The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-05
ALASKA BILL PASSED
Extends Homestead Laws and
Provides Right of Way.
THE FISHERIES QUESTION
1t Is Believed That the Hoary Old Con-
troversy Is on q Fair Way to Set
tlement-Valuable Concessions
Made to Canada.

/ Washington, March AFTER a de.
bate lasting several days the senate late
this afternoon passed the bill extending
the homestead law and providing for
/ rfght-of-way for railroads in the dis.
trict of Alaska. Comparatively little
discussion of general interest was Gre
ated by the bill. Section 13. providing
| for certain bonding concessions to Can
ada in lieu of privileges to be extended
| by the Dominion government to this
| country, however, induced a rather live
| ~ debate. as 1t brought into the con-
| troVeIsy the old fisheries question on the
New England coast which has been
| pending between the United States and
Great Britain for hundred years The
statement was made on the floor of the
senate that there was every reason TO
believe that by the passage of the bill
the fisheries question could be settled
without great effort as assurances to
that effect had been received from a
large and influential element in Canada.
resolution was passed by the senate
to-day authorizing the printing of Is. 900
copies of pamphlet by Commodore
George w. Melville on the commercial.
military and strategic advantages to the
United States of the Nicaraguan canal
and of the Hawaiian islands.
An arrangement was made to vote on
the Alaskan homestead and right-of-
way bill at O'Clock to-day The Alaska
bill was then laid before the senate. an
amendment by Mr.. Rawlins of Utah to
section z being under consideration Mr.
carter of Montana. in charge of the bill.
moved TO lay the amendment on the
table. The motion prevailed, 3i-37.
The reading of the bill was then re-
sumed. Mr.. Sewell of New Jersey offer
ed the following proviso to section 3
which was adopted: That where the
space for the construction of raiIroaD
is limited. the United States district
court shall require the road first CON
structed TO allow any railway or tram
way to pass over its track or tracks
through such canyon, pass or deffle. on
such equitable basis as the said court
may prescribe, and all shippers shall be
entitled to equal accommodation as to
the movement of their freight and with
out discrimination in favor of any per
son or corporation.
The last paragraph of section 6. re-
serving the right to the government
TO purchase or take by proceedings of
condemnation any@ railroad, tramway
or wagon road at IT'S actual cash value
being in line of government ownership
OF railroads. was stricken out by an
aye and nay vote of As to T. The seven
votes cast in favor of the paragraph
being by Messrs. Allen of Nebraska |
Butler of North Carolina. Harris of
Kansas. Heitfeld of Idaho, Nelson OF
Minnesota. Teller of Colorado, and Tur- /
ner of Washington.
The reading and amending of the bill. /
while long and tedious, was accom-
phshed without particularly important
debate until section 13 was reached /
lhis provides for the extension TO Can
ada OF the bonding privileges on Alas
kan trade with Canada at the port of
Wrangel, in Alaska. on condition that
E@i2
country by the Dominion government.
lmong them being the right of our
lshermen to enter Canadian ports for
olies.
Mr.. Turner Of Washington moved to
'1rike out that part Of the section
which related to the entering of Ga
ladian ports by American fishermen
ie did not. he said. make the motion
because he was hostile to the New Eng
and fisheries. but because he deemed
unfair TO burden this measure with
demand upon the Dominion govern
nent that II yield contention 1t has
made for 100 years
Mr., Hale of Maine inquired if Mr..
surner did not think Ii would be of
uVantage to the United States TO OBJ
ain the fisheries concession from can
da.
Mr.. Turner replied that Ii would be
advantage II we could obtain it, but
I'd not believe II could be obtained.
Mr.. Hansbrough of North Dakota
aid that the committee on public lands
ias IN possession of information that
'anada would accept the conditions ]
imposed by the section. He was firmly /
the opinion that the Dominion gov {
would yield on the fisheries I
uestlon IN view OF the concessions /
1ade to it by the bill.
Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts expressed !
he hope that Mr.. Turner would NOT !
lslst upon his motion. The fisheries :
uestion was not a local one to New !
ngland. but national question. a
uestlon too particularly applicable to !
1e people of the Northwest. where the !,
sheries interest was annually beeom- !.
lg greater. lie felt that the fisheries !,
roDiem was one of immense interest
, the people of the Northwest and
lght not 10 be stricken from the :
easure. I
In supporting and supplementing 9
nat Mr.. Hoar had said. Mr. FRYE of E
aine said that the pending bin was of e
itiohal Importance. Though there was y
sNer a better opportunity to secure "
ncessions from the Canadian govern Q
ent than at the present time when the n
Ahaaians wanted something from the
nited States. he did not think the u
oton ought 10 prevail. because we n
we long been giving Canada much Il
I'd receiving little IN return Mr. FRYE / n
neKed that If il We're not for the can Is
BUSINESS OF Canada there would NOT be =
e slightest trouble between this conn :.
and Great Britain. Mr.. Wilson sun y
rted the contention OF Mr.. Turner.
"a thought il the height of absurdity -
tack the fisheries question 10 a bill -
oYiding for the announcement of a.
llroad construction in Alaska. n
Mr. Carter agreed with Messrs. Hoar al
d Frye that the fisheries question. 80
+ as ii was considered in this hi1f was al
national importance. The fisheries 70
lnstry in Alaska and the Northwest ds
" reached 81. COO 900 annually and e
IS growing in Importance every year. 81
neefning the mineral resources of Isl
aska, MIR. Carter said he was salts
q, not from government reports
me, but from the best authority n
country, that the output of gold ~
.GLa IN ~ L.......