Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-22
56,h CONGRESS
Continued from page ID


reproach and a scandal The reso-
luton was agreed to. In q rev MIN
utes and without discussion, the addl-
tional urgent deficiency bill was pass
ed with one or two other measures OF
importance Mr.. Allison gave notice
that he would, tomorrow. call up the
conference report on the Puerto Itican
appropriation bill.
In the executive session of the SEN
ate, two efforts to amend the treaty
between the United States ana Great
Britain relative to the disposition Of
estates were defeated by a very de-
cisive vote. one of the amendments
offered was to strike out section five
of the agreement extending the same
privilege to each of the two nations
in the matter of acquiring or holding
property that may be extended to any
other nation. The motion to amend
was lost Il to 80. The other proposed
amendment related to the striking out
of the provision authorizing the Queen
Of Great Britain Of the President OF
the United States to extend the pro-
visions of the treaty to the dependent
cies of the two countries. TINS aiSo
was lost on a vote of about the same
proportions as the other.
The principal speeches in support OF
the amendments and in opposition 20
the spirit of the treaty were made by
Senators Jones of Arkansas, Turner,
Pettigrew and Sullivan. They We're re
piled to by the Republican members
of the committee on foreign relations.
The debate was entirely legal in ITS
scope The treaty will be taken up
again, tomorrow.
Soon after the Senate convened,
Turner, Wash, offered Il resolution
directing the secretary of war to IN
form the Senate Wheather any conceS-
sions to excavate the gold bearing bed
of the sea in the vicinity of cape
Nome Alaska, or in other Alaskan
waters had been made by any individ-
ual or corporation or association by the
secretary of war or any other war de
partment officials. and if so. upon what
authority such grant was made.
In response to an inquiry as to in
formation which had prompted the
resolution, Turner said he had been in
formed by the governor of Alaska, who
was now in the city, that the war de-
partment had granted exclusive rights
to certain persons to mine the bed of
the ocean near Cape Nome.
The secretary Of war" said Turner,
has jurisdiction over the navigable
waters in the rivers and harbors of the
United States and at various times has
given to private individuals authority
to eXcavate the bed Of such waters for
proper purposes. Now. if this author
ity had been stretched to cover such
concession as that mentioned in the
resolution, it is a shame. rcproach
and a scandal. My resolution, | may
say, is for the purpose of elicitinS such
information as the secretary Of war
may have on the subject"
Wolcott. col, said that in view Of
the extraordinary statement of Turner
he thought the secretary Of war should
be anxious to answer any proper in
quiry touching it. If such a concession
had been granted it was clearly a vio-
Iltion of law.
Carter said it certainly could not be
in contemplation Of the secretary Of
war to give mining leases without a
semblance of law. l think the resolu-
"and I'm satisfied the response will
show the secretary has not arrogated
to himself such power"
The resolution was agreed to.
Pettigrew offered and secured the
passage of a resolution directing the
secretary of war to inform the Senate
what We're the qualifications of voters
in the approaching elections in cuba.
-
purpose of the election and who would
have charge of it.
Hale called up the measure making
appropriations to supply additional
urgent deficiencies. The committee
amendments then We're agreed t. and
the bill was passed without comment.
Carter called up his motion to recon
slider the vote by which the Senate,
yesterday adopted q resolution pro-
viding a messenger to every senator
now chairman Of standing commit
tee. The motion prevailed ana the
resolution was referred to the com
mittee on contingent expenses.
A bill to authorize the judges Of the
district courts of the United States to
appoint stenographic reporters and de
termine the duties and compensation
of such reporters, was passed. The
bill provides for the appointment Of
30 court reporters in the United States
at a salary of $4,000 each.
The bill to provide a civil code for
the district Of Alaska. was then taken
up for consideration. The committee
amendments were first agreed to,
after which Perkins, Cal, offered m
amendment providing that the seat Of
government shall remain at Sitka until
the necessary grounds and buildings al
Juneau are acquired. The amendment
was agreed to. The bill was then laiG
aside for the day ana consideration OF
the Puerto Rican bill resumed.
Foraker. in charge of the measure
offered number Of formal amend
ments relating to the holding Of the
courts of Puerto Rico and the phrase.
ology of the measure.
The bill after some discussion on the
creation Of a United States court or
the island was laid aside.