The Elk Mountain pilot., 1900-04-10
CONGRESSIONAL GRIST-
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.


Monday for the first time.
The postoffice appropriation bill has
been finally agreed upon by the House
committee en- postotiices and post roads.
1t carries total of about S115,OOO 600.
The economic postage bill was also IA
vOrably acted upon. The bill author
ICES the use of device by which postal
cards are paid for only In case of use,
and 1t Is designed to facilitate CONNER
cial transactions.
Representative Hay of Virginia, one
of the prominent members of the mill
tary committee of the House, has pre-
pared bill to create out of the militia
of the several states a reserve yolun-
teer army for use in time of war to sup
plement the regular service. The bill
contemplates general broadening of
Ihe basis of the national guard, its
0Quipment with the service rifle and Its
complete organization In time OF war
into regiments, brigades. divisions and
The other day the wife of a senator
who thinks she is a linguist, but whose
friends have doubts. started a conyer-
sation with Herr Won Holleben, the
German ambassador, in his native
tongue He listened patiently for
few moments, and then gallantly re-
marked: MADAM, you will do me
i do not understand German very
nVell," Mrs. Senator looked surprised,
0But took the hint.
The popularity Of the rural free de-
livery service is clearly demonstrated
by the action of the House committee
on postoffices and post roads in franz
ing the annual appropriation bill for
the postoffice department. In the esti-
mates submitted to Congress 81, ,0OO,OOO
was asked for the coming year, and the
committee which has n reputation for
economy, after careful investigation,
voluntarily increased the item to 81
10000, and that amount will be SUD-
mitted to the House.
The naval appropriation bill has been
reported to the House by Acting Chair
man Foss of the naval committee. The
amount carried by the bill is $6l,2l9,-
916, the largest ever reported to the
House from the naval committee. Aside
from this. the report which accompan-
les the bill is remarkable for Its array
of facts regarding sea power the world
over foreign naval programs and the
comparative strength of the navies of
the great powers, accompanied by col
ored charts, showing the upbuilding OF
various great navies.
On motion of Senator Davis the Sem
ate on Thursday considered the Hay
Pauncefote treaty for the modification
~ the Clayton Bulwer treaty. About
three hours were spent in the discus
sion Of the amendment to the treaty
made by the Senate committee on for
eign relations, providing that none OF
the conditions and stipulations in sec
tions 1, 2, 3. 4 and 5. Of article 2, shall
apply to measures which the United
States may find 1t necessary to take for
securing by its own forces, the defense
of the United States and the mainte-
nance of public order"
corps, with the three battalion forma-
tiOns as in the regular service, ana is
designed to obviate the necessity or
large standing army upon the eXpira-
ton of the present law, July 1, 1eOl,
increasing the standing army to $1,000
and authorizing the present volunteer
army of 35.OOO The bill makes all
citizens between the ages of eighteen
and forty-five liable to military service
in the volunteer army. 1t nppropriates
$4,000, 600 annually for the maintenance
and equipment of the national guard OF
the several states and requires the sec
retary of war to keep in each state a
supply of ordnance stores sufficient tor
ninety days use in the event of war.
Admiral and Mrs. Dewey have had
their first quarrel The bride told
party of her friends about it Saturday,
and every one in town knew about it
before Sunday night. 1t began by the
admiral insisting, as all men do on oc-
casion, that his wife wear rubbers. She
refused to do SO because it made her
feet took so large and clumsy, and
they disputed until both grew very
much excited. when the admiral, in the
height of his passion, declared that If
Mrs. Dewey did not wear rubbers he
Would no longer take tonic that the
kctor had prescribed for him at her
Suggestion. With tears in her eyes she
surrendered and has worn rubbers ever
since.
Representative Shafroth, who has
been in consultation with the Interior
Department regarding protection from
vandalism of such portions of the West
as contain prehistoric ruins, has intro
duced bill for this purpose, which he
believes will become law. The bill
authorizes the secretary of the interior
to reserve from sale and settlement all
tracts not exceeding 800 acres, on
which are monuments. cliff dwellings.
cemeteries, mounds, forts, or other
works of prehistoric aboriginal people.
The secretary of the interior may per-
nit Investigations of these tracts by of
ficers of the Smithsonian Institute, sci
entific schools and colleges. The bill
provides severe punishment for
destroying or carrying away any relics
of antiquity found on these reserva-
ton, and also provides that the secre-
tary may acquire by purchase lands
within such reservations now owned by
individuals.
1t is stated that Webster Davis of
Kansas City will at once tender his
resignation to the President as assist
ant secretary Of the interior. Mr.. Davis