MESSAGE OF
GOV. DEVINE
I
ttl'SIXESS OP THE STATU THO 11-
OI/GHliY REVIEWED.
I.
'The ReUrlnK (inrcrnor Present* to
the U'KisIiilnrc nil Exhnuxtive
Review oC the Affairs of the Statt*
As They Have Been Comlui'ttd
toy the Varlwaw Dcimrtuirnt* of
Hie State Government Keeom-
.iiicudatioiiH Are Made for New
I
Lcglnlaitlon Which the Governor
Thinks Will He of lleneiit to the
State.
Bismarck, N. D„ Jan. 5.—Gov. Dovlr.e's
message to tho .state legislature, road be
fore that body in joint session, was in
part as follows:
Tho tina/iieial history of North Dakota
Since Jan. 1, IS!).'!, is an interesting and in
structive one, and a careful study of tho
subject shows that the appropriations of
the third, fourtlh and lifth legislatures
.•were largely in excess of the revenues.
The report of the state auditor for the
years 1893 and 18B4 shows that the appro
priations of the third legislative assembly
were a« follows:
Direct appropriations $304,890
Standing but limited appropriations 205,300
Standing but unlimited 15!),400
Total $079,500
"While the total revenues from Jan. 1,
1893, to Jan. 1. 1SU5, were but $733,fill). It
Is true that there was over $100,000 each
In the general fund of the treasury at the
beginning of this period, that was avail
able and was applied on these appropri
ations, and $25,000 of the above appropri
ations were not used, but the auditor
•hows that on Jan. 1, 18»5, the administra
tion had an empty treasury and a tre
mendous volume of unpaid bills to be
queath to Us successor.
It must be noted here that we are deal
ing only with the general fund, and that
these figures 'have reference solely to the
appropriations whioh must be paid from
that fund.
The appropriations made by the fourth
legislative assembly were as follows:
Direct appropriations $429,098
Standing but limited appropriations... 273,407
Standing but unlimited 180,280
Total $887,704
Of this amount, items from the direct
appropriations in the aggregate sum of
$122.t40 were vetoed by the governor,
leaving the net appropriations for this
period at $765,154, to which must be added
the unpaid bills which must be added the
unpaid bills which were on the auditor's
deck Jan. 1, 1895. Notwithstanding the
fact that the revenues of this period were
largely increased over that of the former
period, and that there were no unpaid
bills on Jan. 1, 1897, still there was an
excess of expenditures over receipts.
Which was represented by transfers from
other funds to the general fund.
The conditions prevailing during the
meeting of the fifth legislative' assembly
are of too recent date to need recalling
to this body.
That you may thoroughly understand
the tinaneial condition of the state at this
time, 1 have had prepared by the public
examiner an official statement of tha re
ceipts and expeditures of the general fund
from Jan. 1, 1897, to Jan. 1, 1899: and also
an estimate of the resources for the en
suing two years, which I hereby present
to you.
Bismarck, Dec. 20, 1898.—In coinplianeo with
your request of recent date, I linve the honor to
submit herewith the following statement, show
ing the receipts and disbursements for the two
years last past, also an estimate of the re
sources for the two years commencing Jan. 1,
1800:
To balance Jan. 1, 1897 ". $50.48
Cash from taxes from January, 1.S97,
to Dec. 10, 1.898 712,970.51
Cash from insurance company taxes.
January, 1807, to Dee. 16, 1898.. 41,767.27
Cash from interest on public funds. 11,194.12
Oash from corporation taxes 4,580.00
Gash from fees clerk of the supreme
court 1,573.55
Oash from fees commissioner of in
surance 10,371.09
Oash from fees secretary of state.. 7.360.04
Oash from fees state examiner 1,705.00
Cash from fees board of veterinari
ans 032.00
Oash from elevator licenses 3,694.00
Cash from miscellaneous sources... 18,457.60
Cash from refunding bonds 112.0M).0t
Cash from funding warrants 230,000.00
Cash from transfer from cactus
fund 1,580.00
Oush from United States aid for sol
diers' home 3.030.S4
Cash from transfer from interest
and income fund 5.339.48
Cash from sale of industrial school
bonds 9.80i i.0(
Cash from error in draft 8.00
Total
..$1,
By salaries
By deputies and clerks
By mili'age and per diem memliiMs
legislature
By officers and clerks legislative as
sembly
Uy miscellaneous expenses
By limited appropriations
By unlimited appropriations
Uy state institutions
By refunded to Mcintosh county....
