The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-03-08
WELL HANDLED.
Was River and Harbor Bill by
Senator Nelson.
The Federal Judge Bill Failed.=--Other
Minnesota Matters of
Interest.

Washington Correspondence In ST.
Paul Pioneer Press:
Thanks to the efficient management
by Senator Nelson as chairman of the
conference committee on the part of
the senate, the river and harbor ap-
preparation bill is going through in
good shape, and although material re-
auctions were made in the totals of
the bill, both in respect to cash outlay
and the continuous contracts, nothing
was lost to the appropriations for the
internal improvements projected for
the northwest.
This is the first time Senator Nelson
has had the honor of,,managing great
appropriation bill, but it may safely be
said that it will not be the last time
he will be entrusted with such respon-
sibility, for it is admitted on all sides
that he has made a remarkable record
in carrying out the wishes of the sem
ate, holding down appropriations as
low as possible and at the same time
caring for the really necessary COM
mercial interests of the country. The
bill was reported to the senate by Mr..
Nelson and he managed it on the floor
of that body with great skill. But in
conference he did the most effective
work. When it is considered that t he
house conferees were strenuous to save
the amounts which the house origin
ally placed in the bill it seems remark
able that the conference should finally
agree, not only to the reductions made
by the senate, but even making the
bill smaller than it was reported to the
senate. The bill as it passes will carry
about $40, 900, 900, andssthe cash appro-
priations are about $23, 900, 900.
Notwithstanding the persistent
efforts of the members of the Mime
sofa delegation the bill to provide for
another federal judge for the state
fails of passage. The measure passed
the senate, but it was late, and in
view of the fact that several bills, had
already passed this congress providing
for additional federal judges in differ
ent states it was impossible to induce
Speaker Henderson to give time for
the consideration of the bill providing
for more judges in Minnesota and
Nebraska. The situation is now thor
oughly understood by the members of
the Minnesota delegation and the ques-
will no fol ntl N ha
session of congress next December.
The understanding now is that the
plan will be to have the state divided
into two districts. 1t is believed that
this will give better satisfaction than
to have the two district judge holding
terms of court at large in the state.
Although Senator Clapp and Repre-
sentative Stevens have not lost sight
of the necessity for improvements at
Fort Smelling, 1t was found on investi
cation at the war department that the
reports which had been received from
the officers in charge of the department
of Dakota were not sufficiently favor
able to encourage the war Office here to
urge the improvements not to aid the
Minnesota senators and representatives
to move theoretically in the matter.
In this situation it was not deemed
advisable to press the question to the
exclusion of other matters of import
ance pending in the busy closing day
of the session.
1t was known early today that the
cOnferees on the sundry civil bill had
agreed to the amendment providing
for the retention by the government of
the old federal building in st. Paul.
This makes that part of the arrange
ment secure. Although it has been
impossible to arrange for the immedi
ate appropriation of the additional
800, 900 for the new building, all the
funds necessary to carry on the work
as it is desired will be furnished by
the department and there will be no
delays in carrying the structure to i'm
mediate completion.
Special efforts were made by the
members of the Minnesota delegation
to secure action, even in the closing
movements of congress, on the bill for
the retirement of Gen. F. W. Seeley
of Lindstrom, but there was opposi-
ton to the consideration of all bills of
this character. Representative Bailey
of Texas took the position that no
measure of the kind required imme-
date consent to secure their consider
alton should be permitted to pass.
For these reasons the bill. with a