New-York tribune., 1900-04-17
BUSINESS IN THE SENATE.
POPULAR ELECTION OF SENATOR'S DIS
CUSSED-PROGRESS ON THE
ALASKAN BILL.

Washington. April 16.-For almost the entire ses
sion to-day the Senate had under considera ton the
Alaskan Civil Code bill The amendment providing
for mining gold along the beach in the district was
perfected after a discussion lasting nearly four
hours.
At the opening Of the session the House Joint res
ouon in favor of a Constitutional amendment pro-
vidng for the election of United States Senators
by the people was laid before the Senate. AS 1t
was about TO be referred the Committee on Priv
neges and Elections Mr.. Butler asked that 1t be
read. and then addressed the Senate briefly He
declared IT the function OF committee OF
the Senate to consider, not to smother, legislation
He thought this question had been thoroughly
considered that 1t not necessary TO send II TO
a committee, and he therefore moved that it be
placed on the calendar.
Mr. Chandler, chairman of the Committee
Privileges and Elections, said that Mr.. Butler
was disposed 10 make mputations the COM
mittee he desired right 10 inform him that
he mistaken. Il do not" he said sharply.
quite like to have the Senator attack the Commit
tee Privileges and Elections in advance of its
action upon the measure
Mr. Hoar called attention to the gravity OF the
proposition submitted, that the question should not
be considered by committee Of the Senate. He
did not approve the proposed amendment. holding
that its adoption would give the United States two
legislative bodies, both chosen by the people in
popular elections the only difference being that the
Senators would have a larger constituency than
the Representatives. He astonished that such
proposition should be pressed seriously by the
Senator from North Carolina, 1t manifest
that the great States of the East and West would
not approve IT.
Mr.. Pettus expressed his regret that reflections
had been made the Committee Privileges and
Elections. mo committee" he said Ought to be
driven, by any hard words that may be uttered
against II by anybody from considering any sub
ject carefully and especially when the proposition
involves the pulling down of one of the corner
stones of the Republic. This ought not to be done
in haste
The motion to place the resolution on the calen-
oar was withdrawn. and it referred to the
Committee Privileges and Elections
Mr.. Hale presented an additional Urgent De-
fciency bill, and 1t passed without debate.
INQUIRY IN THE GOTTFRIED CASE.
Mr.. Davis reported from the Committee on For
eign Relations the following resolution and it
adopted:
ed to send to the Senate a copy of the memorial
Penn and Ist citizen or WeeTharre
Stat States at Trujo, Peru to March 81 1863
an letters and exhibits attacbed to said
this Government and that of Peru. and of any
opinions or decisions of the Department of State
ruyian revolutiGnsts against the constitutional
at the 4n tmd hmd ir f Apgs eosna Is @
OF rne United States in Peru, the wrongdoers per
terty and injuries and indignies upon his person
In violation of treaty rights
CONSIDERATION OF the Alaskan Civil Code bill was
then resumed the pending question being an
amendment offered by Mr. Stewart as 20 reeu,a
tons for the mining OF gold below low water mark
along the coast OF Alaska. After some discussion
Mr. Stewart withdrew the amendment The pro-
vision In relation TO mining at Cape Nome was
modified so as to read as follows:
Provided further, That the rules and regulations
estahlShed by the miners shall be subject to such
prescribe for mining below high tide and shall not
BE IN conflict with the mining laws of the United
After the amendment had been perfected to Mr..
Carters satisfaction, Mr. Berry offered an amend
ment to it, reading:
1t being the intention hereof that locations upon
8nS after the saa nG tsne she be
OF this act.
Mr.. Berry said he had information that com
pany had located some claims along the beach at
Cape Nome in opposition to a ruling of the Secre-
tary Of the Interior. The idea OF his amendment
was 10 prevent the confirmation of the title the
company which had located it's claims in defiance
of the ruling OF the Secretary.
Mr.. Carter said that the Secretary's ruling was
not made until January 3, 1900 and st would have
been physical imposs!bity for any location of
claims to have been made since that time by per-
sons going from here. The amendment he said
would disturb every mining claim along Behring
Sea. The amendment defeated, q to Il.
REGULATION OF GOLD MINING.
On motion Of Mr.. Pettus the Senate struck out
the provision heretofore agreed to providing that
the mining regulations shall be subject to such
rules as the Secretary of the Interior may pre-
scribe The amendment finally agreed TO and
incorporated in the bill follows
That, subject only to such general limitations
may be necessary to exempt navige ton from art-
hcial distractions, all land and shoal water below
mean high tide on the shores, bays and inlets of
Behring Sea, within the jurisdiction of the United
s ea S y R2ens of ff s goa
intention - become such under such reasonable
rules and regulations the miners in organized
hereafter make governing temporary possession
thereof for exploration and mining purposes until
otherwise provided by law; provided further. that
the rules regulations established by the miners
shall be in conflict with the mining laws of the
United States. and all permits heretofore granted
authorizing any person or persons. corporation or
waters are hereby revoked and declared null and
void; and the reservation of a roadway sixty feet
wide under the tenth section of the act Of May a.
1898 entitled AN extending the homestead laws
and providing for right of way of railroads in
Alaska, and for other proposes" shall not apply
mineral lands or town sites.
The provision in the bill that person fifty years
of age shall eligible TO appointment United
States District Judge OF Alaska, stricken out.
Mr.. Warren offered amendment, which was
agreed to. providing that in case of the death,
sickness or absence of the Governor the duties of
the office shall be performed by the surveyor-Gen-
eral ex-offlcio secretary of the district
bill then laid aside, and the Senate held
an executive session, after which, at 4:45 p m. II
adjourned.
ARMY BILL IN THE SENATE.
Washington April 16.-Chairman Tawley report
ed to-day from the Committee Military Affairs
the Appropriation bill for the Army. The pay for
officers of the line Is increased S453,0o0 The pro-