The Elk Mountain pilot., 1903-12-22


the friars has, it is said at the War
Department, practically settled itself
or the immense body of friars in the
Islands at the outbreak of the war
only 200 are said to have remained
and nearly all of these are at Manila
Even if few remain, it is felt that
their power to further embarrass the
future relations of the government and
people in the Philippines has disap-
peared.
1t is not doubted that the President
and Secretary Root will approve Gov
ernor Taft's arrangement, particularly
as it appears that the people of the
United States are not to be charged
with any of the money required to buy
the friar lands.
The Supreme Court of the United
States will take recess of two weeks
from December 21st.
Senator Hevburn of Idaho. has in
troduced joins resolution requestin s
the President acquire by annexation
the island of San Domingo. the depen-
dencies of San Domingo and Hayti.
There are now fifty-three forest re-
serves, created by presidential procla-
nations under section "a of the act of
March 3. 1891 go Stat L., 1095), en-
bracing 62.354,9 ,965 acres. This is an in
crease over last year of 2,179, 200 acres
The gross postal receipts of the fifty
largest postoffices in the United States
for last month. compared with Novem-
yer, 1902 were 5,402 $50, an increase
of over seven per cent. The highest
increase was twenty-five per cent, at
Los Angeles.
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi has in
troduced a concurrent resolution in the
House proposing an amendment to the
constitution to give Congress power to
collect taxes on incomes, and providing
that such tax shall not be construed to
be direct tax within the meaning of
the constitution.
The House Committee on Territories
has reported favorably Delegate Will
sons bill authorizing the counties of
Phoenix. Temple and Mesa, in Arizona,
to issue bonds amounting to $4,000
for the purpose of building road from
Phoenix to the proposed new Tonto ir-
rigation enterprise.
The Senate Finance Committee heard
Director of the Mint Roberts on n bill
providing for the coinage of small
coins at the San Francisco mint. The
Colorado delegation has asked that
smaller coins be coined at the Denver
mint. The chief point of Mr.. Roberts
statement was the item of cost in
transporting coins from the West to
the East.
Congressman Shafroth will make an
other attempt during this session of
Congress to procure the establishment
of national soldiers home at Denver.
His bill last session received a favor
able report, but was kept from coming
before the House by the speaker and
committee on rules. Mr. Shafroth says
he has strong hopes that the measure
will succeed this session. The bill calls
for an appropriation of S25O,00O.
President Roosevelt declared to
party of Illinois officials and politicians
who called on him that he would take
no part, directly or indirectly, in the
political contest now being waged in
that state. The members of the party
are supporters of Governor Yates and
hope he may be renominated and re-
elected. The President, in addition to
defining his own position, does not ex
pect that federal ofIiceholders in the
state will participate actively in the
contest, as his position in respect to
such activity is pretty well under
stood.
Senator Warren presented a memo
rial of the Wyoming Legislature asking
that the time for the expiration of the
Careys act be extended ten years. He
also introduced a bill making such
provision. The Carey act which al
lows arid states to select 100000 acres
of public lands for the proceeds of
which shall be spent for irrigation pur
poses, expires next August. Senator
Warren also introduced a bill giving
railroads. pipe lines and canal right
of way across public lands and the
right to use timber and stone from land
adjacent to said right of way.
The annual report of the secretary
of the interior shows that there were
disposed of during the fiscal year end
ed June 80, 1903, public lands aggre-
eating %, ,S24 1886 acres, classified as
follows: Cash sales, 3.073, ,S96.99 acres;
miscellaneous entries. embracing home
steads land warrants, scrip locations,
state selections, swamp lands, railroad
and wagon road selections, Indian al
lotments, etc, 1857 .031.10 acres, and
Indian lands, 1881 sc acres, showing
an increase of S,335, 764.35 acres as COM
pared with the aggregate disposals for
the preceding fiscal year.
Democratic Congressman Rainey of
Illinois in the House said the Panama
canal now is an assured fact. He had
no criticism TO make regarding the
recognition of the new republic, but
expressed the hope that free govern
ment will be given the Philippines,
who he said. yielded unwillingly to
American authority. He saw no objec-
ton to the policing of isthniian waters
and the prevention of the landing of
Colombian troops. In addition to con-
struction of the Panama canal. he con-
tended for the construction of deep
water way from the Great Lakes to ths
Gulf of Mexico.