The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-12-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.

practically without discussion, lalu on
the table the Pettigrew resolution OF
inquiry as to whether or not the United
States forces recognized the Filipino
insurgent flag and had turned over
Spanish soldiers to the insurgents.
-Four members of the House We're
born in England, four in Ireland, four
in Germany, two in Scotland, two in
Canada, one in Nova Scotia and one
in Turkey. More members of the
House of Representatives We're born in
New York than in any other state,
forty-four altogether.
Commander f. p. Wood. U. S. N,
died of typhoid fever at his residence
here Monday. He was in command of
the gunboat Petrol at the battle of
Manila bay. Since his return to the
United States his health has been bro
ken and he has lacked the power TO
throw off the disease which caused his
death.
The Senate has confirmed the fol
lowing recess appointments of census
supervisors: Colorado, First division,
Frank S. Tesch Denver; Second dis
trict, William II. Brisbane, Leadyille.
Idaho, William Ii. Savidge, Boise.
Wyoming, Charles w. Riner, Chey-
enne. New Mexico, Pedro Sanchez,
Santa Fe.
Representative Lentz of Ohio has IN
troduced II joint resolution reciting the
charges growing out of the presence of
United States troops under Brigadier
General Merriam at the centers of MN
ing troubles in Idaho, and asking for
an investigation by special committee
of nine members to be appointed by
the Speaker.
The Populists and silver men in the
Senate are telegraphing ex-senator Al
len Of Nebraska to accept the appoint
ment of United States senator to I'LL
the vacancy caused by the death OF
Mr.. Hayward, if the governor offers 1t
to him. They say they need him here
this session, while the new currency
bill is under consideration.
Representative Tawney of Minneso-
tn has been selected as the whip on the
Republican side of the House. His
business will be to arrange pairs, to
see that his Republican colleagues are
on hand when they are wanted, and
take general oversight of Legislation.
1t is a position that carries n great deal
of labor and anxiety, as well as honor
and glory.
The Department of Agriculture will
begin its distribution of seeds n little
earlier this year than last, shipping
them south the beginning of January,
and perhaps sending few shortly be-
fore the first. This year the seeds for
distribution to all parts of the country
will consist of 13.OOO,O0O packets of
vegetable seeds, 1,5SS,OOO of flower
seeds, besides field and lawn grass
seeds.
1t is stated that the Danish govern
4, =. 10. call
the Danish West indies to the United
States. L MT prUpvSItiou was iaiu u,
fore the State Department by repre-
sentative of the Danish government.
anu the matter is now under considcra-
tion. The American embassy in Lon
don is assisting in the negotiations.
The price asked for the islands is S3,-
OOO,OOO.
The Populist party of the present
Congress has a smaller representation
than at any time in ten years, but It
makes up in ability and energy what it
lacks in numbers. Judge John G. Hell
of Colorado, now beginning his fourth
term in the House. is the leader of the
party and the chairman of its caucus.
He was also again the candidate of the
party for the speakership, an honor for
which he was twice before selected.
The House Saturday adopted spe-
cial order for the consideration of the
currency bill. beginning Monday. The
general debate will continue until Fri
day, op Saturday amendments may be
offered under the five-minute rule, and
on the following Monday the vote will
be taken. The Democrats, Populists
and Silyerites presented n solid front
against the adoption of the resolution,
and every Republican voted for it.
The precedent in the Roberts case is
expected to be followed when General
Wheeler returns from the Philippines
and presents himself at the bar of the
House to take the oath of office. Rep
resentative Bailey of Texas, who dur
ing last session was the leader of the
Democratic minority, intends to object
to General Wheeler on the constitution
al ground that by accepting n commits
sion in the army he vacated his seat in
Congress.
Representative Bailey of Texas Is
ready to protest against General Joe
Wheeler'S admission to Congress
should he return from Manila and pre-.
sent himself to assume his position as
representative from Alabama Mr.
Bailey will contend that Mr.. Wheeler
cannot hold two positions-major gen
eral of volunteers and member of Con-
gress-at the same time Mr.. Bailey
has made a canvass on the Democratic
side and received promises of support
from nearly 100 members.
An appeal by Mr.. Mason of Illinois
for an expression of sympathy for the
Transvaal republic in its war with
Great Britain was the feature of the
Senate proceedings Monday. 1t was
the first formal address delivered in
the Senate this session, and was list
ened to with thoughtful attention by
both the members and large gallery
of auditors. The resolution upon
which Mr.. Mason based his speech was