New-York tribune., 1903-03-25
an ALASKAN JUNKET.
Senators Planning to Tisit the T'erri'
tory at Government ETpe1sse.
[Br zz1reRAPH TO TEE TRIBUNE. ]

tBY EBLEGRAPH TO TIE T856UHEl
Washington, A4arch 24-The cider members OF
the Senate commenting with qualification, not
unmtxed with anxiety, On resolution Whlcn
passed the upper chamber IN the closing hours OF
the session, and which. owing doubt to the
press of legislation, did not then recevs the at
tention IT deserved This resolution authorizes the
Committee on Territories, of which Senator BeVer-
idge is chairman. by sub-commttse or otherwise,
sit in the recess "at such times and places as
1t may fit, and to consider proposed bills. or
bills to be proposed relative to the Distr1ct OF
Alaska.
Being translated from the customary parlia-
rnentary form, this resolution authorizes a SUD-
committee of the Committee Territories to go
to Alaska at the expense of the government ano
take such testimony and make such observations as
II may dt, and according TO present plans the
subcommittee Will consist Of Senators Beveridge,
Nelson and Patterson
Prominent Senator'S including some of the
better thought members, are not unmindful OF
the fact that Senator Beveridge. at a period when
affairs in the Philippines were in q somewhat
chaotic condition valiantIy journeyed to those dis
tsut islands and that every occasion when infor-
nation has been needed in regard to Philippine a-
fairs he has chesrfuly enlightened the on the
subject. frequently embelnshIng his comprehensive
descriptions with interesting details Of personal ex-
pere Senators also recall the fact that when Mr.
Quay craftiy committed the Senate to the consider
alton of the Omnibus Statehood bill in the closing
hours of the first session OF the LVIIth Congress- Mr.
lar to the above quoted and, in the torrid heat
of the last summer herocaly traversed the deserts
of Arizona, the mountain fastnesseS Of New-Mexi-
and the Indian trails of Oklahoma in q Pullman
car, saved the Senate from the error OF grant
ing Statehood to the aspiring Territories by the
abundance and depth Of the information which ne
generously impaired to his colleagues at all hours
and all occasions.
The Statehood bill has been defeated, but there
looms the horizon the opportunities OF
AlaEksns, bent securing revised laws and
greater opportunities. Again The Junior Senator
from Indiana comes cheerfully to the rescue ana
promises to brave the perils OF Alaskan travels
and the heats OF Arctic summer in order that
the Senate may be in exterior darkness when
the subject of Alaskan legislation comes before IT.
Almost measure of Alaskan legislation Is
likely to be referred to the Committee Terri
tories To such Senate committees those on
Mines and Mining. Public Lands. Commerce, Judi
ciary, Foreign Affairs, Protection of Game Educa-
ton and Labor and several others most OF the
bills which concern the District Of Alaska will be
referred. and that makes all the more unselfsh
the vtcarious sacrifice TO which the junior Senator
from Indiana Is submitting hirnself-a work OF
purest philanthropy, not to say OF supererogatlon
There Is also anxiety lest the sub-commlt-
tee may find 1t a herculean undertaking to con-
slider bills to be proposed" No facts have been
feature Of the undertaking. and curiosity Is ram
pant to whether clairvoyant palmist is TO
be employed for the purpose Of reducing to con-
crete form for the consideration of the committee
or Subcommittee those measures still unborn in
the brains Of present and future Sena tors but to
the consideration Of which the members Of the
Committee Territories stand committed.