Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-02-24
DOENGS OF CONGRESS
Summary of Important Proceedings
Enacted From Day to Day.

Su1nAusAy VI 1lupUI tduI IlOCteulllBs
Enacted From Day to Day.
The Senate devoted most of Mon
day to the consideration Of the naval
appropriation bill and there was
much discussion concerning the
growth of government expenditures
for military purposes. Mr.. Hale de-
clared that unless halt is called il
would be necessary for Congress to
issue bonds or to increase taxation.
Senator LaFollette and Dixon cri-
ticised navel methods especially in
the use of public funds for construc-
ton at navy yards. Senator Hale
warned the Ssuate that unless more
rapid progress should be made, night
sessions would soon become neces-
sary.
So far as Congress is concerned,
the contitutional bar to the accept
ance by Senator Knox. Of the State
portfolio in the Taft Cabinet, was re-
moved Monday when the House of
Representatives passed the bill redIc-
ing the salary of the Secretary of
State. The bill at first was defeated
through the failure Of two-thirds Of
the members to vote for it, but it was
brought up a second time under a
special rule and passed by major
ity vote.
Without dissenting voice the bill
granting separate Statehood to Arr
zona and New Mexico also was pass
ed, as was also the bill providing for
uniformity in car equipment with
safety appliances.
Mr.. Capron, Of Rhode Island, an
nounced the death of his colleague,
Mr.. Granger, and the House adopted
resolutions Of regret. AS further
mark of respect recess was taken
at 5 :39 o'clock p. m. until Tuesday at
II a. m.
The naval appropriation bill was
under consideration in the Senate
throughout Tuesday. An amendment
was adopted which will have the eff
feet, if it is accepted by the House,
Of restoring the marine corps on
board all battlcships and armored
cruisers in accordance with the prac-
tice Of the navy prior to the Presi-
dent order removing them from the
ships.
An extended criticism was made by
Senator Dixon, of Montana, of the
method of having a large number of
navy yards along the Atlantic coast.
He took the ground that the work
could be more economically done in a
smaller number of places.
After being in session for five
hours the Senate took a recess until
3 o'clock p. m, when the considera-
tion of the naval bill was resumed.
AT the evening session the bill was
further considered in committee OF
the whole. An amendment was ADOPT
ed directing that in the discretion Of
the President half of the entire naval
feet should be kept on the Pacific
coast. The bill was reported to the
Senate. Mr.. Lodge reserving for
further consideration amendments re-
lating to the marine corps being kept
on board naval vessels and providing
for a reduction in the SIZE of battle
ships authorized by the act. Senator.
LEI GILLETTE offered an endnient for:
the appointment Of a commission to;
consider what navy yards and naval
stations should be retained as naval
bases and which should be dispened
with.
Being still the legislative day OF
Monday, the House of Representa-
tives Tuesday for the most part de-
voted itself to the consideration Of
bills under suspension of the rules.
A number were passed, among them
being those requiring the equipment
of ocean-going vessels with wireless
and providing for the re-
organization and enlistment Of the
naval academy band.
The Indian appropriation bill,
carrying 1,571, 900 was passed.
The navy bill carrying total ap-
Of about $136,0O0.O00
was Wednesday passed by the SEN
ate after having been under consid-
Grafton for three days. The bill was
changed by the restoration of the
House provision for two battleships
of $4,000 tons displacement to cost
each.
An Intellectual effort was made to
defeat the amendment for the re-
storation of the marine corps to bat
tieships and cruisers of the navy,
which was placed in the measure
while the Senate was proceeding IN
the committee of the whole.
During the last hours of the ses-
sion Senator LaFollette severely
criticised the methods of the navy,
declaring that senatorial influence in
the work of the department caused
an unbusinesslike development Of
navy yards and stations.
An attempt to abolish capital pun
isbment as a penalty under Federal