The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-02
Senator'S from the New States Will
Present q Solid Front
in That Body.
They win Endeavor to Secure Ad-
equate Appropriations for
Their Constituencies
Public Debt Statement for April-An I'm
eventful Day In Both Houses Of
the National Legislature.

WASHINGTON, May !. - l6peClAi.I- 1uo
senators from the three new states had
conference last night and determined to
stand together on several important meas
ures affecting their states. While the sen.
ate was in executive session, Senators
Moody and Pettigrew of South Dakota,
Sanders of Montana, and Squire and Allen
of Washington, got together in corner
and discussed river improvements, mineral
land and forfeitures and irrigation, and
resolved to present united front on these
questions as far as they involved the part
of tho country they represent. There are
several good sized appropriations asked
for importing the Missouri river in South
Dakota and Montana and others for i'm
proving rivers and harbors in Washington,
which we're not given much prominence in
the river and harbor bill. It is likely that
the states interested will make an attempt
to secure additions when the bill gets be-
fore the senate.
II ID likely that the consideration of the
bills admitting Wyoming and Idaho into
the Union will be taken up in day or two
in the senate, though there is strong de-
sire on the part of some to get the silver
discussion out Of the way first. Senator
Platt, of the committee on territories,
however, will make an effort for the pro-
posed new states. It is expected that the
Idaho bill will pass without amendment
and IN that case Delegate Dubois will be
legislated out of Office. The admission of
Idaho presents different situation from
that Of any state recently admitted, as a
constitution has been adopted that the ter
ritory becomes state as soon as the bill
passes. Provision is made for the continu-
ance in Office of the territorial officers until
an election can be held. Delegate Dubois
foresaw complications if an attempt was
made to add an amendment to the original
bill making him the congressional repre-
sentative, and SO while he added an
amendment that county officers should
hold he modestly consented to be legislated
out of Office. He said to-day that he ex-
pected that by the 18th of this month at
the latest. he wonld be private citizen.
The sstestion whether congress could not
by resolution continue him as representa-
tive until an election is being discussed.
It is conceded that such action would be
very desirable for the new state, as there are
many matters in the departments which
would need the attention of some one au-
thorized to act. It is expected that the
Wyoming bill will be amended by a clause
relative to the governments jurisdiction
over the National Park. Delegate Carey is
in the same position as Mr.. Dubois.
Some objections to the bill which the
committee reported favoring the exclusive
right-of-way through a portion Of the Yel-
lowstone park to the Montana Mineral
railway have been received by Montana
representatives from residents of Montana.
There is a sentimental opposition to grant,
ing any right-of-way through the park, and
the opponents of the measure argue that
the purpose is to land passengers in the
park rather than to relieve Cooke City. If
the Montana people succeed in defeating
the bill reported by the committee, it is
thought no bill will be passed that will al
low entrance to Cooke City, as the commit
tee is not disposed to reconsider its action.
At a meeting of the directors of the Mon
tana Mineral railway company, which pro-
poses to build to Cooke City, it is said that
81 ,2OO, 900 of stock was subscribed. Col.
Nav, who has been working here to secure
the right-of-way, produced written agree
ment from eastern capitalists to advance
the cash needed as soon as the exclusive
right-of-way was granted.
Federal Election Bill.
WASHINGTON, May Representative
Ewart. Of North Carolina, yesterday intro
duced in the house, by request, congress
sional election bill. II provides that oon-
gressional elections shall be held in the
manner prescribed in the body of the bill
and under the direction of the state legisla-
ture. Presidential electors may be chosen
at the same election. The district courts are
| required to appoint registrars of election in
| each district. Each ballot 10 to be inclosed
! in an envelope marked with a number to
correspond with the number of the
poll list and be delivered to one of
the board Of poll holders who shall
the election the poll list shall be delivered
| ballots counted and preserved in the origi-
nal envelopes by the board of poll-holders.
During registration the registrar and poll
holders are to have police powers to arrest
without warrant offenders or disorderly per-
sons; the boundaries of congressional dis
trlcts are to remain as they were on the first
Tuesday of November, 1888, notwithstand-
ing any subsequent act of the state legisla-
ture.
Public Debt Statement.
Interest bearing debt
Principal .....................8 J1I,N2O11
Interest t......................... 6,053a2i1