The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-22
BILLS AND COMMITTEES.

WASHINGTON, Dec Ex-senator Sher-
man has introduced a bill in the senate,
which was referred to the foreign relations
committee providing that whenever the
government of the United States shall
conclude an effective agreement for the
protection of fur seals in the North Pacific
ocean, by agreement with any power, or
asa result of the convention concluded
last February between the United States
and Great Britain. and so long as such ar
raugement shall continue, the provisions
nf the laws, so far rs they may be appllca-
bic, relative to the protection OF fur seals
within the limits OF Alaska or its waters,
shall be extended 10 and over that portion
Of the ocean included in such agreement
The bill further provides that whenever
an effective arrangement is concluded the
president shall declare the fact by procla-
nation and designate that portion OF the
Pacific ocean to which it is to be appli-
cable.
The Nicaragua canal bill was today fav-
orably reported by its author, Senator
Sherman, who gave notice thai lie would
call it up at an early date and endeayor to
secure prompt action upon it. The new
hill is drawn on substantially the same
lines as the bill reported to the last con-
cress, including the proposition to guaran-
tee the bonds of the company to the ex-
tent of 500, ,000 600 to aid III the construc-
sion of the canal.
A bill introduced by Delegate Harvey of
Oklahoma provides that whenever IN the
oninion of the secretary OF war the lands
known as the timber reservation in Okla
homa territory are no longer needed for
military purposes they shall be reserved
for the territory, to become available when
the same shall have become state for he
benefit in equal shares OF the following
institutions of learning: The university
ut Norman, the Normal school at Edmond
and the Agricultural college at Saltwater.
Ia the talk among Democratic members
of congress as TO probable recognition of
the border states in the distribution of
leading offices, the name of Hon. Joseph >.
Miller of West Virginia, whose adminis-
tration OF the Office of commissioner of in-
ternal revenue under Mr.. Cleveland, gave
general satisfaction, is again used in con-
uectiOn with that cOmmlSSionership.
Senator CullOm has introduced in the
senate two bills that are intended to
strengthen weak points in the interstate
commerce commission act. The first COM
pes the testimony of witnesses before the
interstate commission The other bill defines
the word ''line" as used in the interstate
commerce law and construes it to mean a
physical line, whether one railroad or two
or more connecting railroads or part of
railroads and part water, when both are
used under common control. The words
"any common carrier" are construed 10
mean one or more than one such carrier,
Rnd each common carrier to any contract
shall be held responsible for rates over
such lines iu which il is interested.
Mr.. Grain of Texas, from the committee
Oh interstate and foreign commerce, re-
ported to the house, with the recommend
aticn that it pass the bill amending the
act of Feb Is, 1891, for the construction of
deep water harbor on the coast OF Texas,
,, as to extend the time for the completion
Of the work five years from Feb. Is, 1893.