Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-02-27
CONGRESSIONAL.


agreement, the bill will continue to
cut a figure in the proceedings
whether 1t be technically under con-
sideration or not, just as it has done
during the greater part of the session.
If the canal treaty is proceeded with,
the statehood bill will do much to
shape its course; if the treaty is put
aside and the appropriation bills
taken up, the statehood bill will pre-
sent itself in the shape of riders on
those bills. Some of the Republican
leaders of the senate who are opposed
to the omnibus statehood bill held an
extended conference Saturday and per-
fected the compromise measure, the
provisions of which already have been
published. Among those at the con-
ference were Senators Allison, Aid
rich, Cullom, Hanna, Spooner, Lodge
and Plat of Connecticut. 1t is stated
on excellent authority that Senator
Quay is anxious that the compromise
bill be adopted, and he is urging the
Democrats to accept it. The latter,
however, are holding out more stiffly
than ever for the omnibus measure.
It was decided at the conference, Sat
urday to submit the compromise bill
to the statehood eRpublicans and to
the Democrats at the earliest possible
moment in an endeavor to secure their
consent to it.
The house enters the last full week
of the session with the decks practi-
cally cleared of everything except ap-
preparation bills. Only one OF these,
the general deficiency, which was re-
ported Saturday, remains to be passed.
Several interesting contents are ex-
pected during the consideration of the
questions of the adjusting the differ
ences between the two houses on a
number of bills in conference. Espe-
cially spirited would be the fight over
the proposition to accept statehood
amendment If one should come to the
house as rider on an appropriation
bill. It would command the solid sup
port of the Democratic side and it Is
believed enough Republicans to accept
It, although 1t would be strongly re-
sisted by the Republican leaders.
George B. Cortelyou Wednesday took
the oath of office as secretary of the
new department Of commerce and Ia
Dor. Coincidentally with the induction
of Mr.. Cortelyou into his new office,
William Loeb. jr., private secretary to
the president, was sworn as secretary
to the president.
Senator Burton improved an oppor-
tunlty during the executive session Of
the senate Friday to make a rousing
speech on statehood. He was given
unanimous consent to speak on this
subject, and, although the proceedings
of an executive session are secret, it
is known that the Kansas senator
mdae a decided hit and is generally
credited with having made the best
statehood speech so far delivered in
the senate. Senator Elkins said 1t
was the best presentation of the case
which the senate had listened to. Sem
ator Hoar expressed himself in similar
terms. Several senators have asked
Burton to repeat it in open session,
SO that it may go into the record.
The resolution which passed the
senate providing that Rear Admiral
Schley be given the pay and allow
ance of a rear admiral on the active
list was called up in the house COM
mittee on naval affairs Friday. The
resolution was tabled. Messrs. Mudd,
of Maryland: Tate, of Georgia. and
Rixey, of Virginia, voted against
tabling the resolution.
Senator Burton and Mr.. Miller OF
Kansas, Friday introduced reform
measure which authorizes the secre-
tary of the interior to exchange pub
lie lands, which are vacant, unappro-
priated. arid or semi-arid, not mineral,
not timbered and not required for
reservoir sites or other public uses or
purposes, for private lands of like
area, character and value in the alter
nate sections granted to railroad COM
panies. The bill is for the purpose OF
providing for the better separation
and utilization of public and private
lands within the limits. of railroad
land grants in the arid and semi-arid
regions of Kansas. The public lands
exchanged must be of such relative
continguity to private lands surren-
dered to the government that the
area of taxable lands in the state or
any county will not be diminished.
The railroad company or its grantee
must at it's expense and by appro-
pirate instruments of conveyance sur
render to the government full and
unincumbered right and title to the
private lands included in any ex-
change before patents are issued for
the public lands included therein and
no charge whatever shall be made for
issuing such patents. Upon the COM
pletion of any exchange the lands sur
rendered to the government shall be-
come a part of the public domain.
Nothing in the measure shall be con-
strued as to enlarge the quantity OF