By bonds refundwl
By transfer to state tuition fund..
By transfer to Russian cactus fund.
hy funding warrants paid
By soldiers home (17. S. aid)
By interest on normal school bonds.
By balance ill general fund
ls:i.o:1.is
40.255.27
44,924.31
32.31ii.Srt
23.252.0l»
2.532.49
148.327.lis
94,«i5.n:!
295,42!».!H1
3110.00
113.S4t.3o
43,297.77
21,194.95
200,000.00
3,634.34
2,400.00
11,662.08
Total $1,183,051.08
Statement showing claims on hand not paid,
and available funds to pay same, also es
timate for the balance of this month:
Institution expense lists $55,860 01
Vouchers on file 21,459 04
Warrants issued and not paid 3,555 00
Estimate of additional vouchers for
December 24,000 00
Funding warrants outstanding 30,000 00
By balance in general
fund $11,002 68
By November collections
reported 4,446 23
By counties not reported
for November 8,000 00
Deficiency Jan. 1, 1800 110,745 23
134.874 14
It is safe to estimate the collections during
the present month at about $80,000, which will
not be paid into the state treasury by the sev
eral counties until next month.
Recapitulation of expenditures from the gen
eral fund for two years ending Dec. 31, 1808:
Salaries of officers, deputies and
clerks $100,179 58
legislative expenses 08,12129
Limited and unlimited appropria
tions 242,002 71
State institutions 205,420 00
Interest on normal school funds 2,400 00
Institution expense list not paid 55,860 T1
Vouchers on file 21,459 04
Warrants issued 3,555 00
Expense list for present month
(estimated) 24.000 00
Total $893,997
Statement shewing the resources of the statu
for the two years ending Dec. 31, J900:
Receipts from taxes of 1808 and
1809 $075,000
Receipts from taxes of former years... 75,ooi
Receipts from Insurance taxes and fees 60,000
Receipts from corporation taxes and
fees 11.000
Fees clerk of supreme court..... 1,600
Fees state examiner 2,300
Interest on public funds 12,000
Elevator licenses 3,700
Receipts all other sources 20,000
Total ...$860,600
Respectfully submitted.
—H. A. lianglle.
Public Examiner.
With the estimates here given, there
need be no mistake made aa regards the
adjustment of appropriations within the
limit of the revenue for the next biennial
period. If the appropriation* again ex
ceed the revenues of the state as In the
past, and the administration Is compelled
to issue funding warrants aa heretofore,
then in the light of the facts here present
ed the responsibility for such condition of
affairs will rest with this body and not
with tho executive of the state.
Each institution desires especial appro
prTatl&ns to c&wy on flic"1 rriTTiTfff'd -ctttk
which each year brings in this rapidly
growing state ol'ours, but under the exist
ing conditions I cannot recommend that
all of these appropriations be made, but
I do not mean to say such appropriations
are not needed. To come up to the full
measure wc-ulil involve laigo expend.lures,
and while those institutions need such en
largements, still an increase in taxation
would necessarily follow, and do not
think it proper now to increase the bur
den of taxation on the real estate of North
Dakota, at least to the lull measure of
tho requests made by our different State
institutions.
It is recommended that early in the
session you compel the consideration ot
appropriations essential to the conduct of
public business and the maintenance of
public institutions, so that the legal and
necessary expenditures of the forthcom
ing 'biennial period may not be .hurriedly
enacKtl in The ciosing ".touts hs the resmTy
of heedless compromises between section
al or official claimants for public funds.
These bills should be in the hands of the
executive at least twenty days before the
date of final adjournment. Such are the
complications and evils arising from
hasty, ill-considered legislation that every
precaution should 'be taken at the outset
to guard against it.
