Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-07-29
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS.
Bill Granting Right of Way Across the
Umatilla Indian Reservation for
an lrigating Ditch.

Russia has notified the United States
OF her acceptance OF an invitation to
participate in the international none
tary conference. With Russia's accept
ance all the countries OF which were in
vited have sent formal acceptances. The
matter will now be laid before Congress.
Secretary Foster OF the State Depart
ment said the other day that the action
of the Canadian Council in allowing re-
bates on tolls on grain shipped from
American ports on Lake Ontario passing
through the st. Lawrence canals and ex-
ported from Montreal has no particular
bearing on the controversy between the
United States and Canada on the sub
ject OF discriminating canal tolls. He
added that 1t could hardly be regarded
very much OF concession.
Senator Mitchell's bill granting right
OF way across the Umatilla Indian reser-
walton for the Dumont Irrigation and
| improvement Company was reported to
the Senate, and at his request was taken
up and passed Immediately. The bill
preserves full Indian rights, and compels
| the irrigation company to furnish the
| Indians with water for irrigation pur-
poses from the ditch which they propose
TO build. 1t also grants the company
such reservoir sites as may be necessary
on the lands owned by the Indians.
Judge Randall OF the Department OF
Justice, who was specially detailed to
investigate the charges made by Assist
ant Secretary Nettleton against w. d.
Owen, Commissioner OF Immigration,
OF incompetency, characterization and
| tranArot nHt ha hp,t teI hto
port to the Secretary of the Treasury.
While the report confirms several OF the
specifications on which the charges were
based, 1t acquts Owen of all the serious
charges. The report will not be made
public until after copies have been fur
nished Nettleton and Owen.
The present situation OF the free-coin-
age bill indicates that it is probably de-
feated so far as this session OF Congress
is concerned. If 1t is amended and goes
back to the Senate, it will be talked to
death, and the probability is that it can
not now be passed unless it is amended
Some OF the anti-silver men think it will
be passed anyway, but they think the
c!oture rule will be necessary to secure
it. The fact that the Republicans of the
committee prepared and submitted a
minority report gives the silver men
| hope OF having their support all the way
| through, and the management Of the
anti-free silver fight has practically been
turned over to the Republican leaders.
By treaty with Samoa the United
States acquired the right to establish a
station for coal and other naval supplies
| for her naval and commercial marine,
| and Attorney-General Miller has given
an opinion that the right conveyed by
the treaty undoubtedly includes the
right to make the provision relating to n
coaling station operative by the purchase
or transfer OF land from native or other
Samoan owners to this government.
Legal steps toward the purchase have
been taken, and the establishments OF the
first regularly and fully acquired coaling
station on foreign soil is assured. As
there is ample appropriation, it is rea.
sonable to suppose that within a year
the United States will possess a credit
able coaling station on the Pacific Coast
fully and honorab'y acquired.
The United States marine hospital
service at San Francisco will be directed
by the Secretary OF the Treasury to care
fully inspect all vessels arriving at San
Francisco from Victoria, B. c., and YES
sells from Northern ports having on board
passengers or merchandise from Victoria
to prevent the introduction of smallpox
into San Francisco. The Secretary OF
the Treasury has received telegram
from Assistant Surgeon Magruder at
Port Townsend, stating that smallpox is
epidemic at Victoria, and that many
cases are now under treatment. Owing
to the close proximity of Tacoma. Seat
tie and Port Townsend to Victoria and
the continual traffic between these places.
the Treasury Department is alarmed for
fear the disease may spread, and strin-
gent measures are to be at once adopted
to prevent 1t.