Gilpin observer., 1904-03-10
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON AND
TRANSACTIONS OF CONGRESS

The committee on foreign commerce
has reported in favor of the bill pend
inE in Congress authorizing the Presi-
dent to correspond with the principal
maritime powers for the extension Of
the exemption principle to private
property at sea not contraband OF war.
Justice Pritchard overruled the mo-
tion of Samuel A. Croft, one OF the
recently convicted defendants in the
postal trial, and sentenced him to two
years in the Moundsville penitentiary
and to pay a fine of $4,000, sentence
to begin on arrival at the penitentiary.
Groff Immediately furnished bond for
$4,000, pending a motion for new
trial.
The Senate committee on military
affairs has agreed to incorporate in
the army appropriation bill an item OF
$250,000 to continue and complete
military wagon road in Alaska from
Valdez to Fort Egbert or Eagle City.
Also an item of 1921, $50 to complete
the construction and extension Of the
submarine telegraph line from Sitka
to Fort Liscym.
A bill has been introduced in Con-
gress setting aside tract Of land in
the Akron, Colo, land district as a
public park. The movement was start
ed by the Beecher's Island Memorial
Association, which is desirous OF
making park of this land and erect
ing monument thereon in commemo-
ration Of memorable battles between
scouts and frontiersmen and Indians.
Secretary Shaw has notiued all spe-
cial national bank repositories, includ-
ing those of New York City, that they
will be required to pay. on account OF
the Panama canal purchase, twenty
per cent. of their holdings Of govern
ment funds on or before March 25th.
The twenty per cent aggregates about
$50 0,000.000, leaving about $20.000.O00
to be supplied from the treasury. The
two payments to the canal company
and to the republic Of Panama will be
made concurrently a.out April 1st.
Representative Bonynge appeared
before the House committee on public
buildings and grounds and presented
the invitation Of the Denver Chamber
of Commerce to go to Denver and as
certain the need of new federal build
ing. Former Member Shafroth pre-
sented the bill and made the sugges-
tion to the chamber that the invitation
be extended. Mr.. Bonynge backed up
Mr.. Shafroth's assertions in regard to
the needs of Denver and told the COM
mittee that an hours visit in Denver
would convince it of the necessity Of
new buildings. 1t is Mr.. Bonynge's
personal belief that the committee will
visit Denver after the adjournment Of
Congress.
Having acquired the right Of way for
the Panama canal, the United States
now purposes vigorously to take steps
looking to the protection from mala-
ria and yellow fever of the large num-
ber OF Americans who undoubtedly
will be attracted to that section when
the work of construction begins. 1t
has been decided to send Col. William
Gorgas, the yellow fever expert of the
army. for conference with Admiral
Walker. DR.. Gorgas is an immune.
and will go to the isthmus prepared
to put into execution the methods
adopted by him in Havana, which
brought such effective results, yellow
fever in that city now being thing
almost unknown.
The administration is puzzled to
know how to deal with San Domingo
Every report that comes from the Is
land indicates the existence there Of
a state approaching anarchy. II there
were a capable government-either
regular or revolutionary-the State
Department would call upon 1t to pre-
serve the peace, protect American in
terests and cause cessation or the
frequent and annoying interference
with American commerce. But 1t Is
said there is no such government. and
the department Is loath to embark on
a policy Of policing the island and
chasing small guerrilla bands through
the jungle. The whole subject is un-
der serious consideration by the ad-
ministration, which realizes that for
eign interests are looking to the Unit
ments of the necessity Of taking hold
in San Domingo.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt, JUS
tice Brewer OF the United States Su-
preme Court. Senator Dolliver Of Iowa.
the British ambassador and Lady Du-
rand. and many other persons promi-
nent In Official, diplomatic and social
circles, attended the service Sunday.
March 9Th, In commemoration OF the
Tooth anniversary OF the British and
Foreign Bible Society. at st. Johns
Episcopal church. Justice Brewer and
Senator Dolliver was the principal
speakers. DR.. Daniel c. Gilman. pres
ident of the American Bible Society.
presided, and made a few remarks in
which he said that during the lifetime
OF the British and American societies
they had circulated 250.000.00O copies
of the Bible and parts of the Bible to
the nations Of the world. Justice
Brewer declared that the greatest glo-
ry of this nation lies In the fact that
ever and always she has striven to
translate into the vernacular OF inter-
national law the parable Of the good
Samaritan and the Golden Rule.
During the discussion of the Phil
ippine shipping bill In the Senate 1t
oto taI thut Co ,aft