Gilpin observer., 1902-05-15

the United States to cause to be pur-
chased such provisions, clothing, medi-
cineS and other necessaries as he shall
deem advisable and tender the same In
the name o. the government of the
United States to the government Of
France for the relief of citizens who
have suffered by the late earthquake
in the islands of the French West In
dies. The bill appropriates 100000
for the purpose and authorizes the Sec
retary of war to use the necessary
steamships belonging to the United
States to carry it's purpose into effect.
The bill passed without opposition. In
the House the consideration Of the
measure was deferred over Sunday.
The Indian depredations committee
of the Senate made n report upon Sen
ators Warren's bill to remove from
depredations law the conditions requir-
ing that the claimant, to secure relief,
must have been at the time the depre
datiOn was committed Il citizen of the
United States, and that the Indians
committing the depredations We're not
hostile to the United States, but in the
language of the law ''in amity." The
committee in its report sustained the
provision of the bill removing the re-
question of amity was unable to agree
and the discussion on this feature of
the bill will be taken to the floor of the
Senate. A number of western sena-
tors will urge the removal of this con-
dition of the law, which is regarded as
a harsh and unjustifiable discrimina-
ton which bars many meritOriOus
claims from consideration.
The sundry civil appropriation bill
which was passed by the Senate fixes
the final cost of the public building at
Cheyenne at $74. .SS3.44. The sum of
$1,000 is provided for the current ex-
penses of the Leadville fish hatchery.
The land office is allowed 1926 600 to
be expended in the survey of public
lands. One thousand dollars is allowed
the Interior Department for the ex-
animation of desert lands. For the sur
vey of private land claims in Colorado,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and
New Mexico the sum of $4,000 is ap-
propriated. The United States geolog-
ical survey is given an appropriation
of $1,0I1,67O of which 100000 is to
be expended in topographic surveys.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars is set aside for the improvement
and maintenance of the Yellowstone
National Park.
At a meeting of the Philippine COM
mittee Senator Lodge presented a cable
from General Chaffee giving the
charges and specifications of Major
Gardner relative to Tayabas province.
The charges consisted of allegations
that troops had burned buildings, ma
tives had been badly treated by Lieut..
George De c.. Catlin, and assaults on
five women had been made by soldiers.
Senator Lodge stated to the committee
that Catlin had been under treatment
for deranged mind. Catlin was charg-
ed with striking natives for not taking
off their hats to him. Senator Lodge
also laid before the committee list of
over 300 officers and enlisted men in
the United States army who have been
tried by court-martial for Offenses
against natives; also list of natives
tried by military commissions for
cruelty to United States soldiers and
violation of the. laws of war.
1t is reported that friends of the
pending irrigation bill who have been
making n canvass of the House find
that from twenty to twenty-five per
cent. of its members have heretofore
taken no interest in the measure what
ever, and have not yet decided whether
to support or oppose 1t. 1t is with
these members that the irrigationists
are working, in an endeavOr to secure
their vote when the bill is considered.
The canvass that has so far progressed
among the disinterested members has
been encouraging and there is a strong
belief that good majority of them will
ut
has been difficult to arouse any inter-
est among these members. who are
mostly from the South and the extreme
East, but the supporters of the bill in
tend to perservere throughout the time
intervening before the bill is called
up. The general canvass has not yet
progressed sufficiently to warrant an
announcement of the result in figures,
although the canvassers feel confident
of securing n safe majority for the bill.
Friends of the bill hope to get 1t up for
consideration May Both.
Following is the text of the Presi-
dents special message to Congress in
relation to the Martinique disaster: TO.
the Senate and House of Representa-
tives One of the greatest calamaties-
in history has fallen upon our neigh
boring island OF Martinique. The con-
sui Of the United States at Guadaloupe
has telegraphed from Fort De France,
under date of yesterday that the dis
aster Is complete: that the city of st.
Pierre has ceased to exist. and that the
American consul and his family have
perished. He is Informed that 10000
people have lost their lives, and that
10000 are homeless and hungry: that
oil ..F
visions and that the visit OF vessels
for the work of supply and rescue Is
imperatively required. The government
of France while expressing their
thanks for the marks of sympathy
which have reached them from Amer
lea. inform us that Fort De France and
the entire island of Martinique are still
threatened. They therefore request
that for the DlrDOSe of rpSclIiug the