Gilpin observer., 1902-02-13
LATE WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

1t is reported that John d. Long will
shortly relinqulsh the portfolio Of sec
retary Of the navy.
The Senate committee on foreign re-
lations ordered favorable report on
the treaty to acquire the Danish West
Indies. No amendment was made to
the treaty in committee.
Secretary Root has called the atten'
tion Of Congress to the need Of pro-
viding for the fifty companies of Phil
ippine scouts, comprising about 5000
men. deficiency appropriation is re-
quired Of $4,000.
The Senate has confirmed the nomi-
nation of Medical Inspector Presley Nj.
ltixey, U. s. n, to be chief of the
bureau of medicine and surgery in the
navy, with the rank of rear admiral.
Also other naval promotions.
Secretary Long has detached Rear
Admiral Wildes from his present duty
as commandant of the Pensacola navy
yard and ordered him to relieve Rear
Admiral Louis Kempff, the junior
squadron commander on the Asiatic
station.
The House committee on labor has
reported favorably the bill of Repre-
sentative Bartholdt of Missouri to pre-
vent the United States Marine band
and other army and navy bands from
competing with civilian bands or indi-
viduals.
Unless there shall be a decided
change for the better in the condition
of the Presidents son before the end of
the week, it is probable that Prince
Henry of Prussia may be impelled to
defer his visit to the United States un-
til later in the year.
The House has passed the Lacey bill
for the protection of miners in the ter
ritories. 1t provides that in every mine
over 100 feet in depth, mine owners be
required to provide $500 cubic feet or
pure air for every fifty miners. 1t also
provides that mana gers of coal mines
shall employ shot firers.
Miss Octavia Wheaton, daughter Of
Major General Wheaton, retired, was
married Monday to Frederick NJ. Nor
ley of Colorado Springs, at ST. Johns
Church, Rev DIR. Mackay Smith Off
ciating. Owing to a recent death in the
groom's family, only relatives and a
few close friends Were present
The Senate committee on pensions
has authorized a favorable report on
the bill increasing the pensions of Mex
lean war veterans. The bill applies to
the survivors of that war who are pen
stoned or may be pensioned hereafter
under the acts of 1887. 1891 and 1897.
1t gives each of them SD per month.
The House on the 1th passed the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill. the second of the reg
ular supply bills. AS passed it carries
S25, III .969. which is S503. 121 in excess
| of the current law. Only two amend
ments of Importance We're adopted.
One provides for commission to re-
district the legislative districts of
Oklahoma. and the other authorizes
the President. in his discretion, to COW
er into the civil service the temporary
clerical force employed on account of
the war with Spain. There are about
1.25O of these clerks still in the service.
By the terms of the amendment the
President must place all or none of
them under the civil service.
President Roosevelt is said to be con-
siderably annoyed at the outcome OF
the appointment of Il. f. Daniels as
marshal of Arizona. This appointment
, was further considered in the executive
session of the Senate this evening.
after the onslaught of Senator Tillman
on the appointment in the open ses-
sion. No action was taken in the mat
ter, it being understood that the Pres
ident has telegraphed federal officials
ht Cheyenne to obtain definite informa-
ton concerning the alleged imprison-
ment of Daniels in the Wyoming peni-
tentiary. Daniels commission has
been mailed to him. but has not
reached Phoenix, and by order of the
President will not be delivered until
the charges of penitentiary imprison-
ment are cleared up.
The House committee on coinage.
weights and measures on Friday heard
representatives of leading manufact-
urers and business houses of the ad-
visibility of adopting the metric sys-
TEN of weights and measures. Among
those heard were Prof. Elihu Thomp-
son, of the General Electric Company;
Henry Troemer, an extensive manu-
facturer; DIR. A. Il. Kimmerley, con,
sulting engineer of Philadelphia, and
Professor w. w. Crosby of the Lowell
School of Theology. The sentiment was
entirely favorable to the adoption of
the metric system. The committee
heretofore has secured the Judgment of
scientists on this subject and is now
seeking to learn whether the practical
business world will approve n change.
The President has approved, with
one notable exception, all the recon-
mendations made by the army brevet
board, OF which General Macarthur
was president, for the bestowal of the
brevet rank upon all the officers of the
army who rendered especially meritor-
ious services during the war with
Spain and in the subsequent cam
paigns In the Philippines and China.
The exception noted Is the case of The
odore Roosevelt, who was awarded the
brevets of colonel and brigadier-general
for distinguished services at San Juan
Santiago. Under the law these brevets
require the confirmation of the Senate
and the nominations have been made