The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-26
The Conference Report on the Bill
Agreed TO by the Senate.
Important Change Regarding QuaIi-
fcations of yoters-Scnutor scott's
Cnse Discussed-The Agricultural
Appropriation Bill Pnsscd-Other
nusiness Under Consideration.

| the payment of taxes before the registra-
tion of voting and the insertion of a pro-
vision that no person shall be imprisoned
for non-payment OF taxes (as he can be
| under existing Hawaiian law or for debt.
Then" suggested Mr.. Jones of Arkan-
sas, IF the conference report is adopted
the payment of taxes viii not be a pre-
requisite to voting
That's it exactly" replied Mr.. Cullom,
''and In addition there is to be no impris-
onment for debt"
-'As l understand it," said Mr. Bacon,
all residents of the United States and
Hawaii are entitled to the right of fran
chise. without restriction as to the pay
ment of taxes
That is right" said Mr. Cullom
Mr.. Tillman enquired what had been
done with the provision requiring the
President to appoint the officials of the
Territory from among the residents of Ha-
wall
Mr.. Culiom replied that on that subject
the bill remained exactly as it had been
passed by the Senate. The offices were to
be filed by citizens of Hawaii
Mr.. Tfllmar said he thought the same
provisions ought to have been inserted In
the Porto Rican bill. so that carpet bag
gers" should not be inflicted upon these
people,
Mr.. Foraker pointed out that by the pro-
visions of the Porto Rican bill the Presi-
dent, il he saw fit, could appoint all the
officers of Porto Rico from citizens Of
the island.
Mr.. Piatt of Connecticut gave 1t as his
opinion that the provision CT the bill re-
quiring the President to appoint the off,
l. 81,
habitants was very bad policy. and said
that there was no reason why the Pres-
dent should be restricted to citizens of
the Territory. excluding all citizens of the
United States from such Offices.
After some further discussion the con-
ference report was agreed to without di-
vision.
The resolution declaring Mr. Scott of
West Virginia entitled to retain his seat
in the Senate, which had been reported
March 20 from the Committee on Privi
leges and Elections. was taken up, on mo-
tion of Mr.. McComas, who made a state
ment on the subject. He explained the
case in detail as the committee had found
it upon investigation, his remarks being
practically an elaboration OF the report
made by the majority of the committee
which concludes with the statement that
there were no facts In the case to warrant
further investigation.
The remonstrants against Mr. scott
claimed that he had not had a majority
of the joint assembly: that the assembly
consisted of ninety-seven votes. of which
forty-nine made a majority. and that he
had only received forty-eight votes. The
committee held. however. that, owing TO
action OF the Legislature. the joint as
sembly had been reduced to ninety-five,
and that Mr.. Scott had been peacefully
and fairly elected. Another objection that
he was an inhahitant. not OF West lir-
ginia, but of the District OF Columbia, was
also held to be unfounded One member
OF the committee (Mr. Pettus) dissented
and submitted a minority report.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. McComas' ex-
PLANTATION Mr. Pettus, who presented the
minority report, asked that the case go
over until today. and it was so ordered.
Senate bill to provide an American
register for the steamer Esther, of New
Orleans. formerly the Phoenix, of Norway,
was passed.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Tillman,
and was agreed to. calling on the Secre-
tary of the Treasury for a report showing
the nu3aber. location, character. and ag-
gregate cost Of each of the public buildings
already erected or under construction with
the cost of sites in each case
The Agricultural Appropriation bill was
then taken up and passed. II appropriates
81. 12O. .G00, as against 1925 022 for the cur
rent fiscal year. and 81. 199, 100 for 1891.
The usual annual discussion took place
as to the value Of seeds furnished through
the Department of Agriculture and re-
suited in the defeat of amendments pro-
posed by the committee to reduce the al
lotment for members of Congress from |
$50 600 to $50, 900. and to reduce the gen.
prpl ifapN fnr pTJrTba pf saeIa SI7O
600 to $50, 600 The larger sums remain in !
the bill.
On motion of Mr.. Tillman an item of |
s5.0G0 was inserted for an experiment in !
the cultivation of hemp to be used for |
cotton bagging. An item of $4,000 was |
also inserted on motion OF Mr.. Martin for /
an experimental station on the Arlington !
estate near Washington.
Senate bill appropriating 800, ,OC0 for a |
public building at Kingston N. Y, was |
passed.
The Alaska bill was then taken up. the
question being on the amendment to
mining locations at Cape Nome. Mr. Hans
Drough who had offered it, said that he Was
Inclined to think that the amendment was
-ather radical: and he would, therefore,
withdraw it, letting the substitute offered
by Mr.. Carter take it's place.
The substitute provides that nothing in
existing mining laws of the United States.
but that in any suit, action, or proceed
ng hereafter commenced, involving the
7alidity of an unpatented mining location
IL Alaska, the competency OF the locator
nay be put in issue, and the court shall
determine whether the locator was. at
he time of the location. citizen of the
United States or had declared his inten-
ion to become such.
Mr.. Pate continued the argument which
lie had begun last week against the amend
nent and substitute as being in conflict
With the rights and interests Of the
miners. 1t had been the policy of the
he said. to give all possible
dyantage to miners, whether citizens or
liens. and the proposed amendment was
lined against alien miners. 1t would not
nly affect their rights in the future. but
t was also retroactive and would apply TO
ocations already made. 1t should. there
ore be defeated.
Mr.. Pettigrew favored the amendment.
lie denied the claim made on behalf of
,aplanders and treated the matter as 4
onflict between locaters and spectators.
Ie sent to the Clerks desk and had read
letter from former constituent. now a
esident Of Alaska to show that the Cape
;ome gold discovery had been made, NOT
" LaplanferS or other aliens as claimed, |
ut by a party of three miners from Call
ornia. the first discovery being made in
he summer CT 1855 by 4 man named
Ilake.
MIR. Stewart opposed the amendment. He |
the story of Mr.. Pettigrew's |
and that of the memorial TO
he President (read in the Senate last