The Holly chieftain., 1903-01-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS


Representative Cushman of Wash
ington has introduced bill carrying
an appropriation of $4,000 for the
promotion of salmon culture in Alaska.
The secretary of war has submitted
TO the House an estimate OF $is5.ooO
for the laying OF cable to connect the
headquarters of the Department OF the
Columbia with the military telegraph
system in Alaska.
At cabinet meeting it was decided
not TO accept the resignation of Mrs.
Minnie Cox. the colored postmaster at
Indianoia, Mississippi, where the post
Office has been closed owing to riot
Gus demonstrations due to race preju-
dice. II is felt by the administration
that to accept the resignation at this
time would establish a bad precedent.
In an opinion handed down by JUS
tice Brown on the 5th instant, the
United States Supreme Court decided
IN the Browns case that the money
paid by the Russian government on
sugar exported is bounty and that
the collector of customs at Baltimore
was justified in leyying counteryail-
ing duty on Russian sugar under the
terms of the Dingley law.
In the Senate the bill for the re-
demption OF the silver coinage OF the
Hawaiian islands and its recoinage
into United States coin was passed az
ter an hours debate. II provides for
the redemption OF silver coins by being
received either IN Hawaii or the Unit
ed States in the payment of dues.
lar ell ri M nf
States may be exchanged for coin of
Hawaii at their face value.
Representative Bell is making an ef-
fort to have incorporated in the sundry
civil appropriation bill an item of
5000, ,0O0 for the purchase of machinery,
appliances and furniture for the Den
yer mint and for an extension OF the
limit of cost of mint machinery from
$50, 900 as fixed by the sundry civil act
of June 6. 1900. to s225,000. This has
been recommended by Director Of the
Mint Roberts and Secretary Shaw.
The United States Supreme Court
has decided in the case of certain kio-
wa and other Indians instituted against
Secretary Hitchcock to prevent the
opening of lands in Oklahoma, that the
secretary was within his rights as an
executive officer of the government and
could not be enjoined. Hence that II
the complaining Indians were entitled
to any relief they must go to the leg
islative branch of the government, and
not to the courts.
The President has selected Col. Ed
ward NJ. Hayes, Thirteenth infantry
for appointment as brigadier general
to succeed Gen. John A. Johnston, up
on the resignation Of the latter, which
will follow Immediately upon his con-
firmation by the Senate. Colonel
Hayes Is lying at the point of death
at Fort Meade, South Dakota. He is
the officer of longest commission in
the United States army, which he en-
tered as boy of thirteen.
The House committee on insular af
fairs agreed to favorably report the
bill introduced by Representative
Cooper of Wisconsin to establish
currency system in the Philippines,
with certain amendments, one change
proposed being that the gold coin of
the United States and the silver coin
authorized in the bill shall be legal
tender in the islands. The bill as in
troduced provided that lawful money
OF the United States should be legal
tender.
Mr.. Russell Of Texas, successor Of
the late Mr.. De Graffenreid. criticised
the House for undue haste in the con-
sideration Of private pension legisla-
ton, and precipitated quite debate
He called attention to the fact that
since the Civil War 10000 special bills
had been passed by Congress. over
200 OF these in the first session Of
the Evesent Congress. Mr.. Lacey of
Iowa said the cases before Congress
were cases in which the general pen
sion laws could not give relief. The
fact that only 10000 bills had passed
in forty years. he thought sufficient
proof OF the care and discrimination
exercised by Congress.
The committee on legislation of the
Grand Army Of the Republic has been
in session at the Ebbitt House. 1t
considered mainly pending legislation
for the aid Of veterans in seeking ap-
pointment to the public service. A
subcommittee was appointed consist
ing of Chairman Joseph W. Kay, New
York, and George H. Patrick. Alaba-
ma. and they visited the President and
postmaster general Friday in the in
terest Of legislation to prefer those
who served the Union in the army or
navy In the Civil War In appoint
ments, retentions or promotions in
the public service over other persons
The committee returned home salts
fed with the results Of its efforts.
Senator McLaurin of Mississippi has