The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-06-28

never have agreed to it in its modi-
fed form The action of the house
committee of the 55th congress,
therefore, was entirely against this
bill, and had similar action been TAX
en- in the 18th congress, there would
have been no possibility of the pass
age of the bill. The fact that
unanimous report in favor of the bill
without any change in the treaty was
secured, and that democrat on the
committee made this report, is at
tributed to Mr.. Wilson's efforts in
its behalf This bill passed the
house without a quorum being pres
ent and practically without discus
sion, an Mr.. Wilson had previously
interviewed all of the leaders of the
house ON each side who were present,
thus preventing any antagonisms over
the measure. The house committee
added several amendments to the bill
which have been finally agreed to in
conference and the bill passed This
will open to settlement AIS, 600 acres
of land and causes an expenditure of
5000, 900 in southeastern Idaho.
THE BOISE PUBLIC BUILDING
Through Mr.. Wilson's efforts the
house committee has unanimously
agreed upon an additional appropri-
alton of 800, 900 for this building.
The speaker declines to permit the
consideration of any public building
bills at this session on account of the
large appropriations already provided
for, but an agreement has been
reached whereby this item, with
many others, will be taken up next
winter and passed This will not in
any way delay the building, as even
il the item were secured at this ses-
sion, work could not be commenced
on the building until next year When
this bill is passed Boise will have a
magnificent building costing $500,
900, perhaps the finest in the United
States for town of that size. Mr..
Wilson won the fight on the floor OF
the house by yea and nay vote fol
this bill in the 54th congress, and is,
therefore, much gratified to secure
another 500, 900 for the building.
LEASING OF PUBLIC GRAZING LANDS.
Early in the session an effort was
made to secure legislation which
would provide for the leasing OF
large tracts of the public grazing
lands. Lobbyists were sent to Wash
iDgton from California, Texas and
other places in the interests of this
legislation. Being on the public
lands committee, Mr.. Wilson was
early coenizant of the fight which
was made in behalf of this bill. He
at once opposed the measure in toto,
and finally succeeded in securing an
indefinite postponement of all these
bills by the public lands committee,
thus effectually killing them for this
congress.
INDIAN WAR VETERANS.
AT the beginning of the session he
introduced bill providing for pen
sions to Indian war veterans and has
zealously endeavored to secure it's
passage. The republicans of the
eastern states, however, are opposed
to any pensions to these veterans,
and 80 far have been able to prevent
favorable report on the bill.
ARID LANDS.
He actively endeavored to advance
all beneficial legislation for the arid
lands, and particularly enlarged APP
preparations, for irrigation, inquiry,
investigation, gauging of streams,
etc with a view to ultimately secur-
ing direct appropriations for reser-
voirs, etc.
FOREST RESERVES.
Large areas in Idaho have been set
aside as forest reserves, very often
without any regard to their utility.
The department has in contemplation
the erection of additional forest re-
serves in this state, embracing mill
ions of acres The effect of these
reservations is to retard develop