The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-07
BIG DREDGE AT ANTWERP
AN AMERICAN ENGINEER SURPRISES
ALL THE CONTINENT.
Boat That Scoops Up 800 Cubic Yards
OF Dirt an Hour-Women Want
PoIygamy Abolished.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6. The en-
cheering world of all Europe has not
recovered from the surprise over the re-
markable performance at Antwerp of big
dredge boat constructed in Belgium for the
Russian government, on plans prepared by
an American engineer, Mr.. Bates. of Chi
cago. Under the contract the boat was to
have a capacity of 1000 cubic yards of
dredging per hour. She recorded a capac-
ity ef 1850 yards on trial So great was the
interest in the trial that most of the for
eign ambassadors were present, the Bel
gian- Cabinet, commissions from Australia,
India, Germany. France the Argentine Re-
public, and hundreds of engineers from all
parts of Europe Trains were run at re-
duced rates to accommodate the people
eager to see the American dredge. the
most powerful in the world. and for six
weeks boats were kept running at Antwerp
to carry visitors to the point of operation.
The immediate effect has been to cause or
ters to be placed for similar dredges for
reported TO the State Department by Con-
sui General Holloway, at st. Petersburg
The rooms of the House committee on
judiciary were filled 10 overlooking to-day
with the representatives of many relig-
ious. missionary and social reform bodies
to urge the need OF a constitutional amend
n ent prohibiting polygamy. Among those
heard were Bishop Satterlee. Episcopal
bishop of Washington; Rev. DR.. Hamlin,
in behalf of the Presbyterian Church; DR..
s. H Green, of the Baptist Church.; Mrs.
James. for the Women's Home Missionary
Board of the Presbyterian Church; Miss
Jennie Alderman, travelling representative
OF the w. c. T. e.; Judge william Spring
er. of Indian Territory; DR.. John Dixon
of New York; DR.. l.. A. Foote. of Brook
1yn. and quite number of others rep
resenting various denominations. The
addresses were strongly condemnatory of
polygamy and many of those engaged in
missionary work In the West stated that
the Mormon Church was systematically
propagatfng the doctrine OF polygamy, de-
spite all denials The women speakers ap-
pealed in particular for protection to the
sanctity of the American home.
The hearing was brought about on mo-
ton OF Representative Overstreet, whose
subcommittee has charge of several anti
polygamy bills and proposed constitutional
amendments. The judiciary committee is
disposed TO report constitutional amend
ment prohibiting polygamy absolutely. and
will probably do so in the course of the
session.
Secretary Root has sent to Congress an
abstract Of the militia force of the United
States. It shows the total number of men
ized, as 10.343.1 $50. and an aggregate or
ganized strength of 339.
The President to-day sent the following
nominations to the Senate: Henry w. Sew
erance, Of Michigan, to be U..ited States
circuit Judge for the Sixth judicial circuit:
Major Charles p. Kimball, surgeon. TO be
deputy surgeon general with the rank of
lieutenant colonel; Capt William o. Owen,
assistant surgeon, to be surgeon, with the
rank of major: Capt. p. r. Egan. assistant
surgeon, to be surgeon, with the rank of
major.
The Cabinet meeting to-day occupied less
time than usual, and nothing of special
public interest was discussed The situa-
ton in Kentucky was not mentioned. and
later the members OF the Cabinet expressed
their belief that the present difficulties
would be overcome without further trouble
Secretary Gage was at the meeting, but
being indsposed from severe cold he
went home instead Of returning to the
Treasury Department.
An authorized statement is made on the
best authority that all that has been pub
nshed In the press concerning an alleged
banquet offered by Ambassador Cambon.
OF France, to Count De Castelane is mac
curate. The matter has attracted consider