The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-17
Four Members of the Senate Commit
tee on Territories VIII Make
Tour of Investigation.
CHAIRMAN NOT OF THE PARTY
OTHER MATTERS THAT CLAIM HIS
ATTENTION WILL PREVENT.
The subcommittee Members May As
sembIe I'm indianapolis Before
Starting for the North.

Senator Beveridge, who is in Washing
ton. yesterday named Senators Dillingham;
of Vermont, Barnham of New Hampshire,
Nelson of Minnesota and Patterson of
Colorado as a subcommittee Of the Senate
committee on territories to visit Alaska
this summer to make an investigation of
conditions in the district. with view to
recommending legislation. or amendments
to existing laws, to the Senate when it re-
ASSEMBLIES. The subcommittee will start
for Alaska early in June. and will spend
month six weeks in the district. Hear
ings will be held wherever the subcom-
mittee thinks best and much personal in
vestigation will take place. The investi-
cation will be similar TO that conducted by
Senator Beveridge and other members of
the committee on territories in the South
west territories last fall.
The appointment of this subcommittee
was authorized by a resolution adopted by
the Senate at the close of the recent ses-
sion. There was considerable legislation
proposed for Alaska during the Fifty-sev-
enth Congress, and il was deemed advisa-
BILE that an investigation be made by
senatorial committee before definite action
was taken on several of the measures.
ALASKAS BIG QUESTION.
The big question for Alaska at present Is
that of representation in Congress by
delegate. Alaska will be given a delegate,
but the manner of selecting the representa-
tive has bothered both the House and the
Senate. Last winter bill was intro
duced in the House providing that the min
ing commissioners of the various districts
should have charge of the election machin-
H. H. % ole %t.a
Senate a measure was offered which pro-
vided that the election machinery should
be placed in the hands of the three federal
judges in the district. The House bill was
passed by the lower body, but when it
reached the Senate ii was amended so that
the control of the election should be vested
in commission composed of the three fed
eral judges. the Governor and the secretary
of the district.
The bill as amended was not altogether
satisfactory to the people of Alaska, who
had representatives in Washington, nor did
it satisfy many of the leading members of
Congress, consequently, Ii was not pushed
to a vote. although 1t was reported from
the committee on territories.
Congress passed a measure known as the
Alaskan corporation law, changing the
civil code it relates to municipal and
private corporations, but numerous other
bills affecting the district that were intro
duced were not pushed through.
Senator Beveridge will not accompany
the subcommittee on the trip. He stated
at the time the resolution was offered that
he would be unable to 60 The senator ex-
| poets to spend the greater part of the sum-
mer in Indiana. Thomas r. Shipp. secre-
tary to the senator. and clerk of the COM
mite on territories, may accompany the
| subcommittee although he stated last even
| ing that he would not know definitely until
| Senator Beverage returns from the East
COMMITTEE MAY MEET HERE.
AS Indianapolis is a central point, ii may
| be that the committee will assemble here
| before starting on it's northern tour, al
! though the probabilities are that Chicago
will be the meeting place. In case Indian
| apolis sees the members of the territories
| committee. it will see some Of the most
prominent men in the United States Sem
ate. Senator Dillingham;. of Vermont, and
| former Governor of that State is of
| the strong members of the majority side,
and clean, forcble man. The fact that
| he stands next to Senator Beveridge in or
der of precedence on the committee makes
| him the chairman Of the subcommittee that
will go to Alaska.
Senator Burnham, of New Hampshire, is
| one of the stanch old Republicans of the
Senate and is one of the men who are
most often called into council in that body.
Like Senator Dillingham;, he is lawyer,
| and one OF the most prominent OF New Eng
| land.
Senator Knute Nelson, of Minnesota,
came into greater prominence in the last
session of Congress by reason Of his pub
| licity amendment to the Department of
| Commerce and Labor bill, which won for
| him a personal expression of appreciation
| from the President and notice throughout
| the country. He is one of the most solid
| Republicans In the Senate.
| Senator Patterson, of Colorado, is one of
| the Democratic leaders. He belongs to
| many important committees, and is one OF
| the recognized stalwarts on the minority
| side. He has taken a great interest in
| Alaskan legislation and Is actively In favor
| of a personal investigation by the terri
1 tories committee of Alaskan affairs.
| The other members of the territories COM
| mittee are Senator Bard, of California,
| Senator Quay, of Pennsylvania, and Sem
| ator Kean, of New Jersey, all Republicans,
| and Senator Bate, of Tennessee, Senator
| Bailey, of Texas. Senator Heitfeld, of
Idaho. whose term expired last session,
| was also a member.