In calling attention to the reports of
the trustees of state institutions, Gov.
Devine recommends additional buildings
for the Jamestown asylum, and a hospital
building for the soldiers' home at Lisbon.
An appropriation is recommended to re
imburse subscribers to the fund for an
exhibit at tho Omaha exposition. Tho
establishment of a state binding twine
factory at the Bismarck penitentiary sim
ilar to the one at Stillwater is recom
mended. The establishment of a parole
system for convicts is urged, and atten
tion is called to the sums paid for trans
portation of convicts, $7,781 transporta
tion of insane, $14,901, and for arrest
and return of fugitives from justice, ?4,
155, making a total of $-11,838 during the
last two years for these Items.
Our military code, said Gov. Devine, has
become antiquated, inconsistent and ob
solete. I would, therefore, respectfully
recommend a complete revision of our
military code and that you adopt such
laws as will be consistent, as far as the
circumstances and conditions will permit,
with those governing the United States
army, and which will best advance the
efficacy and permanency of our national
guard.
Referring to the law passed at the last
legislature authorising the loaning of the
permanent school fund upon farm lands.
Gov. Devine quotes letters from the state
auditors of Wisconsin and Minnesota un
favorable to the practice: "The experi
ence of Wisconsin has been the experi
ence of all other states where public
funds have been Invested directly in real
estate mortgages, and is supported by the
experience of individuals who are engaged
in the same line of investment. In view
of the disastrous experience of other
states, I 'believe $115,000 is enough of this
inviolable trust fund to risk on this ex
periment. Therefore, I urge upon this
legislative assembly that they repeal
chapter 128 of the session laws of 1897,
and submit to the people an amendment
to section 102 of the constitution, provid
ing for the investment of the school funds
In first-class county and municipal bonds,
in addition to government bonds and
North Dakota state and school bonds, as
now provided for."
Under the law passed by the last legis
lature wolf bounty claims amounting to
.$47,123 have been tiled and warrants
have been issued for ijili.SlG to pay them,
leaving .$40,3(1" still due. The revenue un
der the law is not sufficient to meet more
than one-fourth of the claims. The repeal
of the law is recommended, except as to
the bounty for killing gray wolves only,
and not for coyotes, as at present.
Tho passage of a primary election law
Is recommended.
Regarding railroad legislation the gov
ernor rceommends that the law "be so
amended as to specittally provide and ap
propriate funds for expenses of litigation
when necessary, under proper restrictions
and safeguards. In the light of recent
decisions of tho federal courts, in the
event of the interests of the state, requir
ing a reduction of rates on products
shipped Into the state, or from points
within the state to points without the
state, generally known as interestate
rates, the commissioners of railroads
should be empowered and required by law
to act in the Interests of the state, by ap
state, generally known as interstate
commerce commission of Washington, D.
C. With the recommendations above car
ried out, the commissioners of railroads
will be amply provided for the proper exe
cution of the constitutional requirements
of the office.
"It Is to be regretted that in the passage
of the railroad bill no appropriation was
made to meet the expense, the outgrowth
of the litigation in the attempt, to enforce
its provisions. Gov. Briggs, however, met
the emergency, and from private funds
paid the expenses of the suit and those
which seemed to be necessary to its suc
cessful prosecution. 1 took up the case
where he had left it, and in the same way
continued to meet promptly evory de
mand. So far as I know, no voucher was,
or has been, presented that 'lias not been
paid, and as promptly as the conditions
under which the funds were secured
would permit.
Regarding prohibition, the governor calls
attention to the pledge given iin the last
Republican state platform: "We believe
in the strict observance of all laws, and
especially that no backward step should
be taken in the maintenance and enforce
ment of the prohibition law," and the
governor recommends that "should any
change in the existing law be necessary,
I suggest it be made along such lines as
will render more complete the universal
enforcement of the law."
Regarding divorce. Gov. Devine says:
"It requires a residence of one year Co
qualify a voter: why should not tfle
state demand at least the same term ot
residence for one coining here to apply
for a divorce? Believing that the ease
with Which divorces are procured is dis
creditable to our institutions and a men
ace to society, and that the ninety-day
law is contrary to the wishes of a vast
majority of our citizens. I urge the re
peal of the law or that It be amended
to read 'one year' in lieu of 'ninety
days,' as is now the case."
