The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-02-10
news FOR IDAHOANS.
Weekly Letter From Wash
ington, ID. c.
GENERAL WORK OF CONGRESS
Appropriations Bills-Santo Do
mingo--River improvements.


On the 18th OF December, 1903,
Senator Hepburn introduced a
Joint resolution in the Senate pro-
viding for the annexation OF the
Republic OF Santo Domingo to the
United States. For this action,
many newspapers took occasion to
Severely criticisc him, and various
motives were alleged as reason
for the introduction of the resolu-
ton. Since that time nothing had
been heard of the matter, until
few.days ago, when it was semi
.iicially announced that President
Roosevelt had come to an agree
mcnt with the government Of San
to Domingo, and that the United
States would send feet Of war
ships and as many troops as are
necessary, to quell the rebellion.
This government intends to take
possession OF Santo Domingo.
and carry on the administration of
its goycrnment--for the benefit of
Santo Domingo. This is an abso-
Lutte endorsement OF the position
taken by Senator Hepburn over a
year ago. The people of Santo
Domingo want to come under the
protecuohsof the United States.
They, asked us to extend our au-
thority over them over thirty years
ago, aud if we had complied with
the;r request, order would have
been established, and Santo Do
Ringo would have become one Of
the richest spots on earth.
Both Houses Of Congress are
now in the midst of the work of
passing appropriation bills, and
very rapid progress is being made.
The absence of contention over
these bills has greatly facilitated
their enactment, general debate on
these appropriation bills has been
less this year in the House than
for many years. The House Conn.,
mittees have now practically COM
pleted the preparation of appro-
priation bills, except those to come
from the approportion committee,
which has the big sundry civil bill
yet to dispose of. The navy apr
preparation bill is before the
House unusually early, and it will
apparently consume. more time in
the Senate and House than any
other supply bill, because of diver
gent views as to the construction
OF war ships. There seems TO be
little disposition, however, to de
part from the committee decision
to authorize but two new battle
ships.
1t would occasion. no surprise,
from the present outlook, IF appro-
priation bills were cleared away
this year, so as to avoid much OF
the usual congestion at the close
ot-a short session. There promises
TO be fewer differences between
the Senate and House than II
years gone by, and this may short
- en- the struggles between the com.
= mittecs Of conference.
The Rivers and Harbors Com
4. mit,cc of the House of Represen
tativcs has had under considera
ton for some time the question o
an appropriation for opening th'
Columbia. Snake, aud Clearwate
: rivers to navigation. The Com
mittec has finally decided to gran
.the following amounts: $500, oo'
for opening the Columbia at Celll'
IF Fatis;c. Sis, 900 for the improve
!, incnt OF the Snake from Riparia t
:. Pi,tsbutg Landingi besides thl
there is SI2, 600 now available 70
that portion of the work. There i
Included in the above an appro
priation for the survey of Clear
MJtcr river 10 investigate thc Icas