, 1900-10-09

This he promised to do but not being
elected to the 55th congress was I'M
able to render any assistance in that
direction. He took the matter up,
ceeded in having the bill enabling the
state to reconvey to the general gov
lernment the lands and to select other
lands in lieu thereof, and throwing
the lands in Star valley open to settle
ment, reported by the committee and
passed by the house of representa-
tives. The bill passed both houses and
is now a law.
Travel Pay.
Senator Warren's bill providing for
the payment of travel pay to certain
volunteer soldiers OF the war with
Spain who were discharged while at
home on sick furlough and whose dis
to travel pay, was brought up by Mr..
Mondell and favorably reported by
him as a member of the military af-
fairs committee of the house of repre-
sentatives. This bill provided for
travel pay for certain members of the
Second volunteer cavalry, CTorrey's
been refused by the comptroller of the
treasury. Immediately after securing
a favorable report on the bill Mr.. Mon
dell was able to secure recognition by
the speaker to call the bill up by man
imous consent, but its consideration
was objected to by a member and I'M
der the rules of the house could there
fore not be taken up. Later, in the
closing days of the session, Mr.. Mon
dell secured recognition and again
called the bill up, and objection was
interposed by Mr.. Lentz of Ohio, who
was Directing to the consideration o.
all bills brought up by members of
the republican side. After this Incl
dent, Mr.. Bell of Colorado, a ~populist
member, was interested in the meas
ure and Mr.. Mondell succeeded in hay
ing him recognized by the speaker to
call the bill up which he did, and Mr..
Lentz, having been notified so as not
to object to consideration by unani-
nous consent. measures brought up
by members of the minority, the bill
was passed.
John Phillips Reward.
One of the most famous small claims
which has been in congress for many
years is the claim of Mrs. Hattie A..
Phillips, widow of John Phillips, for
S., 200 for services rendered by said
John Phillips to the government and
for property belonging to him destroy
ed by Indians. A bill for the payment
of this claim was introduced in con
gress in 1892, but vas not favorably
reported. In 1895 in the saith congress
Mr.. Mondell succeeded in having the
bill favorably reported but it was not
reached for consideration. He intro.
duced the bill early in the present
congress-, secured a favorable report
on the bill, its passage and payment
to the widow of John Phillips of his
claim against the government. This
claim has been one of the most famous
of the smaller claims before congress
in many years, and Mr.. Mondell did a
great amount of work in securing it's
massage and payment
Mr.. Mondell succeeded in securing
the passage through the house of sew
eral private pension bills which have
been from two to six years pending;
including an increase of pension for
John F. Crawford and passed through
the house a bill for a pension for
Josiah Fl. Buckingham of Buffalo,
Wyoming.
General Legislation.
In the matter of general legislation,
Mr.. Mondell has been active through
out the session Of congress. His posi-
ton neal the head Of the committee
on public lands and ms experience in
the public land states, and as assist
ant commissioner of the general land
office, gave him opportunity to assist
in the enactment of much legislation
of value to the west, relative to pub
lie lands. He was active and instru-
mental in favoring legislation which
was obtained limiting lieu selections