In closing his message. Gov. Devine
paid an eloquent tribute to the memory
of his predecessor. Gov. Briggs, and sug
gested that a special day be set apart
at this session when due honor may ba
done his memory.
DAILY DID IT.
Clark Say* Charged of Bribery AVere
Inspired byDaly.
Helena, Mont.. Jan. 18. On joint
ballot for United States senator Clark
gained three votes and Conrad three.
The vote was: Conrad. :t: Tool, 20
Marshall, 15 Clark. 10 Hartman, 3
Hoffman, 2 Fox. 2 Mantle, 1. w. A.
Clark, in an Interview, pronounces the
sensational charges connecting him
with alleged bribery, as a conspiracy
Inspired by Marcus Daly, and de
mands an immediate grand jurv in
vestigation. Senator Whiteside. who
made the disclosures, and who pro
duced $30,000 in currency he claimed
had been given him by Clark's man
agers for purposes of bribery, swears
that ex-United States Marshal Will
iam McDermott threatened to kill him
If lie said anything.
Killed at Kalambari.
Brussels, Jan. 13.—The l'etit Bleu
announces that the Uatellas tribesmen
of tho Congo Free State who was an
nounced from here on Jan. 7, defeated
a column of 200 of the state troops on
Nov. 4. and captured Kalambari on
Nov. 14. in addition to killing two of
ficers, one sergeant and 200 native
troops, captured fifteen whites, two
guns and ammunition and a quantity
of baggage. In addition five whites
were killed at Kalambari. which is the
chief town of the district. It was
garrisoned by 800 men who deserted.
Vice Gov. Wanamgernee, who is now
at Stanley Falls, is raising a force of
men to proceed against the Batellas.
THE LEGISLATURE
Proceedings of \ortli Dakota's Law
Mill.
Bismarck, .Tan. 7.—Senator La
Moure's divorce bill passed the senate
without an opposing vote. The sena
tor also had a morion to reconsider
laid on the la bio, so the measure is
officially through the upper house and
the chances are that it will become a
law.
Bills were introduced in the house
providing for state boiler inspection,
by Ealer of liarnes for an appropria
tion of nearly $00,000 for the state
deaf school, by Hale, and several bills
relating 1o minor amendments of the
piesent law.
Senator Creel introduced a bill cre
ating a board of medical examiners to
pass on the physical condition of all
applicants for licenses to marry and
giving them authority to approve or
reject such applications, prescribing
certain conditions and diseases as it
bar to matrimony.
Speaker Baker went to Fargo last
night and will announce the house
committees next wee! probably on
Wednesday. The house adjourned to
Monday.
Bismarck. Jan. 10. -Little work is
being done in the assembly. The ses
sion of the house was very brief and
no business was transacted except that
the La Moure divorce bill was rend and
referred to the committee ou judiciary.
It was expected that some friend of
the measure would move to refer it to
the committee of the whole, and had
that been done it is probable the bill
would have been acted upon to-mor
row, and favorably. The committee
on judiciary has not been appointed
and the bill will have to wait until
the committee is named by the
speaker.
In the senate the bill for an appro
priation of $76,600 for the maintenance
and improvement of the state peniten
tiary was introduced by Senator Little.
Senator Creel introduced a bill to regu
late the sale ot liquor by druggists,
which provides that sales must not be
made except upon the prescription of
a physician. It is made a misdemean
or for a physician to write a prescrip
tion for liquor which is not actually
needed for medicinal purposes. A bill
was introduced in the senate appropri
ating $500 for the payment to the sher
iff of Emmons county of the reward
authorized by the state for the arrest
and conviction of the murderers of
the Spicer family in Emmons county
two years ago.
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 11.—The ses
sions of the two houses were brief.
Senate bills introduced:
Mr. Creel, charging insurance com
panies the full legal rate for the pub
lication of annual statements instead
of the present half-rates: Mr. Adams,
amending the law with relation to ad
ministrator's sales Mr. Slotten, amend
ing the law with reference to the pow
ers of cities in making improvements.
