The Meeker herald., 1900-05-26
CONGRESSIONAL GRIST-
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

VVS0S~S~~OS
A favorable report was made public
Monday by the Senate committee on
public lands on the bill providing that
persons residing In or near forest re-
serves may cut or remove dead or down
timber from such reserves for their
own use for firewoOd or for improving
their farms or mines. Also providing
for issuing permits for operating saw
mills for cutting such dead or down
timber.
The comptroller of the treasury has
strained his powerful mind in deciding
the mOmentOus question whether the
paymaster general of the navy may
lawfully furnish fuel to Admiral Dew
~ at government rates. Many years
ago Congress passed an act authorizing
such practice, but at that time there
was no admiral Of the navy, and there
fore the comptroller, after great mem
tai exertion, has decided that Admiral
Dewey cannot come in for the pnvi
lexe and must buy his coal and Kind
ling from private dealers.
The United States supreme d6u las
sustained the constitutiona1fty ~ the
war revenue tax on inheritanees 10 the
E. ]. Kn0wlton case, New York. JUS
tlce White read the opinion q the
court. Suit WIS brought to recover the
tax paid. The decision declares the
tax is not repugnant to the constitution.
The contention that Congress- has no
right to Impose a tax was also held 70
be unsOund. Neither Ia the uniformity
clause of the constitution violated, de-
clared the court. The claim that the
imposition Of a progressive rate II sub
versiye to the fundamental conception
of free government Is held to b. untsn-
able.
The Senate committee on inter-ocean-
ic canals has presented Its written re-
port upon the Nicaragua canal bill.
The report includes the statements Of
Admiral Walker and other members
of the commission appointed to inyegti-
gate the various routes and also the
conclusion OF the committee with refer
ence to both the Nicaragua and the
Panama routes. The committee takes
strong position against the proposition
to build the canal via the Panama
route. paying for the work already
done by the French. The declaration
is made that the Panama company II
practically without assets, except
those included In the Panama rnt-
road. fN
Congress must ONE to the aid Ut
the administration In bringing OIL n.
W. Nicely, the Cuban defaulteF, to tn1-
tice. A new law must be enacted, 4ld
enacted at once, which win tighten Ne
governments hold on him. Every hbp
hole of escape must be closed. At4or-
ney General Griggs has forwnr6e&fto
Senator Hoar, chairman Of tn B11tttA
Committee on Judiciary, ard n o.
gresham Ray. chairman q ~ sim
liar FcOua1n&ttee Of the H0u1 = copy
of 4, bin drawn especially to MsS& .the
r. nm vtth s -tr,rs t.ttes ,,S,s,tss-
ANT ~. nacossitv ens ~ nromnt rs.s.
a. ! Ha srnrs:..d tha bnra ~ m.
ns..urs m.y - n.ssed E,tSer+ AZ
Isv 7,
rN e
The House committee on expeditions
il very nearly ready to report q bill
appropriating e5,OOO,OOO in aid Of the
exposition which the people OF st.
Louis propose to hold in 1903 to COM
memorate the purchase of the LouIsi-
ana territory by the United states.
The bill provides that the $1,000, 600
from the government shall be . loan
In the Pickwickian sense, repayment
being contingent upon the success Of
the exposition. The st. Louis people
are required to sell for cash It par
5000. 600 worth of stock, and are
authorised to Issue $4,000 600 worth Of
ton are to be applied first to the pay
ment Of the actual expenses, and. II
there IL any surplus, one-third Of the
sa mo II IN bs, mid tn tho r0yornu,out
before anything is applied to the pay
ment OF the interest or the principal
on the bonds-in other words, the
government is to be preferred part
ner In the enterprise. e.i
sar..n- o,g. Inns. ION, r.,o...,, ~.
,,,S, -. ~ rnoran s am - ~, s.e
sniaf service which mas been 20 earn
estiy aoVocated py the National busi-
ness League or chicago and CONNER
cial organizations throughout the coun-