The Elbert County tribune., 1903-03-12
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

The Senate committee on military nf-
fairs made n report setting forth its
purpose OF not advising tho connrma-
tion OF some 200 brevct commissions
sent in last year by the President. Sew
eral Coloradoans who served In tho
war with Spain were mentioned In
these nominations. Tho report of tho
committee says that brovet commits
slons cannot. according to law. be be-
slowed except In time OF war. As war
Is not supposed To exist at the present
time the nominations will not be favor
ably reported
During the last session OF the cxpir-
Ing Congress Colorado delegates So
cured substantial appropriations for
the completion OF tho Denver mint and
the Colorado Springs postofiice A
term OF the United States Court was
established at Montrose, the eo-opera-
tive colony in Montezuma county got
an extension OF its time for entry to
government lands. Montrose secured
site for water works and arrange
ments were made whereby n tract of
Indian lands where the remains of thu
clin dwullers are located will be soon
turned into government reservation.
A full score of bills granting PENSIONS
and Increases OF pensions to Colorado
veterans OF tho Civil War were passed.
Substantial improvements VIII bo
made at the Grand Junction Indian
School and Leadville FISH hatchery
with appropriations which Colorado
senators and Representatives secured
In the conference of the two houses
on the naval appropriation bill tho
Senate surrendered on the principal
item OF disagreement, the amendment
relating to the Increase of the navy.
Tho provision as agreed on proyides
for three batileships OF 10000 tous dis
placement and two battleships OF 49,
coo tona displacement. and entirely
eliminates the provision for cruisers.
The effect OF the agreement is that
the House programme is accepted. ex-
cept that two 13.000-tun battleshipa arc
substituted for one cruiser. 1t is pro-
vided that the ships authorized may bo
built by contract. or ut the navy yards.
and shall be built Mt the navy yards II
It Is found that combination of ship
builders exists. The provision for nn
Increase In the personnel of the pavy
remains as the bill passed the House.
including an Increase In number OF
midshipmen. but the increase is TO con-
tinue until 1913. instead Of 1909. as
Dxod by the Senate. Porto Rico is
given midshipman. The age limit
for admission to the academy is fixed
at from i6 to 20 yenrs. The provision
for naval hospital at Washington to
cost Si25.OOO remains. while that for
an army and navy hospital In New
Mexico is stricken out. The item OF
S250.000 for coal depots and an In
crease In the appropriation for dry
docks already authorized 10 out, like
wise the provision for a monument to
Charles v. Gridley.
The report OF tho conferees on tho
sundry civil appropriation bill. which
was presented to tho Senate, shows
that OF the incroaso made by the Sem
ate the House conceded S2.423006 and
the Senate recedcd from items amount
ing In the aggregate to 4202. .325. Tho
principal items OF recession were those
making appropriations for the pro-
| posed new post Office building In New
| York, for the extension OF the immi-
grafton station at Ellis island and for
the payment of the claim OF ex-Queen
| LiliuDkalani. Az the bill becomes a
law II carries a total appropriation of
| $82 ,272 ,g55. an increase OF $22, ,109 595
over the amount carried by last ses-
slon's act. The appropriation OF $780,
900 for the proposed monetary confer
ence was retained. AZ was also that OF
100000 to pay the expenses OF tho
Alaskan boundary commission. but the
SENATE receueu from ltB hmenument
| for the revival OF the joint high COM.
mission for the settlement OF differ
| ences with Canada The House pro-
vision for the enlargement OF the cap
ltol went out. but the provision for n
building 10 be used ms Offices and COM
mittee rooms for the House OF repre-
sentatives was retained. The Senate
amendment looking to the construction
OF similar building for the Sennta
was disagreed to. The Senate pro
vision for the beginning OF the con-
struction of the new Department OF
! Agriculture building remains in the bin
as does the provision authorizing the
beginning of the construction of now
building for the national museum in
Washington to cost when completed
s3500.000. The conferees also left un-
disturbed the provision allowing the
coinage OF subsidiary silver. without
regard to the amount outstanding. The
amount appropriated for military posts
was compromised and placed at 81
100000.
Both Sides Of the Shield.