The age-herald., 1900-03-22
THE SEN ATE

W NdsHiilSl lol' uhdICii upon lHe duIHOTl- ty of the governor of Alaska. MT. Turner of Washington made the statement in the sen ate today that concessions for gold mining in the bed of the sea near Cape Nome Alaska, had been granted by the secretary of war, and upon that statement he based resolution of inquiry. Senator Turner said if such grant had been made it was "shame, a reproach and a scandal" The resolution was agreed to- In a few minutes and without discussion the additional ur- gent deficiency bill was passed with one or two other measures of importance. MT. Allison gave notice that he would call up tomorrow the conference report on the Por- to Rican appropriation bill.
 Soon after the senate convened MT. Fur ner of Washington offered a resolution, di- recting the secretary of war to inform the senate whether any concessions to excavate the gold bearing bed of the sea In the vicin- ity of Cape Nome, Alaska, or in other Alas kan waters. have been made to any indl- vidual or corporation or association by the secretary of war, or any other war depart ment official, and if so upon what theory of authority such grant was made.
 In response to an inquiry as to informa- ton which had prompted the resolution, MT. Turner said he had been informed by the governor of Alaska. who was now in the city, that the war department had granted exclusive rights to certain persons to mine the bed of the sea near Cape Nome.
 A shame and ScandeI
 ''If this is true" he said, '1t is a shame, a reproach and a scandal"
 The resolution was agreed to.
 MT. Pettigrew offered and secured the passage of a resolution directing the secre- tary of war to inform the senate what were the qualifications of voters in the approach ing election in Cuba, who prescribed the questions, the purpose of the election, and who would have charge of 1t.
 MT Hale called up the measure making appropriations to supply additional urgent deficiencies. The committee amendment thereto was agreed to, and the bill was passed without comment.
 Mir Carter called up his motion to recon slider the vote by which the senate yester- day adopted a resolution providing a mes senger to every senator not chairman of a standing committee.
 The motion prevailed and the resolution was referred to the committee on contin- gent expenses.
 A bill to authorize the judges of he dis trict courts of the United States to ap point stenographic reporters and determine the duties and compensa tion of such re- porters was passed. The bl1l provides for the appointment of ninety court reporters in the United States at a salary of $2,000 each extra pay provided for extra manu- scripts or court proCeeQlnSS bupplieu.
 The bill to provide civil code for the district of Alaska was then taken up for consideration.
 The committee amendents were first agreed to, after which MT. Perkins, Cali fornia, offered an amendment providing that the seat of government shall remain at Sitka, until the necessary grounds and buildings at Juneau are acquired.
 The Amendment was agreed to.
 After some minor amendments had been disposed of, the bill was laid aside for the day, and consideration of the Porto Rican bill resumed.
 Mfr. F'oraker. in charge of the measure, offered number of formal amendments, relating to the holding of the courts of Por- to Rico, and to the phraseology of the measure.
 The bill, after some discussion of the cre- ating of United States court on the island, was laid aside.
 The senate, then, at 8 o'clock, went into executive session and at 5:2o p. m. ad- journed.