Gilpin observer., 1904-02-11
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON AND
TRANSACTIONS OF CONGRESS

Congress on the departmental libraries
Is an order closing the fiction division
of the War Department library. The
books will be shipped to posts in vari-
GUS parts OF the country.
The House committee on Indian af-
fairs authorized a favorable report
upon the bill which has passed the
Senate authorizing the secretary of the
interior to grant rights of way for pipe
lines for conveyances of oil and gas
through Indian reservations.
President Roosevelt has instructed
the State and Navy Departments to
take effective measures to secure
reparation for the murder of an Amer
ican in San Domingo and to bring
about an immediate adjustment of
long-standing grievances of Americans
in the West Indian republic.
Assistant Secretary of State Loomis
transmitted to the House memorial
from the Wales Island Packing Com
pany Of New York praying for RELIEF,
on the ground that the decision of
the Alaskan boundary tribunal placed
its canning plant on the Canadian side,
which, it is contented, will prevent the
continuance of the business of the con-
cern.
General Sanchez, the newly-appoint-
ed Dominican minister, called at the
State Department and left note ex-
pressing regret for the killing of John
ston, the machinist, on the United
States gunboat Yankee. The minister
had not heard from his government,
but presented the note on his own re-
sponsibility. He promised that steps
would be taken to punish the guilty
persons.
By unanimously agreeing to a reso-
luton amending the rules Of the House.
February End. the resident commission
er to Congress from Porto Rico was
given additional authority equal in all
essential respects to that of dele
gate from territory, the action not
requiring the concurrence of the Sen
ate. The speaker announced amid ap-
plause the appointment of Mr.. Degetau,
the Porto Rican commissioner. as
member of the House committee on in
sular affairs.
Senator Teller recently received let
ters from Colorado and Wyoming citi-
zens residing near the Colorado-Wy-
oming boundary line requesting him
to ascertain the accuracy Of the state
line. The commissioner of the gen.
eral land Office in response to Senator
Teller inquiry, replied that there was
no doubt of the correct position Of the
line; that it had been determined as
Economically in 1873 by expert survey
ors and had been verified many times
since by land Office surveyors. The
line is at present marked by stone and
wooden boundary posts.
The secretary of the interior has ap-
proved the setting aside of $2.250,0O0
nf ha of fund fnr tho {rr-i-
CATION project on the north side of the
Shoshone river, in the Big Horn basin
Of Wyoming, provided that satisfac-
tory rights to land and water can be
secured. This project provides for the
construction of the storage reservoir
in Shoshone river and canal head
ing in the canon above Cody. 1t will
provide water for approximately 90,-
900 acres on the north side of the river
in Big Horn county. The entire dis
tance from Garland to Cody station
will be under the canal system adjacent
to the Big Horn basin extension of the
Burlington G Missouri River railroad.
The Senate committee on agriculture
\ on the 9th inst. gave a hearing to
Senator Teller's bill appropriating
$250,000 to conduct experiments to nom
corn-growing states and territories in
lHc DTetuluS anu lttuluS VI luc NdllOuS
classes of live stock for market and in
growing crops and forage plants adapt
ed to these purposes. w. l.. Carlyle,
professor of agriculture in the college
at Fort Collins, Colorado; L. H. Grubb,
a member of the board of regents of the
same college. and Secretary Of Agricul-
ture Wilson all spoke in favor of such
q bill. The committee favors the meas
ure, but it is agreed that the amount
asked for is far greater than will be
appropriated as a preliminary move
ment.
1t is declared that western members
of Congress who are working for state
hood for the territories are of opinion
that the situation is acute and the ter
ritories are "up against it." Arizona
is the great stumbling block. 1t is con-
sidered to have too small population
to be made state by itself. So is
New Mexico. While New Mexico is
half inclined to agree to jointure with
Arizona, the latter is violently opposed
to it. Opponents of statehood would
much rather not see New Mexico and
Arizona admitted. even jointly. for q
few years to come. II these two terri
tories do not get together and agree to
come in as states, 1t is believed their
chances to come in hereafter, either
separately or jointly, for at least u
generation will be lost.
Complete investigation Of the pro-
tests against Senator Reed Smoot re-
tanning his seat in the United States
Senate will begin March 1st before the
committee on privileges and elections.
The committee agreed to this date at
a meeting held February 9Th and
| Chairman Burrows was given unlim-
| tied power to summon witnesses II
| such a course shall be found to be
necessary. A list of twenty witnesses
was submitted by the protestants and
most Of these will be present soon af-
| ter March 1st. 1t was determined that
the hearing Of the case shall be public.
| The protestants who are now organic
L.. 90 ta hn aab tpu