Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-11
58TH CONGRESS.
Alaskan Bills Engross Attention
Of Upper Branch.
Passage Of Bill for Pensions for
Blind Soldiers.
House Adjou-ns Out Ct Respect for
Dead Congressman.

Washington, March 1C.-The Senate,
today, passed a number of bills relat-
ing to Alaska, but failed to act on
the measure authorizing the election
OF a delegate in Congress from that
territory. Mr.. Plat OF Connecticut
opposed the bill and because of his
opposition and his desire for time for
discussion, it was rot pressed.
The Alaskan bills passed included
those for the improvement of roads,
teh maintenance of schools, the APP
pointment of an additional judge and
the extension of the cCal law to the ter
rtory.
Several other bills were passed, in
Guiding one increasing to $10O per
month the pensions of eX-soldiers who
have become totally blind on account
OF service.
The bills codifying the laws relative
to municipal corporations and extend
ing the coal land laws of the United
States to Alaska, were passed without
and discussion or objection.
Sir Mortimer Durand, the British am
bassador, and his daughter We're inter-
ested spectators at the beginning Of The
session of the Senate, today. They occu-
pied front seats in the diplomatic gal
lery.
In the course of the routine morning
business the Senate reached the reSolu-
ton introduced by Carmack directing the
secretary of the treasury 10 send to the
Senate the papers relating to tho nomina
| ton of H. Smith Wooley. the Mormon
bishop whose nomination to be superin-
tcDdent Of the assay Office at Boise, Ida
| no, is pending before the Senate 1t look
| ed for Il few moments as if there would
| lao tod O. ish p, bod
| of consideration, but the question was
! postponed for a day. as today has beer
set apart for Alaskan legislation.
| ElOar gave notice that he would make
and Allison that he would second a mo-
j ton to consider the resolution in execu-
I tive session when it comes up.
Bills were passed authorizing the award
of brevet commissions for gallant con-
y duct on the rart of army officers in Chi
ma and the Philippines Increasing to slUd
per month the pensions OF eX-soldierS and
eX-sa:lorS OF the United States who have
lost both eyes or become totally blind or!
account of their service. In connection
with the pension bill. McCumber. chair
man n the committee on pensions stated
that coo cases were covered by the pro-
visions of the bill and that the increased
cost 10 the government would be Sl0l, 600
annually.
The bill authorizing n judge. in add
ton to the three already provided for.
| in Alaska, was, after explanations by
Beveridgc, Nelson and Dillingham;, allow
the bill providing for the election of q
delegate in Congress from Alaska was
next considered.
Nelson supported the bill. saying that
his tour through Alaska, last summer.
as 4 member of the Senate committee
on territories. had convinced him that the
people of that territory We're entitled to
, representation in Congress.
-, Plat (CtD suggested an amendment
providing that the act shall not be accept
ed as indicating that Alaska al any time
. hereafter shall be admitted as a state tC
the Union.
Foraker moved an amendment by au-
thOriZing a delegate from Porto Rico. He
advocated a rule for the limitation of de
bate as the best means of securing action
on any bill under consideration.
j While Plat was still speaking, Foraker
who hau been in conference with the
!, friends OF the Alaskan bill. moved an eX-
!, | ecutive session at 40 +. NJ. There WAS
1 no objection The doors We're reopeneC
l at 40 O'Clock, when announcement was
made of the death of Representative
Croft Of South Carolina. The Chair APP
l pointed Tilman, Latimer. Fulton, Clark
(Arkl and McI.aurin a committee to at
: | tend the funeral, and at li2 as a furthe
| mark of respect. the Senate. on motion o
McIaurin, adjourned.