The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-22


In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Turner Of
fered a resolution for which be asked i'm
mediate consideradcn directing the Secre-
tary OF war 10 inform the Senate whether
any concessions TO excavale the gold
bearing bed Of the sea in the vicinity OF
care Nome. Alaska or in other Alaskan
waters. have been made 30 any individual
or corporation or association by the Secrc-
tsry Of War or any other War Department
official. and il So upon what theory Of au-
thority such grant was made.
In response TO an enquiry 10y Mr.. Carter
Of Montana as 10 what had prompted
such an enquiry Mr.. Turner said he had
been informed by the Governor Of Alaska,
who is now in the city that the War De
partment has granted TO certain persons
exclusive rights to mining locations in the
bed Of the sea near Cape Nome.
The Secretary OF War" Mr.. Turner
continued. has jurisdiction over the nayi-
gable waters in the rivers and harbors Of
the United States and at various times
has given 20 private individuals authority
10 GACNAdIe lne ltu OF SutN waters AbI
proper purposes. Now il this authority has
been stretched to cover such a concession
as that mentioned in the resolution it is
shame. a reproaCh and a scandal. Ny
resolution. / may say. is for the purpOs9
OF eiiCiring such information as the Sec
ratary Of War may have on the subject"
Mr. Wolcutt Of Colorado said he had no
doubt that the Secretary or War would
be as anxious to answer the enquiry as
the Senator from Washington was to make
it: because the concession would be such
clear violation Of Law that il was utterly
improbable that the Secretary Of War
should have made It,
Mr. Carter added that the Secretary OF
War certainly could not contemplate giving
mining leases without a semblance Of law.
i think" he continued, "that the resolu-
tlon should be adopted as ! am satisfied
that the reply to il viii show that the Sec-
retary has not arrogated TO himself such
power" The resolution was then agreed
to without further discussion
Mr. Pettigrew submitted a resolution,
which was agreed to, directing the SeCre-
tsry Of War TO inform the Senate as TO
the qualifications required Of voters in
Cuba at the coming election. the purpose
of the election. who has charge OF it, and
who prescribes the qualifications OF voters.
Appropriation bill. and after the committee
amendments had been agreed to it was
passed without discussion. Mr.. Carter
called attention 10 the motion made by
him on Tuesday 10 reconsider the vote by
which the Senate. earlier in the same day.
adopted a resolution introduced by Mr.
Sullivan. providing a messenger. az an an
nual salary OF s. 440. for each senator not
a chairman Of a committee. The motion
prevailed and the resolution was referred
TO the Committee on Contingent Expenses
Of the senate. The conference report on
the Porto Ricsn Relief bill was presented
by Nr. Allison and went over until today.
The senate bill TO authorize the judges
Of United States district courts to appoint
steu0grsphic reporters was taken up and
read. Il fixes the compensation Of report
ers at s.. 600 year with 10 cents a folio
FOR extra typewriter manuscripts OF
court proceedings and > cents a folio
for carbon copies. In reply TO en-
quiries Mr.. HOar, who reported the
bill, said 10 would require the appoint
ment OF about ninety stenographers, but
that the compensation would not be all an
increase Of expenditure, as stenOgraphers
we're now employed and paid. their charges
in some cases reaching very large amounts.
In the course OF a discussion OF the bill.
sir Allen criticised the lax practice Of
Federal courts in some di =tIicrs in allow
ing iuries 70 separate during the tria'
cases. civil or criminal. He ~-1..el how
ever. that his l-a UGthinE 90 do
~i-' -4t per ling subject The hlI was
then passed
The BIN t5 provide @ code for The dis-
-rict q Alaska Was takll up and the for
mai aalcndmeu = rs reported bF the rorn-
mittee el Territories were about tl be
"a on when The absence Of a quorum
vas suggested b. Mr. Pate The roll was
called ant fort 1--we Senators-oue more
ghan Quorum answered
After al the o0mmltlee amendments
we're agreed ll al amendment was offered
b. AR. Perkins providing that the seat Of
government shall remain at Sitka until
the necessary grounds and buildings at
juneau are obtained. After a short discus
sion the amendment was agreed to
The bill went over and the bill 20 pro-
vide revenues for Porto Rico was taken Up.
Mr. Foraker. iu charge Of the measure.
offered a number OF formal amendments.
which were agreed TO. relating TO the hold
1ug Of the courts OF Porto Rico and to the
phraseology OF the measure.
A conference was ordered on the Legis-
lative Appropriation bill. and Senators
Cullen Sewell and Teller were appointed
couferees on the part OF the Senate
Mr. Fairbanks gave notice that next
Saturday be would ask the Senate 10 con-
slider resolution accepting a statue OF
Oliver r, Morton Of Indiana
At p. m. in compliance with an ar
rangement made on Tuesday the Senate
went into executive session. and at SIS
affaffrue-i rfrfffT fudav