The Portland daily press., 1900-03-22
CAPE NOME GOLD MINES.
Secretary Root Charged wan selling
Exclusive Privileges.

Washington, March 81. Upon the au-
thority Of the governor Of Alaska, Mr..
Turner Of washington made the stats-
ment In the Senate today that concessions
for goldmining In the bed Of the ssa near
Cape Nome, Alaska, had been granted by
the Secretary Of WAR and upon thai
statement he based q resolution Of In
quiTy.
Senator Turner said n suoh grant had
been made it was "a shane, rsproach
and q scandal"
Tie resolution was agreed to. In few
minutes and without discussion, the ad-
ditional urgent detioisnoy bill was passed
with one or two other measures OF Inn
portanoe Mr.. Allison gave notice that
be would call up tomorrow the conference
report on the Porto Hioan appropriation
bill.
Soon after the Ssnsts convened today
Mr.. Turner OF Washington, offered reso-
luton directing the secretary OF war to
inform the Senate whether any oonces-
sions to exoavate the gold bearing bed
Of the sea In the vlciuity Of Cape Nome.
Alaska, or in other Alaskan waters have
been made py any individual or corpora
tion or association by the secretary Of war
or any other war department officials,
and II 90, upon what authority such
grnnt was made.
In response to an inquiry as TO infor-
nation that prompted the resolution, Mr..
Turner said he had been Informed by
the governor Of Alaska, who was now in
the city. that the war de partment had
granted exclusive right TO certain persons
to mine the ted OF the ocean near Cape
Nome. "The secretary OF war;" said Mr..
Turner, "has jurisdiction over the navi-
gable waters In the rivers and harbors OF
the United States. and at various times
has given to private indiv idusls authori
ty to excavate the base OF surfaos waters
for proper purposes Now II this authority
has been stretched to cover such oonoes-
sion as that mentioned In the resolution,
1t is q shAme,a reprosoh and scandal. Ny
resolution, / may say, is for the purpose
Of elioiting such Information as the sec
retary of war may have"
MIR. Woloott said that in view Of the ex-
traordinary statement OF Mr. Turner, he
thought the secretary Of war should be
anxious to answer any proper inquiry
touching it. II such n concession had
law.
MIR. Carter said 1t certainly could not
be In contemplation Of the score tary of
war 60 give mining leases without u ssm-
hlanoe of law. Isl think the resolution
should be adopted" said Mr. Carter. and
I'm satisfied tie response will show the
fecretary has not Arrogated to himself
such power"
The resolution was referred.
Mr.. Pettigrew offered and secured the
passage of o resolution directing the SEQ
retAry of war to inform the senate what
were the qualifications Of voters In the
approaching election In Cuba, who pre-
scribed the qualifications. this purpose Of
the election and who would have charge
of 1t.
MIR. Hale called up the measure making
appropriations to supply additional
urgent deticie noies. The oommittes
amendments were agreed to aud the bill
was passed without oommen t. Mr.. Car
ter called mp his motion to recon slider
the vote by which the Senate yesterday
adopted q resolution providing o messen-
ger to every senator, not q chairman OF a
standing commitsse. The motion pre-
vailed anu the resolution was referred to
the oommitsee on contingent expenses. 4
A bill to authorlzs the judges of the
district courts OF the United States to ap-
point stenosraphio reporters and dster-
mine the duties and compensation Of Euoh
reporters, was passed. The bill provides
for the appointment OF 80 court reporters
In the United States at salary OF s., 900
each.
The bill to provide a civil code for the
district of Alaska, was taken up for oon-
Elderation. The committee amendments
were first agreed TO, after which MIR. Per-
kins of California offered an amendment
providing that the seat of government
shall remain at Sitka until ths necessary
grounds and buildings at Juneau ara
oompieted. The amendment was agreed
TO. The bill was then laid aside for the
day and consideration Of the Porto Rican
bill was resumed. Mir. Foraker In charge
of the measure, offered q numbsr Of formal
amendments relating to the holding of
the courts Of Porto Rico and the phrase
oloey Of the measure.
At $50 p. M, the Senate adjourned.