Evening star., 1902-03-12
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Bishop 0'Gorman Not Ap-
pointed a Commissioner.
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
MUCH INTEREST BEING TAKEN IN
THEM AT THIS TIME.
President to Write a History of Texas
Pressure for Appointment Of
Judge to Alaska.

The authoritative statement can be made
that there is no foundation for a story from
Sioux Falls s. D., that Right Rev. Thomas
OGorman, Catholic bishop of South Da-
kota, has received notification of his ap-
pointment by the President as a member of
commission to visit Rome and confer with
the pope and other officials of the Roman
Church for the purchase of the lands in the
Philippines owned by the friars. On the
same authority the statement can be made
that the selection OF such a commission
has been proposed to the President and has
been under consideration by him. He has
not been able to take any action, however,
owing to the fact that Judge Taft has been
kept exceedingly busy and has had little
time to talk over this matter with the
President. When they do have time for a
talk something definite may be deter
mined upon by the President. The frars
hold many thousand acres of the best lands
In the Philippines, and this fact is recog-
nlzed as notable source of disturbance in
the islands. 1t is generally conceded that
sGch OF the lands as are already the prop
erty of the mOnaStic orders should be pur-
chased after negotiations, but the necessi-
" and the wisdom of sending a commission
to Rome for this purpose are seriously
questioned and vigorously disputed.
secretary Root is also authority for the
SldleultHC tndl no commission or any SIM
liar body has been appointed by the Presi-
dent or any of his representatives for the
purpose of negotiating with the pope at
Rome or with anybody else for the pur-
chase of the friars land in the Philippines.
He says that Congress has been asked to
provide for the purchase Of these lands.
and that whatever action is taken will be
based entirely upon legislative authority.
If Congress makes the desired provision
the lands will be purchased from the own
ers by the representatives of the Philippine
government The policy Of the adminstra-
tion in this matter is embodied in the bill
introduced by Representative Cooper one
section of which provides for the issue OF
bonds by the Philippine government for the
requirement of the land of the friars In
that country That bill is now pending In
Congress and nothing will be done In the
matter until that body has declared it's
purpose respecting these lands.
Hawaiian Affairs.
President Roosevelt is receiving much in
formation and advice relating to political
and other conditions in Hawaii. 1t Is COM
ing in all kinds Of shapes, the result of re-
cent publications that the administration
Of Gov. Dole might be overturned in favor
of new set of people. Nearly everybody
In Hawaii is described as politician. This,
added to an intense political situation.
causes the White House mails to be full Of
letters both from Hawaiians and from peo-
PIE III tnlS country more or less familiar
with affairs there. Members of Congress
are becoming interested, and are going to
the President with information and sugges-
tions.
To Write a History of Texas.
President Roosevelt received and had
pleasant talk with Col. Andrew jackson
Houston of Texas, a grandson of Gen.
Sam Houston. Col. Houston was introduced
by Representative Burleson of Texas. Pres
ident Roosevelt told his callers that when
he leaves the White House he is going to
write history of Texas. When Gen. Sam
Houston was commander of the regular
forces Of the Texas republic, Gen. BurleSon,
grandfather of Representative Burleson
was commander-in-chief of the volunteer
forces. When Gen. Houston became pres
ident of Texas Gen. Burleson became vice
president. President Roosevelt is familiar
with Texas history, and talked for some
time with Col. Houston.
Representative Cooper of Texas intro
duced Henry Miller of Beaumont. Texas.
nominate Judge H. w. Rhodes of Beaumont
for judge of the new federal district of
Texas, about to be created by Congress.
The new district will give four district
courts in Texas. The President said he
would consider Judge Rhodes name.
The Alaskan Judgeship.
Senator Kearns of Utah presented
"A. b. Hayes OF Ogden, Utah. Senator
Kearns is using his influence to have Mr.
Hayes appointed judge Of the Cape Nome
district of Alaska to fill the vacancy caused
by the dismissal of Judge Noyes. The Pres
ident had large number Of candidates
presented to him for this vacancy. but has
not made selection. Senator Kearns is
hopeful as to the chances of Mr.. Hayes.
Naval Academy Cadetship.
Representative Underwood Of Alabama
and Representative c. NJ. Shelley of that
state saw the President to ask him to APP
point John Blandin as a cadet at the Naval
Academy. Young Blandin is son of Lieut..
Blandin, who was killed in the explosion
of the Maine in Havana harbor in Feb
ruary, 1898. Lieut.. Blandin was appointed
to the Naval Academy from Alabama by
Mr. Shelley when the latter was a member
of Congress
William b. Ridgely, controller of the cur
rency, introduced to the President his
father, Charles Ridgely of Springfield. Ill.
Admiral Walker was caller. He said he
did not present any matter in connection
with isthman canal affairs. Admiral
Walker does not believe that anything
ought to be done about route until nego-
tfatiOnS for both routes have been COM