The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-03-20
At Washington.

The canal committee has finally de-
cided to report in favor of the Nicaragua
route. But four members dissent, and
there is likely to be minority report.
The committee has been known all
along tO be strongly in favor of the Mic
aragua route, so the report was expect
ed. 1t is growing less and less likely,
however, that any definite action will be
taken this session in the selection of a
route. The Central American countries
interested in both routes are putting up
their price for concessions and are evl
IDENTITY disposed to get out of us all the
money they can. That being SO, Con-
gress may find it advisable to let the
matter rest until they get into a more
reasonable frame of mind and are dis
posed to sell the concessions we need at
fair price.
Senator Hale is authority for the
statement that Congress is likely to ad
journ early in June.
The House, Friday, passed the post
Office appropriation bill. The only
amendment of Importance adopted was
one to incorporate in the bill the provis-
ions of the bill to classify the rural free
delivery service, passed few days ago.
Throughout the session of the Senate,
Friday, the ship subsidy bill was under
consideration. The measure was dis
cussed by Foraker of Ohio, McLaurin of
Mississippi and Harris of Kansas. For
aker supported the bill, although he ad-
mitted that he would have preferred to
build the American merchant marine
by the levying of discriminating duties.
He was willing, however, to defer to the
/ Judgment of the majority that the pend
| -, a,nI,OI;a1 ba hat yNlop
Senator Penrose, introduced an amend
ment to the pending resolutions pro-
vidng for the election of United States
senators by direct vote of the people, a
proposition TO increase the number of
senators in proportion to population
and providing for other important
changes in the representation of the
| states.
Vim. A. Rodenburg of East ST. Louis
| Ill , Friday, submitted to Pres. Roose,
welt his resignation as member of the
United States civil service commission
to take effect April l.
The House committee on territories,
Friday, decided upon an "omnbus" ter
ritorial bill which will provide for state
hood for Arizona, New Mexico and Okla
homa, instead of separate statehood bills
! for each territory The bills have here
tofore been separate but Friday they
were harmonzed in their provisions and
Chairman Knox was authorized to in
corporate them in one measure.
The House devoted Saturday to pri-
vate pension bills, passing 229 bills and
clearing the calendar This is the larg
est number of pension bills ever passed
! by the House at one session.
The Secretary of the Treasury notified
the Senate, Saturday that the Assistant
Treasurer OF the United states at San
Francisco had advised that he was no
longer able to exchange silver certif-
Gates for standard silver dollars for want
of vault room in which to store the coin.
lie says that there are something over
1872, 900. 600 in standard dollars now in
the vaults of the san Francisco SUBJ
treasury.
Senator Henderson and his lieutenants
of the House have decided to report the
Crumpacker resolution for the appoint
ment by the Speaker of committee of
thirteen to investigate the election laws
of the southern states and to determine
whether the right of suffrage is abridged
contrary to the provisions of the con-
stitution. The resolution gives the com.
mittee the power to summon witnesses
and send for persons and papers. The
committee on rules will be called to-
gether this week formally to report this
resolution.
! Speaker Henderson bestowed favors
upon Maine men very generously, last
week. Mr.. Littleteld presided over the
House for four days in fine fashion till
the post Office appropriation bill was
passed and then ON Friday, when the
/ House went into the committee of the
whole to consider bills on the union
calendar, the Speaker said: THE gen
tleman from Maine. Mr.. Powers, will
take the chair This was neat little
compliment to Gov Powers, who had
/ just delivered his maiden speech in the
House. 1t all came unexpectedly.
! representative Burleigh has presented
petitions from the Cotton Mule spinners
of Augusta, of local union No. So, V. G.
w. of A. of South Norridgewock, of
Skowhegan Union. No 1877, Carpenters
and Joiners and Brick layers and Masops
Union No. of Watervile, favorng an
educational qualification for immigrants
Representative Littlefeld has presented
similar petitions from the Lewiston and
Auburn District Cotton and Mule Spin
ners Association and Car Makers Union
of Lewiston, and of the Cigar Makers
, Union of Rockland. All these petitions
went to the committee on immigration,
of which Gen. Shattuc of Ohio is chair
man.
On Tuesday the Senate passed the
ship subsidy bill by vote of AZ to 81.