Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-20
IN THE HOUSE.
Two thirds Vote Given Three Bills
Army Bill Coming Today.

w dSlIlllStotl, Tfb. llitN pi'iS
were passed under suspension Of the
rules requiring a twothirds vote in
the House today. The first makes
gambling unlawful in the territories of
the United States including Arizona,
Ne WMexico. Oklahoma and Indian
Territory and Alaska The bill was di-
rected particularly at Arizona and New
Mexico where il was stated gambling
was licensed
The second provides additional work
for the census bureau by requiring
statistics to be taken on insurance,
fisheries. electrical industrials savings
banks and crimes.
The third appropriates $4,000 for
the purchase of 800 acres of coal lands
on the island OF Batan. one of the
Philippine Archipelago.
An effort by Mr.. Dalzell, Pa, to set
consideration of the bill Incorporating
the Lake Erie ard Ohio Ship Canal
CO. Immediately after the passage of
the army appropriation bill failed. The
army bill will be taken up tomorrow.
Stating that in Arizona and New
Mexico and other territories gambling
q al
motion To suspend the rules and pass
a bill reported from the judiciary COM
mittee. making gambling in the ter
! ritories illegal. The bill makes
gambling a misdemeanor punisha BILE
by Il $1,000 fine and one years i'm
priSOnment.
The bill Classics gambling rs faro
monte, roulette, 1ansquellc. rougc-et-
noir rondo, tan. wan tan, poker, seven
land-a-half. tWenty-onc chuck luck,
or any banking or percentage game or
any other kind of a game played with
cards or dice"
Vigorous opposition was made BY Dele
gate Mark Smith. Ariz. II do not wish II
understood that / am here in sympathy
with gambling" he began. but 7 do
protest against the gentleman from
Maine, the furthcst point in the United
States from my home, coming here to
NEEDLE in our quarrels when, with pro-
hibition in his own State there are 10
. saloons open in the town of Bangor. Me
1T Is prohibition that doesn't prohibit
submit the gentleman should confine his
philanthropies to his own State instead
of spreading out over the Southwest"
He declared there was no pure motive
behind the bill; that it was for the pur-
pose of influencing votes in Arizona for
Joint statehood. Smith commended that
| the territory would prohibit gambling at
its next session. He said he would ask
unanimous consent to amend the bill SO
as to make it apply to territories under
! the jurisdiction Of the United States"
In replying Littlefield exhibited consid-
cradle feeling. Speaking of Delegate
Smith. Littlcfield said: 'T tried to treat
him like a gentleman, but the first thing
he does Is to meet mo with a sheer ] 90
not propose to be swung aside on this
debate on prohibition in Maine. He knows
as little about that as the average gen.
, tleman who casts tho same aspcrsion"
Later Littlefield refused to allow Smith
to interrupt him. This led to a second
statement by Smith to make clear that he
was not making Il defence of gambling
The bill was passed on n viva vocc vote
Crumpacker. Ind. secured consideration
of bill making it the duty of the di-
rector of the census to compile reports
decennally on life. fire, marine and cas-
; ualty insurance; fisheries electrical in
dustries. savings banks, and judicial sta
tisdcs of crime.
These reports are on additional subject;
to those upon which reports are made.
The bill was passed by rising vote OF
~ to GO.
A bill WAS considered under Suspension
! Of the rules on motion OF Coor,r Wis,
| approprating sl0SCo for the purchase of
certain coal lands on the island Of Batan.
r. 7.
Cooper said that the government spent
about Sl,cooooo annually in the Philippines
for coal. He said the proposed purchase
OF the coal lands would save tho gov
eminent about $4,000 annually. Should
the bill pass, Fitzgerald, N y. said. the
scheme was to lease the lands to MIR
Scott. president of the Union Works. San
francisco. but this part Of the plan does
not appear in the bill" nc said.
The bill was passed by a vote of 121 to
&c.
At BIB the House adjourned until noon
. tomorrow.