The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-02-06

What Congressman and senator's are
Saying ard Doing.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 30.-Two
subjects have occupied public at
tention in Washington the past week
more prominently than anything else.
The first in Importance was the debate
in the Senate over the bill presented by
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, amend
ing the Incorporation act Of the Nicara-
qua Canal.
The new bill, after providing the
modus operandi of how to build and
run the ship canal, ETC., provides that
the Government of the United States
shall guarantee 800, 600, 900 of canal
bonds, drawing per cent interest,
and due in thirty years, with the OPP
ton in the Government of paying SOON
er. Senator Morgan made very able
speech in favor of the bill, and Sena-
tor Turpie occupied the business hours
OF the Senate under the regular order
for the balance of the week in speech
against the bill.
According to Senator Morgan the
bill is one of the best ever introduced,
and he rejoiced in the fact that he had
the privilege of voting for it.
Senator Turpie, on the other hand,
should show the bin if passed would
result in another gigantic swindle like
the Pacific Railway deals, Credit Mo-
bilier, etc. That he has much argument
on his side, anyone will readily under
stand by reading his speech.
The other cause of excitement in leg
islative circles has been fight between
two electric light companies in this
city. The old company has in every
way tried to prevent its rival from OBJ
tanning foothold, both before
the District Commissioners and in the
courts. The decisions have all been in
favor of the new company, and they
commenced to lay their mains in the
streets. This called for desperate ae-
tion, and the old company went before
the District Committee of the Senate
and made such showing as induced
majority of that committee TO bring
ia joint resolution prohibiting the
new company from working. The new
company, in the meantime, hired sew
eral thousand negroes to go TO work
digging up the streets.
Mr.. Cockerel, of Missouri, as chair
man Of the District Committee, pre-
sented the joint resolution and asked
that it might pass. Senator Hill, of
New York, threw himself into the
breach, ON behalf of the new company,
and occupied nearly all of the morning
two hours during the week while the
negroes pushed the work, and before
the bill will pass the new company will
have is work done.
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
A new measure has been presented In
the House of Representatives in favor
of the Pacific Railroads. 1t provides
for the appointment of commission,
consisting of the Secretary of the
Interior, the Secretary of the Treasury,
and the Attorney General, who shall
have power to settle all matters and
differences as shall seem to them equit-
able.
The bill is not likely to become law.
There are equities in the old defeated
bill which merited serious considera-
tion but in this measure there seems
to be none 1t is claimed the original
$64, 900, 600, which the Government
loaned the roads, with unpaid interest
now amounting TO about $40, 900, 600
more, is now worthless, and these
roads proposed that, in consideration
of an extension of time and reduced
rate Of interest, they would give addi-
tional security on other roads to make
the loan safe, and that they would
commence at once TO pay up.
On the other hand it was claimed
that the proposed security was worth
less, So the matter stands.
Not since the first patent was issued
by the United States have so many pat
ents been granted for one subject as for
the bicycle. Not since its founder,
Thomas Jefferson, summoned to his as
sistance as patent board, Secretary
of War Knox and Attorney General
Randolph, deliberately to pass upon
the first patent, Samuel Hopkins pat
ent Of July 81, 1890, for making pot
and pear ashes" has the Patent Office
bsen so put to it to dispose of the bust
ness before it, relating to inventions
and Improvements in bicycles.
The annual conference of the United
States board of Indian commissioners
with representatives Of the various
missionary and educational societies
engaged in Indian work, was held last