The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-22
ALASKAN MINING CLAIMS
The Senate Enquiries Into the
Grant of Concessions.
/, \ Resolution Adopted Calling Upon
the Secretary Of Wnr to Explain
Cape Observation-Disclosures of Gu
BanN Notcrs-Porto Ricnn Relief Bill

In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Turner Of
fered a resolution, for which he asked i'm
mediate consideration. directing the Secre-
tary of War to inform the Senate whether
any concessions to eXcayate the gold
bearing bed of the sea in the vicinity of
Cape Nome, Alaska. or in other Alaskan
waters. have been made to any individual
or corporation or association by the Secre-
tary Of War or any other War Department
official. aad If so. upon what theory of au-
thority such grant was made.
In response to an enquiry by Mr.. Carter
of Montana as to 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 navi-
gable waters in the rivers and harbors of
the United States and at various times
has given TO private individuals authority
10 excavate the bed of such waters for
proper purposes. Now If this authority has
been stretched 10 cover such a concession
as that mentioned in the resolution 1t is a
shame a reproach and scandal. My
resolution. / may say, is for the purpose
of eiiciting such information as the Sec
retary of War may have on the subject
Mr. Wolcott of Colorado said he had no
doubt that the Secretary of War would
be as anxious to answer the enquiry as
the Senator from Washington was to make
it: because the concession would be such
a clear violation of Law that it 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 semblance Of law.
Il think he continued. that the resolu-
tlon should be adopted. as / am satisfied
that the reply to it will 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-
tary 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 il, and
who prescribes the qualifications of voters.
Mr.. Hale called up the Urgent Deficiency
Appropriation BILL and after the committee
amendments had been agreed TO it was
passed without discussion. Mr.. Carter
called attention 20 the motion made by
him on Tuesday to reconsider the vote by
which the Senate, earlier in the same day
adopted a resolution introduced by Mr..
Sullivan, providing a messenger, at an an
nual salary of 81. .44G for each Senator not
a chairman of 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 Mr.. Allison and went over until today.
The Senate bill TO authorize the judges
of United States district courts to appoint
stenographic reporters was taken up and
read. II fixes the compensation of report
ers at $1,000 a year with 10 cents a folio
for extra typewritten manuscripts OF
court proceedings. and cents a folio
for carbon copies. In reply to en-
quiries. Mr.. Hoar, who reported the
bill. said it would require the appoint
ment OF about ninety stenographers, but
that the compensation would not be all an |
increase of expenditure, as stenOgraphers |
were now employed and paid, their charges |
in some cases reaching very large amounts. |
In the course of discussion of the bill, |
Mr.. Allen criticised the lax practice of |
Federal courts in some districts in allow |
ing juries To separate during the trial OF
cases, civil or criminal. He admitted how
'.th lie pending subject. The bin was |
then passed
The bill to provide q code for the dis /
irsci OF Alaska was taken up and the for
mai AMENDMENTS as rsported by the Com |
mltee Jeh Territories were about TO be |
"a on when the absence of a quorum |
was suggested by Mr. Bate. The roll was l
called and forty-iive Senators-one more |
Than a qucrum-snswered.
After al the committee amendments |
were agreed tc an amendment was offered |
by AT. 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 10 pro- |
vide revenues for Porto Rico was taken up. |
Mr. Foraker. in charge of the measure. |
offered a number of formal amendments. !
which We're agreed to. relating to the hold |
ing Of the courts OF Porto Rico and to the |
phraseology OF the measure.
conference was ordered on the Legis- |
1ative Appropriation bill, and Senators !
Cuilom, Sewell and Teller were appointed |
eonferees on the part of the Senate.
Mr.. Fairbanks gave notice that next |
he would ask the Senate to con-
slider resolution accepting a statue OF |
Oliver p. Morton, of Indiana
At p, m, in compliance with an ar |
made on Tuesday. the Senate |
went into executive session, and at 5:I5 |
adjourned until today.
TO ELEVATE THE B. & O. TRACKS |