February 8.—The electoral vote is canvassed by a joint session of the House and Senate, and the result is declared as 336 for Roosevelt and Fairbanks, to 140 for Parker and Davis.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs disregards the wishes of the President and amends the arbitration treaties by striking out in each the word “agreement” and substituting therefor the word “treaty.”
C. W. Post, of the Postal Progress League, asks the Senate to expel Thomas C. Platt, of New York, on the ground that Platt is the President of the United States Express Co., and is not a fair representative of the people on any question involving the interests of that corporation.
February 9.—The Townsend-Esch bill, giving the Interstate Commerce Commission power to fix railroad rates, passes the House by a vote of 326 to 17.
February 10.—The Senate begins the impeachment trial of Judge Charles Swayne, of Florida.
The House Republicans decide to stand by their own Statehood bill, refusing to concur in the Senate amendments.
February 11.—The Senate, by an overwhelming vote, amends the arbitration treaties, thus virtually breaking with the President. It insists that all treaties must be ratified by the Senate.
Testimony was introduced in the Swayne impeachment trial to show that the defendant had falsely certified his expenses.
February 13.—Representative John A. Sullivan, of Massachusetts, makes a sensational attack on Representative William R. Hearst, of New York, and Mr. Hearst in reply shows that Sullivan was once indicted for murder in Massachusetts.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, introduces a resolution calling for the facts relative to the United States seizing custom houses in Santo Domingo.