The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-17

engineers.
An appropriation of 5000 was made for
q lighthouse at Brown and one at SIP
point of $3.50. these being new appropri-
atoms.
Alaska Lighthouses.
I'VE secured the passage OF a bill
through the senate appropria,ing 500"
for lighthouses and fog signal stations
along the coast OF Alaska, and this bill
was favorably reported from the inter
state and foreign commerce committee
We found. however, that IT would DO
impossible to get this bill through the
house at this session and we therefore
concentrated our efforts to getting pro-
vision in the sundry civil bill appropriate
ing for this purpose 100000, and expect
to secure the passage OF the BILL at the
next session OF congress appropriating
the $4,000.
Pacific Cable Matter.
THE matter of a Pacific cable from the
western coast of Alaska has also been
very strongly urged. and met with very
favorable consideration by the commit
tees to which It was referred, and we are
very hopeful OF securing favorable legts-
lation in future In fact. the merits OF
the northern route for the location or
cable from this country 10 the Philippine
islands has been pressed upon not only
the committees but the different members
Of congress- and wherever the conditions
are fully explained they produce very
favorable impression.
Heretofore there has been but little II
any talk OF any other route for this cable
than from San Francisco, by way OF Ha
wall and while a cable Is likely TO be
laid from the United States TO Hawaii.
we believe that the merits Of the north
ern route will cause the laying OF cabls
to the Philippines by that way in prefer
ence to extending the line on from Ha-
wall.
Rivers and Hnrbors.
There was no general river ana harbor
bill at this session. only small bill pro-
viding for preliminary surveys was pass
ed. In this provision was made for sur
veying the harbor at Tacoma There we:e
several other preliminary surveys that the
delegation desired and urged upon the
committee but IL was impossible to get
more than this one at this time.
general river and horbor bill will be
presented at the next session and we ex-
pect to secure very liberal appropriations
for the different projects in our state,
among them being the Improvement OF
the north fork OF the Lewis river, the
harbor of Refuge ut Neah Bay. and APP
preparations for the Columbia river. the
Lake Washington canal and the harbor at
New Whateon. together with preliminary
surveys for the Improvement OF the Cne-
halls river Grays harbor and other local.
tiles.
Public Building Bills.
I'VE had no public building bills report
ed 10 the house this session, but bills
providing $4,000 each for Seattle and
Tacoma and $500 900 for Spokane passed
the senate and are now before the house
committee. We are satisfied that some OF
these bills. IL not all. will be favorably
al In, "a at
next session. providing the above amounts
or even larger ones The merit OF these
cities. with others in the state OF WASH
ington. have been fully presented TO the
committee on public buildings.
Pablo Building Bills.
'sThe state Of Washington has but one
public building. and that one Is at Port
Townsend. There are many public build
iugs at places much smaller in size than
our cities, and with much less public
business Even ono town, where they have
only a fourth class postofacs. has been
allowed public building. These matters
have all been called to the attention
of the committee. and the different men,
beers have expressed themselves very Ia
vorably indeed TO liberal appropriations for
our state.
I'VE secured n provision in the Indian
appropriation bill allowing the Yakima In
dams to lease their unimproved lands for
a period not exceeding ten years for aKri-
cultural purposes.
Rebate to settlers.
Through the active and earnest efforts
of the Oregon delegation a bill was passed
through the senate providing for the re-
IA ymeut OF the excess OF double the
minimum price paid by settlers along the
forfeited limits OF the Northern Pacinc
Companys right-of-way, and this bin was
favOrahly reported from thu public lands
committee 20 the house and is now on
the calendar. We hepo TO secure the pas
sage Of this bin at the next session of
congress.
Alaska Code Bill.
"Of course we did all in our nower to
assist in peTfecting and passing the Alas
kR and Hawaiian bills. md In this con-
nectlon desire 10 state that Alaska ana
the state OF Washington have no more
earnest and jealous friend than Mr. IAN,
% Connecticut He fully realizes the i'm
portance and needs OF our state and
Alaska, aal. above all he fully compre-
hends the splendid character Of thu
people Of Alaska He never nesIects an
opportunity 70 say good word for them
and TO advance MEASURES 70. their interest
He rendered valuable assistance in 50.
curing The $1,000 Appropriation for the
light houses and fog signals
Forest Reserve Liquidation.
The matter OF forest reserves has re-
ceiVsd much attention from the deg.u..
tion. After very hard and eontinuans
work we secured tho elimination Of a
large tract % land Ia Clauarn county
from the Olympic reserve and are s,Ill
working 20 secure the elimination Of an
other large tract IN jefferson county from
the forest reserve We want TO try ard
have that closed Up before we leave
Washington.
We also secured a favorable report
from the committee on public lands. pro-
vidinR that no forest reserves shall here
after be created except By act OF con.
grsSs ara another one providing that
hereafter 90 forest reserves IN tho states
of Idaho and Wsahlurtou shall b. ere.
ated except hy act % congress In mi.
work We had the united support OF al
most all the delegations - the western
states. ard especially ihat q gAprssentA-
tive Wilson. ~ idaho.
Homestead Laws Extended
We alec secured she passage u a bill
through tire house extending me home
afeaF p tho soldier. .F to-