The Holly chieftain., 1904-01-15
EVENTS In WASHINGTON AND
TRANSACTIONS OF CONGRESS

Representative Mondell of Wyoming
has introduced a bill to aid in main
tainance of schools of mines. II pro-
yides ap appropriation of 10000 for
the first year and $1,000 additional
yearly until the annual appropriation
is $50, 900 for each State and territory
maintaining a school of mines or min
ing department in connection with
state educational institution already
established. Funds are to be derived
from sales of public lands in states
not contributing to the national irri-
cation fund. These sales aggregate
about half a million dollars yearly at.
present. Mr.. Mondell also introduced
bills as follows: To grant right OF
way through reservations for reser-
voir and pipe lines; to grant free med
ical and surgical treatment to honor
ably discharged soldiers and sailors;
to extend for ten years the privilege
OF taking up lands under the Carey
land act.
The views of the minority of the
Senate committee on military affairs.
protesting against the confirmation of
General Leonard Wood to be major
general. have been prepared in the
form of a brief to be used by the op-
ponents of this nomination when the
reports Of the committee are present
ed for the action Of the Senate in ex-
ecutive session. The brief follows the
testimony introduced before the Sem
ate committee in the investigation
which was begun on November 18th,
and continued until December 18th,
directing the attention of senators to
passages in the printed report of the
testimony and emphasizing the
charges which were made before the
committee.
In the Senate on the 7th inst, Sena-
tor Morgan took the floor to answer
a speech made by Senator Lodge. Mr.
Morgan described de facto, de jure
and independent governments. and
speaking of Panama said independence
was lawful case of the future and not
dependent upon the recognition of the
United States of de facto govern
ment on the isthmus. He said the
President was not justified in making
facts to give him the right to recog-
nize the government best suited to his
purpose. Colombia is the mother gov
ernment of Panama" said Mr. Morgan,
land we neither the father nor the mo-
ther." And l am compelled TO cay"
said Mr. Morgan, that tomorrow, ifthe
United States government should with
draw its fleet and marines from the
isthmus or confine their operations to
the protection of their RAILROAD. and not
to the passage across the isthmus, Co
lombia would march in and capture
those eight men who organized the
Don ~,
and their following of foreigners, ne
groes, Indians and Cinnamon, from the
isthmus."
The question of opening the Indian
reservations, comprising nearly
100, 100000 acres, was considered by the
House committee on Indian affairs
The Indian commissioners was heard
at length by the committee and he took
the position that to throw the lands
open to settlement was the proper and
speediest way to elevate the Indian and
to settle for all time the Indian ques-
ton. He said this course should be
pursued with the consent of the Indians
if possible, but if not, Congress should
take the action necessary to insure
the settlement of the lands by whites,
all property values to be guaranteed to
the Indians who owned the lands.
The House has made available $780,
900 to be used to meet the emergency
caused by the ravage of the cotton
boil weevil and other insects affecting
cotton. The measure was ADOPTED with
out division. The sum is to be diverted
from the 100000 appropriated last year
to eradicate the foot and mouth dis
ease among cattle. The bill provides
that the sum m.Ss available may be
expended by the secretary of agricul-
ture in such manner as he shall deem
best, in cooperation with state ex-
pertinent stations and practical cotton
growers, if the secretary of agricul-
ture shall deem it advisable to meet the
emergency caused by the ravages OF
the cotton boil weevil and other in
sects affecting cotton.