Gilpin observer., 1905-02-23
D0INGs At WASHINGTON

Senator Clark of Montana, from this
committee on foreign relations, re-
ported favorably the bill authorizing
the construction of an irrigation dam
across the Rio Grande river between
the United States and Mexico.
A parcels post treaty between this
government and Great Britain was
signed February 18th by President
Roosevelt, Secretary Hay and Postmas-
ter Wynn. Ii has already been signed
by the British officials, and will take
effect April 1st.
President Roosevelt, IN transmitting
to Congress the report of Ambassador
Porter concerning the efforts to locate
the remains of Admiral John Paul
Jones, has urged the erection of monu-
ments for both Jones and John Barry,
people upon the achievements of the
naval commanders in our war of indie
pendence."
The House passed the pensions ap-
preparation bill, carrying $13S,2S5, 200.
The minority, led by Mr.. Underwood,
made an Intellectual effort to reduce
the aggregate of the appropriation SO
as to exclude pensions allowed under
order No. 49," which, it was stated,
would involve about $4,500,000. 1t was
contended that the order was without
authority of law. The minority in
sisted that the majority should bring
in service pension bill. The bill
was passed in the form in which it
came from the committee.
The House committee on irrigation
has changed the plans of its intended
western visit during the recess of Con.
gress, so that visit may be made to
Denver and Cheyenne. to the Path
finder irrigation project in Wyoming.
and also to Salt Lake and Ogden, anG
the proposed irrigation projects in
Utah. 1t is planned also that the com.
mittee shall be at Truckee, Nevada.
June 18th, which will be the third an
niversary of the signing of the irriga-
tion bill and will witness the opening
of the Truckee irrigation system.
In order to facilitate action at this
session on the statehood bill, the
House passed resolution sending
that measure as amended by the Sen
ate to admit New Mexico separately
directly into conference without offer
ing an opportunity for debate. With
the exception of Mr.. McLachlan of Cal
ifornia, who voted with the Democrats.
party lines were strictly drawn. Mr..
Lloyd (MissourD charged that thirty
five Republicans, who were in sympa-
thy with the Democrats on the state
hood question, had been coerced by
rules and leadership.
AS an incident to the issue between
the administration and the Senate re-
specting their relative rights in treaty
it has been developed that in
giving it's approval January 11th last
to the treaty of arbitration of pecun
iary claims" commonly knowns as the
arbitration treaty, the
United States Senate has committed it.
self to the recognition of it's power to
delegate to the executive the right to
make special arbitration arrangements
and in executive circles it is held this
power is sufficient to warrant it's ac-
tion in the case of San Domingo.
President Roosevelt has not aban-
doned his idea Of obtaining, with the
leading powers of the world, definite,
and effective agree
ments as to a scheme of international
arbitration. 1t will be his effort to
have the matter SO presented to the
attention of the second Hague. confer
snce, which Is to be held at the con-
,lusion of the Russo-Japanese war, as
o insure favorable action of char
lcter that will be binding upon all
he powers signatory to the proposed
lew convention. Such an agreement,
according to this view, would be more
effective than the general treaties en-
.~.. y,nt ha Ini
and other countries individually.
The House committee on public
buildings has reported an omnibus
public building bill, carrying aggregate
of s9,499,000. and pro-
viding for buildings, sites or exten-
sion of cost limit for buildings in 1855
places in the country. Western items
included are $4,000 for building
site at Moscow. Idaho; 100000 for a
building at Sheridan. Wyoming; $780,
900 for a building at Trinidad. Colo
RADIO; $4,000 for increase of cost limit
Of the Colorado Springs building. The
bill authorizes the sale of the old mint
and site at Denver at public or private
sale for not less than $50 1000, the pro-
ceeds to be added to the cost limit of
the new mint there.
Sitting in special session, the House
of Representative Sunday. February
18th. conducted memorial services in
tribute to the memory of the late Sen
ator Matthew Stanley Quay of Penn
sylvania. Mr.. Dalzeli presided. The
were particularly expressive
Of the esteem in which he was held.
and extolled him as a man, as useful
public servant and an organizer Of
wonderful ability. The following were
those who spoke: Messrs. Adams,
Sibley, Kline, Brown and Bates Of
Grosvenor of Ohio and
of New York. After the
adoption of appropriate resolutions the
House at lao p. m, as further mark
of respect, adjourned until IL o'clock
next day.
Tha goFyataru ~ tho ipf,rtnr cuh.