The Lamar register., 1900-02-14
WASHINGTON NEWS.
"hAt Congress Is Doing.-Notes From the
white hsuse and the Dopartmsnts.


Mrs. Martha A. Shute as secretary
1here Is likely to be contest over the
matter, as Mrs. Shute is very popular.
The House committee on public lands
mas heard Colonel Buffalo Jones In
favor OF bill for a buffalo reservation
In New Mexico. He stated that the
American buffalo was almost extinct,
the entire number the world over being
BOO or 100,
Bishop SatterIee OF the Episcopal do
eese of Washington is visiting Philadel-
phla, New York and other eastern cities
Tor the purpose of raising funds for the
erection OF a national cathedral in this
city OF dimensions and style OF nnchi-
lecture corresponding to the wealth and
dignity of this nation
Senator Morgan, chairman of the
Senate committee on the Nicaragua
canal, says be expects the canal bill to
pass the Senate this month. Rrepre-
sentative Hepburn. chairman of the
House committee. says be expects II to
pass the House during this month. A
poll OF both houses show that when 1t
comes to a vote the bill will pass both
houses by overwhelming ma5orities.
Judge Barnard OF the United States
Court of the District OF Columbia has
rendered n decision which has caused
sensation In Congress and Is likely
TO BE- the subject OF earnest discussion.
He holds that Congress has no power
to fix the rates 10 h. charged by a cor
porniion holding public franchise and
usin. the public tbaroughfares. The
case II point Is that OF the telephone
rates, which Congress cut from Si25 to
$50.
The treaty with Great Britain rela-
tive 20 the building OF the Nicaraguan
canal was received by the Senate Mon
day and WAS read lu executive ses-
sion Senator Davis, chairman OF the
committee on foreign relations, moved
20 make the treaty public. as 1t was
subject In which all were greatly In
tercsted, but after some discussion II
WAS decided 10 refer the matter TO the
committee on foreign relations before
taking that step.
Special PlenlpoteutiAry kasson for
the United States and Baron Faya, the
Italian ambassador, for the govern
rreui, nt the State Department Thurs
day, signed a reciprocity Arrangement
under the third section Of the Dtngiey
act This arrangement does not re-
auire the action OF the Senate, but It
does need the ratification Of the italian
chambers. Until that has been obtained
II is deemed well to withhold the text
OF the agreement from publication
IL is reported that the Democrats in
Congress have decided to cast a solid
vote against duties on Puerto Rican
products They win accept the Prest-
dent's Recommendations, while the he
pubtcans viii reject them. with three
or four exceptions in the House, and .
dozen or more Ia the Senate. II seven
or eight OF the Republicans in the
House vote for free trade with Puerto
Rico 81 can BE- carried, but in the Sem
ate II viii require AT least fifteen Re
publican votes to Ovrrturn the commit
tee "a
Although no one would begrudge
Mrs.I.awt0n 4 penny OF the money that
has been contributed by the admirers
Of her husband. there are other wild
ows equally deserving and even more
destitute Of the worlds blessings. Bills
granting pensions to the widows Of
theas. officers have been introduced In
both houses Of Congress and viii no
doubt be passed. but they viii not
carry more than S;pb or $40 a month,
and that. as every body knows, will not
go far toward the support and ednca-
tion Of children.
Senator CaTery Of Louisiana, in a
discussion Of the Philippines IN the
Senate Monday, broke new ground In
developing his position as an anti-ex-
pansionIst- In response TO question
as to what In the present clrcufn-
stances he would do with the Fflipinos,
he said with characteristic courage OF
conviction: Turn them loose as soon
as we can get rid OF them. That would
be better for them and infinitely better
for u.s." MIR. CaffeTy's argument was
mainly a discussion OF the constitution
nj question He maintained that the
constitution extends absolutely over
the FilIpinos and that they were en-
titled TO all the rights and privileges
OF citizens OF the United States guaran-
teed by the constitution.
The House committee on Interstate
commerce Is trying to decide whether
the government shall build
cable line TO connect our new
possesslUns in the Pacific, or
whether we shall pay subsidy
OF 500, 600 year 10 a private corpora
lion which offers to do so on those
terms and send free of cost all mes
sages relating 10 government business.
SURVEYS have already been made, and
the naval authorities recommend that
A cable be laid from San Francisco to
Honolulu. ., 100 nautical miles; to Mid
way. i.lGO nautical miles, and 10 Lu-
gon. 1872 nautical miles, with land
49,, 4,,p hHr Manila