had charge Of
the bill ON the floor.
/ -
4 debate on the propriety of increas-
ing salaries of federal circuit and dis
trict judges consumed nearly the en-
tire time of the Senate Thursday, with
the result that the compensation Of
the twenty-nine circuit judges was in
creased from $1,000 10 $4,000. and that
of the eighty-four district judges from
$4,000 to $4,000. Senator Borah. who
had offered amendments reducing the
Increases of salary recommended by
the committee on appropriations. de-
clared that the action of the Senate
In increasing the salary of the Presi-
dent to 100000 was in violation Of
the spirit of the constitution and would
never have been taken before or dur
ing the recent political campaign Sen
ator Tillman insinuased that some fed
eral judges were on the pay rolls OF
corporations. Structures upon the eff
cheney of officers of the navy in the
care of machinery of war vessels were
uttered in the House during the con-
sideration CT the naval appropriation
bill. with the result that an amend
ment was adopted requiring the Secre-
tary Of the Navy annually 70 report
to Congress those instances where
more than 100000 is expended for re-
pairs. After futile efforts to obtain
legislation looking to the restoration
of marines aboard ships, an amend
ment was agreed to prohibiting the
purchase of powder manufactured and
sold in violation Of the Sherman anti
trust law. The debate disclosed the
fact that the amendment was directed
at the Dupont company. Amendments
appropriating $4,000 TO double the
governments output of powder, and
for small arms at 81, cents per pound,
were adopted.
-
On Friday I'm the Senate Feb. 10 next
was declared to be a special legal hol-
iday and a survey and plans for a
highway from Washington to Gettys-
burg. to be known as the Lincoln
way as a memorial to Abraham Lin
coin, was provided for by joint reso-
luton passed by the Senate, after an
extended debate. The resolution did
not commit Congress to the construc-
ton of the highway when surveyed.
Final action was also taken on the
legislative. executive and judicial bill,
the Senate refusing by vote of Al to
q to fix at $4,000 the salary of the
President. previously increased by an
amendment to 100000. Exactly as re-
ported by committee the naval pro-
gram for the fiscal year 1909 was
adopted by the House and the naval
appropriation bin was passed. The OPP
ponents of the navy increase feature
of the bill found themselves in a hope
less minority. The only vital altera-
ton made in the measure was the
striking out of the provision restoring
! marines to naval vessels. The aggre-
gate amount appropriated by the bill
is $l35.O00OO0.
The Senate was not In session Sat
urday. a large number OF pension bills
were passed and by the decisive vote
of ~ to 103 the House refused TO in
crease the pension of Julia Il. Coghlan,
widow of the late Rear Admiral Cogh-
Ian. L. s. ", from $50 a month. as rec
commended by the Committee on Pen
sions. to 500. as proposed in an
amendment offered by Representative
0lcott Of New York. Consideration Of
bill to prohibit the Importation Of
opium except for medical purposes was
prevented by Mr.. Payne Of New York
on the ground that such action would
hnduce the national revenue $1,000.000
a month and would not lessen the Use
of the drug. At , o'clock the House
adjourned until Sunday when memo
rial services were held for the late