Gilpin observer., 1904-01-14
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON AND
TRANSACTIONS OF CONGRESS

| Secretary Shaw has transmitted to
the House request of Secretary Root
for an appropriation of $685., 900 for new
arms and equipment for organized mi
litia.
Representative Slayden (Dem.) OF
Texas introduced a resolution in the
House requesting the President to rem
der the good Offices Of mediation OF the
United States to Russia and Japan.
Former Queen Liliuokalani Of Hawaii
has taken house in the national capf-
tai and announces that she is going to
make it her future premanent home
The house is handsome four-story
brick in a fashionable part Of the city
and the former queen has furnished 1t
in excellent taste. The parlors are
handsomely decorated, and are fur
nished with the elegance that tells OF
long enjoyed wealth.
The Postoffice Department has issued
instructions to the postmaster at Bos-
ton prohibiting postal employees from
soliciting votes in a competition. A
contest has been started by a news
paper to determine the most popular
postal employe by the largest number
of votes. A regulation forbids en-
ployes from soliciting votes in such
contests. This regulation applies to
the entire postal service.
The Senate passed the House bill
granting the right to the cities OF Phoe-
nix, Mesa and Tempe, in Arizona, to
bond themselves in order to assist the
government in building road to the
new Self river dam. The road will be
seventy-five miles in length, and will
be used at present in transporting sup
plies from the three towns to the dam,
while it is under construction. The
approximate cost will be 100000.
The public lands committee Of the
House agreed to report favorably Rep
resentative Laceys bill, setting aside
lands in northwestern Arizona, as
government reserve, which will be
known as Petrified Forest National
park. The land contains wonderful
specimens of agatized trees. Persons
having private holdings within the re-
serve will be allowed to select other
lands within the territory of Arizona.
E. E. Elwood, formerly United States
attorney for Arizona and former Gov
ernor Murphy of Arizona appeared be-
fore the committee on territories and
argued for single statehood for Ari-
IONA. They spoke Of the right of the
| tcIIllOTy, lIOu tuc olduuPOlAI VI POpu-
lation and resources, to admission to
the union. With statehood and irri-
CATION, the future of Arizona would be
assured, they contended. They did not
believe that joint statehood with New
Mexico was desirable for either of the
territories.
After the reading Of the Presidents
message the resolution of Mr.. Morgan
declaring that neither the President
nor the President and the Senate, as
| the treaty-making power of the United
States, has the lawful power to wage
or declare war against any foreign
power without the consent Of Con-
gress, when such country is. at peace
with the United States," was taken
up and Mr.. McConas (Md.). began a
| discussion of the Isthmian situation.
| He characterized the Presidents mes
sage as clearly cogent and abun-
dantly convincing presentation of the
| situation"
Senator Teller was a caller at the
Indian bureau to urge speedy action
in awarding the contract for the work
Of creating q new sewer and water sys-
tenn for the Indian school at Grand
Junction, Colorado. The last Congress
appropriated $4,000 for this work and
the Indian bureau advertised for pro-
posals. Owing to the faulty wording
of the appropriation bill, contracts for
the work have not been awarded,
though several bidders have signifed
their willingness to undertake the work
within the price specified. Senator Tel
Ter urges that the red tape technicali-
ties be overcome. the contract awarded,
and the work proceed as contemplated
by Congress.
The House has made available $780,
600 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 $500,000 appropriated last year
to eradicate the foot and mouth dis
ease among cattle. The bill provides
that the sum made 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, II the secretary of agricul-
ture shall deem 1t advisable to meet the
emergency caused by the ravages OF
the cotton boil weevil and other in
sects affecting cotton.