Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1902-03-27

Washington, March 24.-By an al
most unanimous vote the house COM
mittee on foreign affairs have struck
out of the Mitchell-Kahn Chinese ex-
clusion bill the paragraph prohibiting
ships flying the American flag from
employing Chinese sailors under $4,000
for each offense. This provision has
proved one of the chief sources of
controversy over the bill. The sena-
tors and representatives from the Pa
cific coast states regard this pro-
vision as most important.
The main argument leading to strik-
ing out the provision was that Amer
lean ships on the Pacific compete with
English and japanese lines, and that
the latter ships would indirectly re-
ceive a great advantage in continuing
the employment of Chinese at $3.50 per
month, whereas the American ships
would have to pay about $50 per month
for white sailors.
Representative Kahn, of California,
has talked with Speaker Henderson as
to the exclusion bill when it reaches
the house, and it is understood that
while Mr.. Kahn considers the sailors
clause most important, he will not in
sist upon it to the extent of jeopardiz-
ing the entire exclusion measure.
Cuts Out China's Exhibit.
Washington, March 24.-The pro-
iectors of the St. Louis exposition have
discovered with alarm that the organic
act providing for the exposition con-
tains paragraph which threatens to
prevent the participation of the Chi
nese government. This section is pc
culiar one, and not only prohibits "the
coming into the United States of any
Chinese persons" in connection with
the exposition, but absolutely pro-
hibits a suspension of this provision of
the act under any circumstances. The
exposition authorities feel that this
will prevent absolutely the participa-
ton of the Chinese government, if it
stands, and they are now working
earnestly to secure corrective legisla-
ton. H.
Senate Passes President's Bill.
Washington, March 24.-The bill for
the protection of the president passed
the senate. All amendments to the
measure were rejected and it was
passed by vote SO to Is.
It's Provisions.
The bill provides that any person within
the United States who shall wilfully and
maliciously kill the president or any OFF,
Ger on whom the duties of president may
devolve. or any sovereign OF foreign
country, or shall attempt to kill any of the
persons named. shall suffer death; that
any person who shall aid, abet. advise or
counsel the killing Of any of the persons
named. or shall conspire to accomplish
theirdeath, shall be imprisoned not exceed
ing 20 years; that any person who shall
threaten to kill or advise or counsel an
other to kill the president, or any official
on whom the duties of president may de-
volve. shall be imprisoned not exceeding
ten years: that any person who shall will
fully aid in the escape of any person guilty
of any of the offenses mentioned shall be
deemed an accomplice and shall be pun
ished as principal. The secretary of war
is directed to detail from the regular army
a guard of officers and men to protect the
president without any unnecessary dis
play" and the secretary is authorized to
make regulations as to the dress, arms and
equipment of such guard.
House Passes Harbor Bill.
Washington, March 24.-The house
has passed the river and harbor bill,
which has been under consideration
throughout the week. Although sew
eral minor amendments were adopted,
not single dollar was added to the
measure, and, as passed, it carried ex-
actly what it did when it came from the
committee-60,6ss 1867, including au-
fluctuations.
Mr.. Powers (Me.) Saturday. called up
the contested election case of N. b.
Spears VS.. John L. Burnett from the
Seventh district of Alabama. The re-
port was unanimously in favor of Mr..
Burnett, the sitting member, who is
democrat, and it was adopted.
Mr.. Mann Qll.), from committee on
elections No. then called up the con-
tested election case of j.. Mckenzie
Moss VS.. John L. Rhea, from the Third
Kentucky district.
In this case the majority of the COM
mittee reported in favor of the con-
testant, Mr.. Moss, a republican, and
the minority in favor of the sitting
member Mr.. Rhea. The majority and
minority resolutions were read and
it was agreed that the debate upon
the case should be limited to,seight
hours, four on a side, the vote to be
taken on Tuesday next. It was also
agreed that Mr.. Mann OILY should
control the time for the majority and
Mr.. Fox (Miss.) for the minority. Mr..
Mann then took the floor and made the
opening argument in favor of the con-
tentions of the majority. He denied
at the outset that political bias had
Influenced the majority of the commit
tee in their decision against the sitting
member.
He said that it was unquestioned
that Mr.. Moss had received more votes
than Mr.. Rhea, who on the face of the
returns had 1856 plurality. Adding to
the vote of each candidate the votes
rejected under the Goebel election law,
he said, the plurality for the sitting
member was converted into plurali-