The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-29
THE DAY IN THE SENATE.
tonside ration of the Alaskan civil
Government Bill Uesrmed.

Consideration of the Alaskan bill was
resumed in the Senate yesterday, the
pending question being the substitute
amendment in reference to the mining of
gold in the sea of the Alaskan Coast.
Mr. Jones of Arkansas made a sharp at
tack upon the Secretary of War for issu-
ing permits to miners to dredge the Cape
Nome sands, which are supposed to be
rich in gold. He denounced the Seeretary's
action as an outrage, plain usurpation
Of authority"
The discussion of Mr.. Carter's amend
ment and Mr.. Wolcott's substitute oop-
tinued for a considerable time. and de-
veioped into an argument over mining
laws and customs. Messrs. Quarles and
Wolcott spoke in support of the substitute,
while Messrs. Stewart, Scott, and Carter
argued against 1t and in favor OF the
original amendment.
a vote was finally reached on the sub
stitute, which was defeated-ayes, p;
nays. 2S. Mr.. Carter's amendment was
then adopted by a viva Voce vote without
division.
It provides THAT subject only to such
general limitations as may be necessary
to exempt navigation from artificial OBJ
structions all land and shoal water below
mean high tide on the shores bays, and
inlets of Behring Sea, within the jurisdic-
tion Of the United States, shall be subject
to exploration for gold and other precious
metals by citizens of the United States
or persons who have legally declared their
intentions to become such, under such
reasonable rules and regulations as the
miners in organized mining districts may
have heretofore made or may hereafter
make governing the temporary possession
thereof for exploration and mining Tur-
poses until otherwise provided by law.
Provided further. That the rules and
regulations established by the miners shall
not be in conflict with the mining laws of
the United States. and all permits here
tofore granted authorizing any person or
persons, corporation or company to ex-
cavate or mine under any OF said waters
are hereby revoked and declared null and
void"
The bill went over without further ac-
tion.
During the morning hour Nr. Nelson re-
signed from the Committee on Indian Az
fairs and Mr. Bard was appot5 Ted by The
presiding officer 30 :.it tie vacancy tsus
created = Pouse bill providing that the
Secretary of the Treasury shall provide
regulations concerning the boarding Uf yes
sells was passed.
The conference report on the additional
Urgent Deficiency bill was presented and
agreed TO.
A resolution authorizing the Committee
on Pensions TO employ additional clerical
assistance. the expenditure for which is not
to exceed $500 was offered by Mr. Gal
linger. and was referred to the Commit
tee on Contingent Expenses Of the Senate
In explanation Of the resolution. Mr. Gal
linger said that there are now before the
Pensions Committee loo special bits and
fifty general bills. and that the are many
hundred pension bills before the Pause
which would come before the committee
As an Illustration of the amount of CLERICAL
work involved, he said that one day last
week a Senator had handed him forty
seven bills which were to be looked up
and he declared that it would be a ply
sical impossiblity for this work o be don,
without additional help. Bills We're passed
authorizing the adjustment =. rights of
settlers on the Navajo Indian reservation
in Arizona. Providing for the introduc-
ton of testimony in behalf of the 6sfen-
dant in all preliminary hearings of a Grim
inal nature
The Senate, at 3 O'Clock. went into execu-
tive session. after which an adjournment
was taken until today.