The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1902-09-04
COL. WILSON'S
Record During His Two Years in
Congress.

The record made by Colonel vii
son while be was delegate to congress
from this territory shows an amount
or work accomplished that is greater
than has ever before been done by any
others representative OF the terri
iory's interests. Whenever an oppOr-
tuuIty presented itself To DO something
tor Arizona hr did il at once.
For the benefit Of those who have
not had an opportunity 10 learn what
Colonel Wilson did while delegate, a
brief account Of his Iabors j. given in
this issue. The following is Il list Of
the bills hc presented and the action
that was taken on them:
Bin was passed after overcoming
the opposition Of the Land Depart
ment TO authorize the municipality Of
Flagstaff to construct pipe lines across
the public lands to develop and carry
water to the town for general use.
Introduced bill to increase the sal
aries OF the Judges of the territory
and relieve the territory from paving
any portion Of the same, which was
defeated in short session OF congress.
The bin 10 open the mineral lands Of
the Indian territories to location and
operation WAS defeated by eastern con-
"rc-smcn after Il hard fight.
A bill to repeal tho exemption Cluasc
Of the Santa Pc Railroad company's
charter and submit railroad property
To taxation in the territory. This was
placed on another bill as rider and
agreed upon and passed at present con-
grco5 a. per agreement. rs Il result
next year, and after that, the Santa Fee
will pay into the treasury the sum OF
HGi,tIu per aunum.
Tho bill introduced for the purpose
of creating an additional Judge for
trial Of cases in this territory which is
50 much needed. WAS defeated.
Introduced II bill to create and cs-
tablish local government in Arizona,
officers therein. This was never re-
ported by the committee, which claim
ed that the admission OF the territory
To statehood would do away with its
necessity.
The bill introduced by Colonel Will
son for the construction Of the San
Carlos reservoir and to appropriate
81 ,000, 600 for that purpose was placed
ON the house calendar by unanimous
report OF the committee, bat failed to
reach Il vote for want Of time.
y bill was introduced and carried to
allow Americans holding and having
rights in the Navajo reservation,
which had boon obtained before tho
reservation WAS extended over them to
perfect their titles, both is to mining
and agricultural lands.
After Il hard Eight with New York
hondholdcrs, the bill to authorizes the
city Of Tucson to ISSUE bonds 10 en-
large and buy city water works was
passed and became Il law.
Colonel Wilson introduced bill TO
nuN lp-sps tn Inc ni,nstf.- iultDapI-
cut Of the amitv clause Of the present
law-this clause now being an impa,s-
ihlc barrier To tho collection Of these
claims. Tho bill was defeated.
The bill 80 allow extra pay To officers
and men in the Spanish war was pass
Cd after being introduced by Colonel
Wilson and the men got their pay.
introduced the statehood bill, but il
WIS smothcrCd in committee for pure
ly political reasons. Colonel Wilson
laborcd hard to bring it before the
house, but the opposition refused to
listen to reason in the matter.
Tho bill to increase the per diem Of
the territorial Legislators was defeated
though after Il consistent fight by Colo
mel Wilson.
Another bill that WAS passed and be
came law was the Algodoncs grant
bill This bill allowed bona fidc resi-
dents of the grant who did not already
own more than forty acres To buy the
same from the government at &l.25 an
aero. Those who had more than forty
and not more than 100 acres. the prior
right Ia enter the same under the laws
of the United States.
The bill To appropriate 5000. 600 for
the construction OF public buildings in
the territory failed to pass because OF
the failure of the general bill cover
inc this matter. OF the amount named |
$50, 900 was for Prescott; $4,000 for
Tucson and 500, 600 fer Phoenix.
Tho bill to make improvements on
the levy ut Yuma failed because the
survey of the sapc had not been made
before congress met and mono had been
authorized.
Among the bills that passed was one
to authorize the Arizona Water COM
pauv to construct power plant and
carry its line Of communication
through the Indian reservation to
Phoenix for the benefit OF the public
in the future lightning of the town
and by electric power.
y worthy bill introduced by Colonel
Wilson that was defeated was the bill
for the relief Of Mother Katherine, TO
benefit Of the poor.
The bill to authorize the construc-
tiOn Of 4 government assay Office at
Prescott was defeated.
The bill 10 authorize towns Of over
=, GOO Inhabitants To issue bonds to de-
Vclop sanitary water and erect water
works was defeated.
\ bill that passed and that saves
Pima county about $1,000 year is the
one authorizing the county TO issue
bonds bearing low rate of interest.
The bill to refund 10 Yuma and ella
counties the fund they have paid out
in the prosecution OF Indians was
placed on the house calendar, but was
never reached and failed to pass.
The bill to create the Independent
supreme court of the territory TO
which appeals should be carried in
stead of to the United States supreme
court was defeated.
Two other bills that have become
laws are those creatin" the supports
of entry at Naco and Douglas, which