The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-02-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Territorial Topics as They Come to the
Surface at Washington.
Srac;o1 RI +ha Ardr.oras4a

i
Washington, Feb. 6.-The Sem
ate has at last disposed of the
Paris treaty of peace end is now
busily engaged in considering the
annual appropriation bills. The
Indian appropriation bill is under
consideration by the Senate, hav-
iEg passed the House, and will
probably be disposed of this week.
No important amendments will be
made to the bill aside from those
outlined heretofore in these letters.
At the House end of the capitol
the army reorganization bill has
been disposed of and the work on
the annual appropriation bills at
that end of the capitol is rapidly
progressing. The army reorgani-
zation bill passed by the House
provides for the enlistment of 100,-
600 men in the regular army and
the appointment of nearly 1000
officers, together with a large num-
ber of non commissioned officers.
But the ambitious youths of the
country who are anxious to serve
the government and the country in
the regular army are offered but
little opportunity to do so under
the bill as it passed the House. All
appointments to positions of the
rank of captain and above that
rank are made from West Point
graduates and the promotion of
those officers who are already in
the regular army, so that the ap-
pointment of civilians will be to
the positions of first and second
lieutenants only.
~
The committee on Indian affairs
of the House has favorably report
ed Representative Curtis bill to
enforce in the Indian Territory
certain provisions of the laws of
Arkansas relating to corporations.
~
The Senate has passed the bill
granting the right of way through
Indian reservations to the Choc-
taw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad
company. The bill provides that
the powers heretofore conferred
upon the Choctaw, Oklahoma and
Gulf Railroad company by any
acts of Congress shall be constru.
| ed as to authorize the construction
and operation of the railroad anG
branches thereby authorized
through and over Indian reserva
tions, subject to the compensation
provided for in said acts as tt
lands in the Indian Territory.
~.
Representative Curtis has alst
introduced a bill in the Hous,
which has been favorably reported
to provide for the acquiring o
rights of way by railroads through
Indian reservations, Indian lands
Indian allotments, and for othe
purposes. The bill is a length,
one and confers the right upol
any railroad to construct lines o
road over Indian reservation in ac
cordance with the act granting t,
railroads the right of way through
the lands of the United States. ]
authorizes the Secretary of the In
terror to make all needful rule
and regulations, not inconsisten
with the bill, for the purpose o
execution and carrying into effec
of all the provisions of the act.
~
Senator Baker has introduced
bill in the Senate, changing th
place for holding the United State
court in the Central district of th
:. Indian Territory from Cameron
: Potean. The bill is amended b
k striking out the word Cameron
and substituting IN lieu thereof th
word Poteau." so that the sal
portion of said portion of said a,
when amended shall read and
as follows: THE Central distrie
In a-a:.A oa III Ahn GLoa4a,