The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-02-19
CONGRESS
Resume Of the Weeks
PROCEEDINGS.
Proceedings.

|
Washing. N, Feb. S.-A poll Of both
branches Of congress shows an almost
undivided sentiment in favor OF i'm
mediate statehood for the Territories
of New Mexico and Arizona.
OF the ninety-two senators sixty
seven express themselves as DESTROYS,
Of voting for the separate statehood,
bill. Three are against, seven are nom
committal. and the poll being made,
| during the end OF the week, fifteen
| members were found absent from.
their seats and committee rooms.
In the house. ont Of aas members.
249 are on record as favoring the ad.
mission Of both.
The small number OF four are con.
fessedly against admission. Forty-one
are noncommittal. and ninety-four
members could not be seen.
Thus two new stars would be added
to the flag OF this nation before March
g. were Senators Beveridge and Aid
, rich converted. These two men. and
these almost alone. leaders as they
are. stand in the way OF Immediate
statehood for the territories.
On Monday. the 18th, the house of
representatives will pass the bill Rep
resentative Hamilton. chairman Of the
committee on territories. said SO last
night Speaker Cannon will in.erpose
no objection. Neither will his aides.
The bill will go through the house un.
der suspension of the rules and with
enthusiasm.
Washington. Feb. 8. - After a very
brief legislative session yesterday the
senate closed its doors and devoted
the day to further consideration OF
the nomination Of William d. Crum to
| be collector Of customs for tho port
of Charleston. 8. c.
Yesterday in the house OF repre-,
sentatives practically the entire ses.
sion was given over to the considera-
ton OF bills pertaining to tie District
OF Columbia.
A message from the president was
read recommending a law requiring
ocean going vessels to be equipped
with wireless telegraph apparatus.
Washington, Feb. 10. - The senate
yesterday became involved In a dis
cussion OF the type of canal that
should be constructed at Panama.
Senators Foraker and Teller both
Joined Mr.. Kittredge, chairman OF the
committee on interoceanic canals, in
declaring the belief that sea level
canal should be constructed. and Mr.,
Kittredge said 1t was not too late to
abandon the lock project.
For nearly six hours the house OF
representatives yesterday discussed
the bill materially changing the meth
DDS Of administering the Panama ca
nal zone and constructing the canal.
Amendments almost without number
were aimed at the measure, but with
one or two exceptions they failed Of
adoption.
Washington, Feb. 11.-With simple
but impressive ceremonies the count
ing of the electoral vote for president
and vice president occurred yesterday
at joint session of the senate and
house OF representatives, held In the
chamber Of the lower body.
William II. Taft of Ohio and James
s. Sherman OF New York were on
cially declared to be the choice Of
the people for the term Of four years.
beginning March next. The count
consumed exactly forty minutes.
AT the very outset Vice President
Fairbanks. who presided, was called
upon to admonish the senators and
members that applause would not be
permitted. This admonition followed
Democratic manifestations over the
mention of William J. Bryan In con-
nection with the vote of Alabama, the
first state called. The Taft adherents,
nevertheless. disregarded the admoni. |
ton and literally applauded the first
mention OF his name when the Cali. |
fornia vote was announced. /
Taft and Sherman received 32l
electoral votes. as against 1862 for Bry.
an and Kern.
Following the refusal Of unanimous
consent for the consideration OF n
resolution appropriating $3.50. 900 for |
Lincoln memorial In Washington
and the passage OF several bills OF
minor Importance. consideration Of
the agricultural appropriation bill was
resumed.
The postal savings bank bill was
before the senate during most of SEES.
sion yesterday. and Senator Hepburn
OF Idaho spoke In opposition TO II.
But little progress was made.
washington. Feb. IA report waA
made to the senate yesterday from
the committee on appropriations on
the presidents statements concerning
the attitude Of congress toward an
preparations for the snnno.s 81 the
secret service. Senator Hemenvay.
who presented the reDort s6daa th.,