Gilpin observer., 1903-01-08
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

During the present week and for
some time to come the omnibus state
hood bill will be the chief topic Of dis
cussion on the floor, but under the
unanimous agreement by which the bill
was made the unfinished business, it
cannot be taken. up any day before 2
o'clock. 1t Is the purpose of the friends
Of the bill to press consideration, and
not allow the bill to be side-tracked
unless under very great pressure. The
present purpose is to give way only for
appropriation bills; but there are now
NO appropriation bills on the Senate
calendar. 1t is the purpose of the sena-
torial leaders, and especially those who
oppose the statehood bill, to pass ap-
preparation bills to the front as. much
as possible.
The attention of the officers Of the
administration charged with the di-
rection Of Philippine affairs is being
called to q dispatch from Rome to the
effect that Secretary Hay has written
to the Vatican that Mgr. Messmer Of
Green Bay. Wisconsin, is impossible
for the position Of Bishop of Manila
because of a speech which he recently
made before the Catholic Truth Feder-
alton. The statement was made in the
most emphatic terms that there was
absolutely no foundation for the story.
1t was further declared that in no sin
gle instance has the United States gov
ernment allowed itself to be placed in
the position of debating the personal
ity of any priest or church official who
is to go or stay in the Philippines
1t has been semi-officially announced
that Assistant Commissioner W. A.
Richards will succeed Commissioner
Hermann of the general land office
and that Mr.. Richards successor will
be John H. Fimple of Carrollton, Ohio.
Assistant Commissioner Richards is
receiving a large number of congratu-
latory kilograms from western sena-
tors and members Of Congress. He is
regarded as particularly well equipped
for the position as commissioner, hav
ing been connected with the public
land business since 1869. In this Pc
riod he has been county surveyor of
Santa Clara county, California; county
surveyor of Ell Paso county, Colorado,
and city engineer of Colorado Springs.
He surveyed the southern and west
ern boundary of Wyoming, was sur
veyor general of Wyoming for four
years and governor of that state for
four years.
The Interior Department has an
nounced the abolition of the ONCE Of
superintendent of forest reserves for
Wyoming and Colorado, and the ser
vice of Forest Superintendent C. w.
Garbutt of Sheridan. Wyoming ceased
December 31st. Following the policy
announced about year ago by Secre-
tary Hitchcock, the ONCE OF forest su-
perintendent of the various reserves
has been abolished until, with the clos
ing of the Wyoming and Colorado Of
fice but two remain, one in New Mexi-
co and one in California and these are
to be abolished soon. Ths work per-
formed by the superintendent is now
done by the supervisors. The Wyom-
ing delegation in Congress made an
earnest effort to have Mr. Garbutt re-
tained, but Secretary Hitchcock insist
ed that his plan Of operating the for
estry service should prevail.
A valuable collection of relics of the
tour of President and Mrs. Grant
around the world has just been placed
for the first time on public exhibition
in the National museum. Their trans
fer to the government was provided
for in the will of Mrs. Grant, to whom
they were originally presented. They
consist of an ancient Japanese cabinet
of exquisite lacquer work. inlaid with
gold, presented by the Empress of Ja-
vases, embossed, blazoned and decorat-
ed, presented by the Emperor of Ja-
pan; q lady's gold dressing case in the
shape of an urn, with several smaller
cups, the gift of the King and Queen
of Siam; a lady's silver perfume toilet
set Of monumental and classical de-
sign, the fine filigree, and a chest con-
tanning old manuscripts, including
poems and other writings of great an
tiQuity. The collection was placed be-
side that Of General Grants relics,
which have been in the government
custody for several years.
President Roosevelt's New Years
reception was one Of the most brilliant
events in Washingtons recent social
history. All callers were afforded the
opportunity of greeting the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt and exchanging
with them the compliments of the New
Year. No distinctions were made ex-
cept such as were rendered necessary
In preservation of order and the greet
ings extended to all-high and low,
rich and poor-were alike cordial and
sincere. The general public for the
first time had an opportunity to see the
widely heralded improvements in the
White House-improvemen which.
when completed. will have cost about
$500, 900. In addition to a desire per-
sonally to wish the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt happy new year. hundreds
were attracted by wish to see the
White House in its new and handsome
interior finish and furnishing. The
White House was first opened for a
New Years. reception by President
John Adams and wife 102 years ago.
scientists in session at Washington.
Ellis II. Roberts, treasurer OF the Unit
al ha, fad IN M