Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-28
Vermont Delegation Very Busy
in Some Of the Important
Matters before Congress.
PROCT0R'S MILITARY FIGHT
VIII Have Long Struggle I'm Senate over
Woods PrOmOtion-Scn. Dilling-
ham Must Give Much Time to
Reed SmOot's Cnsc-EngnEcd
I'm Intcrests of Alaska.

Washington, ID. c., Jan. 2i.-Probably
there is no delegation in Congress whose
individual members are all as busly
Cupicd just now as those from YER
mont. All but one of them are on COM
mittecs that have to do with framing
the great supply bills. That one I. Sena-
tor Dillingham; and hi. hands arc even
more fun of work than his other Vermont
colleagues.
Senator Proctor is virtually chairman
of two important committees at this ses-
sion, which is not true OF any other
senator He is the chairman of the agri-
cultural committee, which later on in the
session, Will have to digest the asrcul-
tural appropriation bill. and he will have
charge of that bill on the floor Of the
Senate. Mr. Proctor is also acting chair
man of the committee on military affairs.
one OF the most important committees
of the Senate. That committee has been
occupied for about a month with the in
vcstigation of the nomination Of Leonard
Wood to be major general and while that
part Of the task is now completed there
is long fight ahead on the floor Of the
Senate, which will probably last Tor two
or three weeks That committee also
passes upon hundreds Of army nomna-
tions at this session. not to mention
great deal of legislation for the army
md the army appropriation bill which
is always a troublesome measure in the
Senate.
Senator Dillingham; is just now dipping
into lot OF hard work on the committee
on privileges and elections, which has
the consideration Of the Reed Smoot
case. AS things look now that means 4
long ana tedious task. Mr.. DillinEham
is chairman of the committee on immi-
grafton, that has several important bills
to consider, none OF which, however, will
probably be taken UP in the Senate at
this session. But Mr.. Dillingham; /, also
n leading member Of the committee on
territories and there he is Identified with
the earnest efforts to secure legislation.
long deferred but much needed for the
territory OF Alaska. Mr.. Dillingham; is
regarded is the best authority in the
Senate on Alaska for he visited the terri
tory last summer and has given most
careful study TO the problems there. The
junior Vermont senator has been steadily
growing in the estimation Of the Senate
and when he forms Judgment IN any
question Of public interest it carries great
weight at that end Of the Capiol
The committee on territories will also
probably have the statehood question TO
deal with later in the session. Mr. Dill
lngham was one Of the leaders in the
Senate last session on that question and
there Is every reason to suppose that
he will occupy an influential position
when the fight is renewed
Thus it will be seen that both the Yer
mont senators have a busy programme
ahead of them practically all this session
OF Congress
over in tho House Of Representatives
Foster is a member of the committee on
foreign affairs, which has been preparing
the consular and dploma tic appropria-
ton bill. That has involved prolonged
bearings OF different officials in III. State
department and the consideration Of num-
erous questions affecting the salsii-. Of
ministers and cOnsul.,
Representative Haskins is one OF the
members Of the committee on agriculture
which has been diligently at work pre-
pairing the agricultural appropriation bill.
and has been giving time to extended
HEARINGS in that committee.
PETITIONS FOR VERMONT.
The Reed Smoot petitions continue To
come in from Vermont. Senator Proc
tor hes presented petitions Of tho Metho-
dist Episcopa Church at Bellows Fails.
OF the Methodist, Congregational, and
Baptist Churches at Georgia, VI. and
OF the Methodist and congregational
Churches and the Home Mission society,
the Literary club, and tho Woman.
Relief Corps, all OF Swanton, asking
that the charges against Senator sroot
be thoroughly investigated, They went -
the Senate committee on privileges and
elections OF which Senator Dillingham;
is member
Senator Proctor has also present ID the
petitions of the Women's Christian Tenn
Ierance Union of Mortified asking that
legislation be enacted to prohibit the sale
OF intoxicating liquors in all government
buildings and also to regulate the inter
state transportation of intoxicants. a
petition on the latter subject has also
been presented by Mr. Proctor from tho
Womans Christian Temperance Union
of Burlington.
Representative Haskins has presented
petition OF the Universallst Church At
Woodstock, Vt, asking for the passage
Of the Hepburn Pure Food bin which was
recently considered in the House OF Rep
resentatives.
BILL IN INTEREST OF c. II. ROBB.
a bill, introduced by Representative
Haskins, is pending before the House
judiciary committee to Increase IA a. h10