The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-22
GOLD MINING CONCESSIONS.
SAID TO HAVE BEEN GRANTED BY
SECRETARY OF WAR.

NSS"iuttohs HaSSed IN the senate
Calling Upon Him for Information
as to Such Grants IL Amy Have
Been Made-Turncr Wanted to
Know by what Authority 1t Had
Been Done-Other Matters COnsid-
cred in the senate.
Washington March 21.-Upon the au-
thority of the Governor of Alaska, Mr..
Turner Of Washington made the state
ment in the Senate to-day that conces-
sions for gold mining in the bed of the
sea near Cape Nome, Alaska, had been
granted by the Secretary of War, and
upon that statement he based a resolution
of inquiry.
Senator Turner said if such grant had
been made it was "a shame, a reproach
and scandal" The resolution was agreed
to.
In a few minutes, and without discus
sion the additional urgent deficiency bill
was passed with one or two other meas
ures of Importance.
Mr.. Allison gave notice that he would
call up tomorrow the conference report
on the Porto Rican appropriation bill
retary of War to inform the Senate wheth-
er any concessions to excavate the gold
bearing bed of the sea in the vicinity of
Cape Nome, Alaska, or In other Alaskan
waters have been made to any individual
or corporation, or association, by the Sec
retary of War or any other war depart
ment official, and if so, upon what theory
such grant was made.
Shame, ReprOach, Scandal.
1.-The Secretary of War" said Mr. Tur-
ner. has jurisdiction over the navigabe
waters in the rivers and harbers OF the
United States and at various times has
given to private individuals authority to
eXcavate the bed of such waters for prop
er purposes. Now if this authority has
been stretched to cover such a concession
as chat mentioned in the resolution it is
a shame, a reproach and a scandal"
Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado said, that in
view of this extraordinary statement the
Secretary of War would be anxious TO an
swer any proper inquiry touching 1t. If
such a concession had been granted it
was clearly a violat tion of the law.
Mr.. Carter said il certainly could not be
in contemplation of the Secretary of War
TO give mining leases without semblance
of law.
Il think the resolution should be adopt
e0 Sdl0 MI Garter, as EatlSUGd tne
response will show the secretary has not
aTrogated to himself such power
The resolutions were agreed 10.
The Cuban Elections.
Mr. Pettigrew offered and secured the
passage of a resolution directing the Sec
retary of War to inform the Senate what
were the qualifications of voters in the ap-
preaching elections in Cuba, who proscrib-
ed the qualifications the purpose of the
election and who would have charge of it.
Mr. Hale called up the measure making
appropriations to supply additional urgent
deficiencies. The committee amendments
thereto were agreed to, and the bill was
passed without comment.
A bill to authorize the judges of the
district courts of the United States to ap-
point stenographic reporters, and deter
mine the duties and compensation of such
reporters was passed. The bill provides
for the appointment of ninety court re-
porters in the United States, at a salary
of $1,000 each, extra pay being provided
for extra manuscript of court proceed
ings supplied.
The bill to provide civil code for the
district of Alaska was then taken up for
consideration. The committee amend
ments We're agreed to. After some other
minor amendments the bill was laid aside
and the Pacific bill taken up. This bill
after some discussion of the creation of a
United States Court on the island, was
bill was laid aside and the Porto Rican bill
taken up"
The Senate agreed to the conference
asked for by the House on the legislative
appropriation bill and Messrs. Cullom
Sewell and Teller were appointed as con-
ferees on the part Of the Senate.
The Senate then at O'Clock. went into
executive session and two hours later ad-
jouIned.