Gilpin observer., 1904-12-22
LATEST WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

Inc 0SuhLe mas COnnrmeQ ROBERT N.
Dunn, register of the land office at
Couer d. Alene, Idaho; George H.
Moulton. Colorado. consul at George.
town, Demerara, Guiana.
A bill amending the law preventing
the carrying of obscene or immoral
literature into any state or territory,
SO as to prevent the importation or
expectation of such matter passed in
the House.
The House passed the bill providing
a penalty not to exceed 81, 900 or one
years Imprisonment, or both, for any
one who knowingly pastures stock on
any forest reserve of the United
States without proper permits.
Russia has submitted to this gov
ernment a new form of arbitration
treaty which that country is willing
to negotiate. AS the Russian draft DIFF
fers radically from that suggested by
Secretary Hay 1t Is expected the nego-
tations will require some time.
A treaty Of arbitration between Italy
and the United States was signed De-
cember 14th at the State Department
by Baron Mayor Des Planches. the
italian ambassador, and Secretary
Hay. The treaty is identical with
other arbitration treaties signed by
this country.
The District Of Columbia Court OF
Appeals has affirmed the decision OF
the Criminal Court in the postal con-
spiracy case Of August w. Machen,
George F. Lorenz. Samuel A. Groff and
Dtller B. Groff. who were sentenced to
two years Imprisonment in the West
Virginia penitentiary and to pay fine
Of $4,000.
Senator Scott of West Virginia by
request introduced bill, also pre-.
sented in the House by Representative
Hogg. providing for the payment Of
1880 to George Ivers of Boone. Pueblo
county, Colorado. as administrator of
William Ivers. for rent and loss of the
decedents warehouse at Santa Fe,
which was burned during the civil
War.
In the Senate on the 18th inst. res
olution was adopted fixing the date for
the reception of the statue of former
Senator John ]. Ingalls,, contributed to
Statuary hall by the state of Kansas.
for January 21st next The following
bills were passed: Restoring to the
public domain a portion of the ella
river Indian reservation in Arizona.
Confirming proofs under public land
laws when made outside the land dis
trict within which the land may be sit
uated.
Mr.. Spooner in the Senate attacked
ths provision in the Philippine govern
ment bill providing for guarantee by
the Philippine government Of the In
terest on bonds on railroads in those
islands. He said the Philippine COM
mission should not be authorized to
make such guarantee. Replying to .
suggestion by Mr.. Newlands, that the
Philippine government build the rail.
roads themselves. Mr.. Spooner said he
was not much captivated with the idea
OF government ownership Of railroads.
II the government, under any circum-
stances. was to guarantee dividends
on stock. the railroad company ought
not to be permitted to put oD that prop
erty a mortgage lien ahead Of that
stock without the consent of Congress.
The House committee on public
lands decided by a vote Of 10 to to
postpone indefinitely consideration Of
a bill to repeal the timber and stone
act. The members OF the committee
voting against postponement were
Chairman Lacey. Needham, California:
Miller. Kansas: Volstead, Minnesota.
The bill in question passed the Senate
at the last session and 1t was thought
that 1t would pass the House without
opposition. During the. time 1t was
pending In the House the disclosure
was made that George H. Maxwell, an
apostle OF the land law repeal. was at
the head Of q railway lobby and was
receiving $4,000 yearly to advocate
the repeal OF the land laws. This dis.
credited all efforts at land law repeal
and undoubtedly caused the radical
change in sentiment evident regarding
the timber and stone act repeal bill.
fhe Senate committee on territories.
by vote Of to 4. authorized favor
able report on the statehood bill pro-
viding for the admission into the
Union Of Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory to become the state of Oklahoma
and Of Arizona and New Meyico, to be-
come the state OF Arizoua. The bill
Is the one originating in the House in
the second session OF the Fifty-eighth
Congress, but has been amended ma
terially by the Senate committee. The
rlost important changes made In the
House bill are the insertion Of clause
prohibiting traffic IN liquor for q period
OF ten years In that portion Of the pro-
posed state Of Oklahoma now known
as Indian Territory and the elimina-
ton from the House bill Of all provis-
ion with reference to suffrage except
the following: THAT said state shall
never enact any law restricting or
abridging the right Of Suffrage on ac-
count Of race. color or previous condi-
tion of servitude."
Orders have been issued for an In
vestigation OF the case of Secretary
lumber OF the Rural Carriers Associa-
tion. whose signature as signed to
papers in the publication of postal au.
thoritiea WAS ON the circular letter sent