Gilpin observer., 1904-01-21
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON AND
TRANSACTIONS OF CONGRESS

Inc state department mas Deeu III
formed Of the recognition of the repub-
lie of Panama by Guatemala.
The secretary of the treasury has re-
ceived an envelope postmarked San
Francisco containing a conscience con-
tribution of $780,
The House committee on judiciary
has fixed February "a, 25 and 26 as
dates for hearing on the Grosvenor an
ti-union bill. The opponents OF the
measure will be heard first.
The builders of the cruiser Denver,
which recently failed to make her re-
quired contract speed of seventeen
knots an hour, have arranged with the
Navy Department to give the vessel
another trial within few weeks.
The Senate committee On Pacific is
lands and Porto Rico has made favor
able report on Senator Blackburn's bill
to pay Liliuakalani former queen
of Hawaii, 100000 in full satisfaction
of all claims to the former crown lands
in Hawaii.
Unless Congress enacts legislation
removing the export duty on Manila
hemp shipped from the Philippines to
countries other than the United States,
France threatens to impose counter
vailing duty on hemp. products from
this country.
The Senate in executive session con-
firmed the following nominations:
Maj. Gen. Adna r. Chaffee, to be lieu
tenant general, Brig. Gen. George l..
Gillespie, to be major general; Col.
Alexander Mckenzie, to be brigadier
general and chief of engineers.
A protest which for intensity might
be styled an uproar goes up from the
10000 clerks working in the govern
ment departments in Washington, who
have been required to add one-half
hour each day to the six and one-half
hours Of labor heretofore required.
Inc Senate in executive session con-
firmed the following nominations:
William H. Taft of Ohio, secretary of
war; Luke E. Wright of Tennessee,
civil governor of the Philippine ISL
ands; Henry c. Ide of Vermont, vice
governor Of the Philippine islands.
The Senate public lands committee
reported favorably Senator Teller's
. cemetery by the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows Of Central City. and
providing for a re-survey of lands in
Routt and Rio Blanco counties, Colo
RADIO.
The first pro-Smoot petition to the
Senate was filed by Senator Patterson.
L. King of Salt Lake, who wrote that
the fight against Smoot is entirely un-
warranted. and the people of Utah. re-
gardless of creed or party. generally
favor his retention in the Senate.
The executive board of the National
Congress of Mothers, at a recent meet
ing strongly denounced Mormonism
and urged the diplomatic corps in
Washington to advise their govern
ments that Mormonism embodies po-
lygamy and. to take action to prevent
emigration to Utah. Measures to af-
ford protection from alleged false rep
reservations or Mormon missionaries
were advocated.
The following bills have been passed
by the Senate: Creating a port of deliv-
cry at Salt Lake, Utah; establishing an
Indian agricultural school at Wahpe-
ton, N. D.; providing a depot for the
revenue cutter service in the harbor
at Oakland, CAL; and extending to the
supports of Spokane, Bellingham,
Blaine and Sumas, in the state OF
Washington, the privileges OF the act
of June 10. 1880, governing the imme-
diate transportation Of dutiable mer-
chandise without appraising.
The revenue cutter service Of the
government is having trouble in find-
ing cadets and for the examination an
nounced for January 4, S, 6, for the
position there were SO few applicants
that the examination has been post
poned until February 25, &c. 27, when
it will be held in all of the principal
cities of the country. Cadets must be
not less than eighteen nor more than
twenty-five of age, not less than five
feet three inches in height, and unmar-
rled. Cadets are eligible to promotion
to the position Of second lieutenant
and by further promotion may reach
the rank Of captain. which pays sal
ary of $2,500 per annum.
About 100000 rounds of ammuni-
ton hurriedly purchased by the war
department during the war with Spain
has been found grossly defective. An
order issued Immediately after the in
ferior quality of this ammunition was
discovered will call 1t all in from the
various commands In this country and
the Philippines. No one person is held
responsible for this defect. 1t is re-
garded as natural result OF the made
quate ordnance manufacturing facili-
ties in this country at the time of the
war. Brig. Gen. William Crozier. chief
of ordnance. said that the ammunition
would not be an entire loss, as a part
of the powder could be put to other
uses. and the bullets and cartridge
cases could be employed to advantage.
A graceful act by the French people
showing their friendliness to the Unit
ed States, is about to be consummated
In the formal presentation to Congress
Of a bust of Washington. modelled in
bronze by the sculptor David Dangers,
and intended to occupy space in Stat
uary hall of Congress. M. Jusserand.
the. French ambassador. has written
letter to Secretary Hay formally pre-