The state herald., 1900-02-16
WASHINGTON NEWS.
What Congress Ia Doing.-Notes From the
White House and the Departments.

Wnlto House and tne departments
The Lawton fund, which amounts to
$9SOO0, has been placed in bank here
subject to Mrs. Lawton's order.
The Colorado State Board of Horti-
culture recently chose successor to
Mrs. Martha A. Shute as secretary.
There Is likely to be contest over the
matter, as Mrs. Shute Is very popular.
The House committee on public lands
has heard Colonel Buffalo" Jones In
favor of bill for a buffalo reservation
in New Mexico. He stated that the
American buffalo was almost extinct,
the entire number the world over being
300 or 400.
Bishop Satterlee of the Episcopal do
cese Of Washington is visiting Philadel-
phia, New York and other eastern cities
for the purpose OF raising funds for the
erection of national cathedral In this
city of dimensions and style of archi-
lecture corresponding to the wealth and
dignity Of this nation.
Judge Barnard of the United States
Court of the District of Columbia has
rendered decision which has caused
n sensation In Congress and is likely
to be the subject of earnest discussion.
He holds that Congress has no power
to fix the rates to be charged by II cor
poration holding public franchise and
using the public thoroughfares. The
case In pOin. is that of the telephone
rates, which Congress cut from $125 to
$50.
The treaty kl,h Great Britain rela-
tive to the building Of the Nicaraguan
canal was rcceivedlby the Senate Mon
day and was readNin executive ses-
sion. Senator DaviS chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, moved
to make the treaty public, as 1t was n
subject In which all were greatly In
terested, but after soue discussion 1t
was decided to refer tie matter to the
committee on foreign relations before
taking that step.
Special Plenipotentiary Kasson for
the United States and Baron Fava, the
Italian ambassador, for the govern
ment, at the State Department Thurs
day, signed n reciprocity arrangement
under the third section of the Dingley
act. This arrangement does not re-
quire the action Of the Senate, but 1t
does need the ratification Of the italian
chambers. Until that has been obtained
1t is deemed well to withhold the text
of the agreement from publication.
| 1t is reported that the Democrats In
Congress have decided to east a solid
vote against duties on Puerto Rican
products. They will accept the Presi-
dents recommendations, while the Re-
publicans will reject them, with three
or four exceptions in the House. and n
dozen or more in the Senate. If seven
or eight of the Republicans in the
Hohse vote for free trade with Puerto
Rico 1t can be carried. but in the Sen
ate 1t will require at least fifteen Re
publican votes to overturn the commit
| tee.
Although no one would begrudge
Mrs. .Lawton n penny of the money that
has been contributed by the admirers
of her husband, there are other wild
ows equally deserving and even more
destitute OF the worlds blessings. Bills
granting pensions to the widows Of
these officers have been introduced In
both houses Of Congress and will no
doubt be passed. but they will not
carry more than $50 or $40 month,
and that as everybody knows, will not
20 far toward the support and educa-
| tion OF children.
Senator Caffcry of Louisiana, In n
discussion of the Philippines In the
Senate Monday, broke new ground In
developing his position as an anti-ex-
panslonist. In response TO question
rs to what In the present clrcum-
stances he would do with the Filipinos.
| he said with characteristic courage Of
convictions: "Turn them loose as soon
ms we can get rid Of them. That would
he better for them and infinitely better
for us" Mr.. Caflcry's argument was
mainly n discussion OF the constitution
nj question. He maintained that the
constitution extends absolutely over
the Filipinos and that they were en-
titled TO all the rights and privileges
Of citizens OF the United States guaran-
teed by the constitution.
The nomination Of Mrs. Potter Pal
mer OF Chicago TO he one OF the com
mlssioncrs of the United States to the
Paris Exposition has been decided up
on and will be sent TO the Senate at
the same time the other commission
ers are named. The President has se-
lected twelve commissioners under the
authority nt present granted him, but
proposition Is before Congress to per-
init him to add six other commission
ers TO the list. and as he prefers the
names OF the full commission shall be
sent to the Senate In one list he has de-
cided. for the present nt least, to de-
fer nominating any OF the commits
sloners until Congress Indicates its
final Intentions with reference TO the
size OF the commission.
The Senate finance committee has re-
ported a new section 10 the financial
bill ns follows: That the provisions
| OF this act are not intended to place
any obstacles In the way OF the accom-.
plishment OF international bImetallism,
provided the same bc received by con.
current action for the leading com.
merclal nations OF the world and Mt n
ratio which shall Insure pcrma hence OF
relative value between gold and sill.
YER" when the committee met, Senn-
tor Aldrich. chairman. offered the
amendment declaring for international
agreement for the recognition OF bl.
mctnliism. The Republican members
manifested NJ surprise nnd the Demo.
Gratis received the amendment with n
sarcastic smile. There was but little
discussion. senator Aldrich said In
reply TO questions thar the object OF the
amendment, was Ia meet the criticism
that the Republicans had abandoned
the position for International blmetnl.
llsm taken hy II In the st. Louis con.
ycntlon. The vote on the amendment
showed strict division ON party lines
senator Jones of Nevada not voting.
sIl.. tI...... .....,.lst.. am l.,.....,.. Il.