Gilpin observer., 1900-04-05
WASHINGTON NEWS.
what Congress 10 Doing.-Notes From the
White House and the departments.

Lentz with being liar and Chairman
Hull was scored by Mr.. Lentz. There
was much talk about fighting, but the
incident passed without resort to
violence.
The postoftice appropriation bill has
been finally agreed upon by the House
committee II postotfices and post roads.
1t carries total of about $115.0OO,OOO
The economic postage bill was also ia
vorably acted upon. The bill author
izes the use of Il device by which postal
cards are paid for only in case of use,
and it is designed to facilitate CONNER
cial transactions.
The other day the wife of Il senator
who thinks she is n linguist. but whose
friends have doubts. started Il conver-
sation With Herr Won Holleben, the
German ambassador, in his native
tongue. He listened patiently for a
few moments. and then gallantly re
marked: Madam, you will do me II
great favor if you will speak English.
| do not understand German very
WELL" Mrs Senator looked surprised,
but took the hint.
one hundred ladies of this city have
subscribed SO each to purchase II SOU
venir to be presented to Lady Paunce-
fote. wife of the British ambassador.
Although Lord Pauncefote's term of
service expired two years ago, 1t has.
been extended by command of the
Queen because of his great usefulness.
but this is probably his last season in
Washington. and Lady Pauncefote's
friends in this city have selected Il dia-
mond sunburst costing $1,000 which
they will hand her before she leaves in
the spring. to remind her of their re
gard and affection.
CONSERVATION has been caused by
the discovery that Charles Il. Mngoon.
law officer of the division of insular
affairs, upon whose opinion the secre-
tary of war and the opponents of free
trade with Puerto Rico have been rely
ing for arguments. had previously writ
ter another opinion. in which he main
tained position exactly contrary to
that assumed in the second document.
His first opinion declared the constitu-
tion was extended to Puerto Rico when
the peace convention was ratified. His
latest production insists that Puerto
Rico is not part of the United States.
Representative Bell has introduced Il
bill which provides that goods manu-
factured by convict labor and trans
ported into any state for Use or sale
shall he subject to the laws of such
state enacted in exercise of its police
powers. to the same extent as though
such goods were produced in such state.
This masure. if adopted. Mr.. Bell says.
will aid materially in preventing the
manufacture of goods by convict labor,
as it will enable many states prohibit
ing such manufacture within their own
boundaries. uo also prohibit the sale of
convict made goods manufactured In
other states.
No disposition is manifested in the
Senate to disturb the war revenue tax
es during the present session of Con
gress. Republican members of the
Senate committee on finance agree that
the session is too far advanced to JUS
try any effort in that direction at pres
ent. Some of them say there is no
menace in the present surplus of reve-
nue., and they generally agree that as
circumstances would not permit the
removal of the entire tax. 1t would be
complicated work to make an equita-
BILE adjustment. They say tnis work
must be undertaken mt the beginning
of Il session, when undertaken mt all.
A direct vote was taken by the Sen
ate Thursday on the proposition 10
strike from the Puerto Rico measure
the provision levying fifteen per cent.
of the Dingley law duties on Puerto
Rico products. The proposition was
defeated by n vote of 16 to G6. While
the vote is regarded as presaging the
passage of the pending measure. 1t is
not regarded as indicating the final
vote on the bill. The feature of the
debate was the speech of Mr.. Bever-
dge. While he advocated reciprocity
between the United States and Puerto
Rico. he announced that If all efforts
10 secure free trade should fail. he
would support the pending bill. The
bill was under discussion throughout
| the session, several important amend
monts being agreed to.
General solicitor Henderson of the
Burlington system stated to-day that,
in all probability, the secretary of the
| interior will send n special agent of the
government in few days to treat with
the Grow and Cheyenne Indians rela-
| tive to the amount to be paid for their
| tribal lands through. which the new
| Burlington line will pass to reach the
| Big Horn basin region of Wyoming.
| The route of the new line is from To
| luca. Montana, II station in the Crow
reservation near Billings. Southwestern
| ly for II distance of $50 miles to the
center of the Big Horn basin. The re
gion which will he opened by the new
line Is one of the richest in natural re-
sources in Wyoming, and General Man
| dcrson states that with railway facili-
ties 1t viii soon become as prosperous
~ any part of the West.
II Is stated thai Webster Davis of
Kansas City viii at once tender his
resignation TO the President ms assist
ant secretary of the interior. Mr.. Davis
decided to take this course as the re
suit Of his visit to South Africa. He
has decided TO deliver public ad-
dress. touching the entire scope of the
prcscu; war. and believes that he can
best 10 50 while free from any re-
strnlnt which his present position
would impose upon him. Wren taking
his departure FOR home from Pretoria