Gilpin observer., 1905-01-19
LATEST WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

tive against polygomy, has introduced
IN amendment to the statehood bill
which reserves to Congress the right
70 legislate on tho subject Of polygamy
and polygamous cohabitation. The
amendment provides that Congress
may take action II the two states, to
Be admitted II the pending bill be-
fective legislation.
A prominent member of the ways
and means committee OF the House
said to the Associated Press that the
poll which the leaders of the House
had conducted of the Republican mem
bers on the question Of tariff revision
showed that ninety per cent. Of the
members who had been approached
were against revision. Ali Of the
leaders of the House, except Represen-
tative Payne, chairman OF the ways
and means committee, who is laid up
with rheumatism, and Representative
Tavney are against revision.
Director of the Mint Roberts states
that coinage machinery for the Denver
mint, which has been on exhibition at
the Worlds Fair. st. Louis, Is being
packed for shipment to Denver. Addi-
tional machinery which is being built
at Philadelphia will be shipped in time
to have it Installed and ready for op.
GRAFTON July 1st. when the institution
Will be opened as a coinage mint. 1t
Is expected by Director Roberts that
legislation will be enacted during this
session Of Congress authorizing the
secretary Of the treasury to direct coin
age of nickels and pennies at western
mints as well as at Philadelphia, the
only place where they are now coined.
In this event the product Of the Den
yer mint will be these denominations
and also subsidiary silver and gold
coins.
Representative Howell Of Utah has
introduced a bill to provide for the
manner Of opening for settlement and
entry the lands in the Uintah reserva-
tion. Representative Howell's bill is
worded in practically the same Ian
guage as was incorporated in the acts
opening to settlement certain portions
OF the Rosebud reservation in Gregory
county. South Dakota, and DEVILS
lake, in North Dakota. The original
proposition as to opening of the Uin-
tab reservation contemplated gen.
eral rush for the desirable lands, sim
liar to that which occurred when Okla
homa was opened to settlement. The
plan now proposed is registration,
after drawing under supervision Of the
oficials OF the general land office. Said
Commissioner Richards: Experience
teaches US the best results to all con-
cerned are thus obtained"
Senator Hepburn has introduced a
bill for the relief Of entrymen on lands
proposed to be irrigated under the re-
clamation act, and who are unable to
cultivate the same and to provide
means Of support. pending the building
of irrigation works. The bill recites
that qualified entrymen who have
heretofore or shall hereafter make
bona fide entry upon lands to be irri-
gated under the reclamation act may.
upon application and q showing that
water Is not available for irrigating
said lands, obtain leave of absence
from their entries for a period not to
exceed six months, during any one
year. until water for irrigation is
turned into the main canals on the
lands to be irrigated. A similar meas
ure has been introduced In the House
by Representative Mondell. but is ap-
pucable only to entrymen In Wyoming.
The Senate committee on forest res
ervations made a favorable report
upon the House bill to transfer the
control Of the forest reserves from the
Interior Department to the Depart
ment Of Agriculture, but amended the
bill materially. SO as to protect mining
interests upon lands within the re-
serves. The amended bill provides
that rights OF way for construction and
maintenance OF dams, reservoirs, wa
ter plants. bitches and canals across
reservations for mining purposes and
for milling and reducing ores are
granted citizens OF the United States
and shall not be abridged by inclusion
OF mineral lands in forest reserves.
The amended bill also modifies the au-
thority conferred on the secretary OF
agriculture and retains in the control
of the secretary OF the interior execu-
tion of laws affecting surveys. entries.
relinQui5hment and patenting OF lands
within reserves.
BY q stroke Of his pen Postmaster
General Wynne has transferred to his
supervision the battalion Of postofice ce
inspectors who have. since 1891, been
under the control of the fourth assist
ant postmaster general. the latter
method having been put In practice
when Major Estes G. Rathbone was
chief inspector and was at the same
time made fourth assistant postmaster
general. The order has created a
great deal Of surprise because General
Bristow, the present fourth assistant
postmaster general. is the man who
has been complimented by the Presi-
dent for his handling OF the inspection
force during the great postofice scan
dal. The real reason for the change Is
that most big investigations are or
dered directly by the postmaster gen.
eral and in order to make them effect
i've he wants his information at first
hand instead OF being filtered through
a subordinate department.
The House Indian committee favor
ably reported Mondells bill for OPEN