In the house, bills introduced:
Mr. Gullaek, providing that names of
candidates on the Australian ballot
must, be printed in foreign languages
under the American nomenclature
when 70 per cent of the voters of any
county so request the county auditor
Mr. Thomas, providing that railroads
must fence track when requested by
the owners of adjoining laud Mr. Sar
gent, a resolution calling for the ap
pointment of a special committee to
visit the Minnesota state penitentiary
and investigate the making of biuding
twine, with a view to the establish
ment of such an industry in the North
Dakota institution.
Senator Cashel's memorial for the
improvement of the Red river by con
gress was passed by the senate.
The Republican caucus committee
has issued a call for a resumption of
the senatorial caucus at 8 o'clock to
night. It is expected that the caucus
will show some changes, but there is
little likelihood of a choice.
The house passed Cashel's memo
rial to congress asking for a congres
sional appropriation for plans for the
improvement of navigation of the lied
river and the per en in.k of the over
flow of lands along the river in .Minne
sota and North Dakota. Copies will
bo sent to the Minnesota legislature
and they will be asked to participate.
The committee to visit the Minneso
ta state penitentiary to investigate tlie
question of prison labor was increased
from 3 to 5.
Bills were introduced by Mr. Ste
vens to regulate elevators and ware
houses, providing that the railroad
commissioners shall have absolute
power in determining grades where
the producer objects to the grade lixed
by the receiving elevator, and pro
viding maximum charges of one cent
a bushel for thirty days' storage, re
ceiving insurance and delivery. The
bill cuts the present charges in two.
Allen introduced a bill to regulate
the gathering of vital statistics, and
a bill for a nuiform self-interpreting
low ou the question of commercial
paper and negotiabele instruments.
Other bills were by Brakka, resolu
tion for the establishment of a state
bureau of hail insurance, premiums
to be assessed as taxes against the
land: Ughland, two or more counties
to establish a poor asylum jointly.
In the senate bills introduced were
by Little, appropriating $2,000 to pay
the expenses of the North Dakota coin
mission in making an exhibit at the
Omaha exhibition, and refunding indi
vidual contributions, and by Mr. Mur
phy, providing an amendment to the
present method of changing the
boutul.'U'ies of school districts.
The work of the assembly will not
begin actively until the senate and
house standing committees are ap
pointed.
The senate committees will be an
nounced to-morrow and the house com
mittees to-day or Friday.
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 13.—The sen*
ate seated Joseph E, Cronan upon the
recommendation of the committtee on
elections, which has had under con
sideration the contest fired by J. A.
Johnson of Fargo, and Cronan was de
clared elected. Cronan is a fusionist.
The senate passed the house resolution
for a committee of five to visit the
Stillwater penitentiary and inspect the
twine and cordage plant there with a
vlfiw to establishing a similar institu
tion In North Dakota. Messrs. Sar
gent, Baker and Hare were appointed
•s the members to the bouse commit
tee.
Both houses have Qosesd the follow
Ing resolutions Bakers', for a recog
nition of the valor of the North Dakota
volunteer troops McCarton's, for an
indorsement of the amendment to the
interstate commerce law now pending
in congress, and Cashel's. for a memo
rial to congress asking an appropria
tion for the improvement of the lied
river in North Dakota, and Minnesota.
A •'onimunication was presented from
tin- ministerial association of Fargo
commending the senate for the passage
of the amendment of the divorce law.
and urging the house members to vote
for its passage.
THE SENATORIAL COXTKST.
The Caucus Takes One Ilallot and
AdjournM.
Bismarck. N. D.. Jan. 7.—Only one
ballot was taken at the adjourned sen
atorial caucus of the Republicans last
niglit and there has been as yet no
break in any of the forces. Tho anti
Johnson candidates have perfected an
organization of their forces which they
claim is unbreakible. The vote on the
one formal ballot taken last night, was
exactly the same as that taken on the
eighth ballot, and stands: Johnson 31,
Little 10, Marshall 13, La Moure 0.
McOumber S. Hanny 5 and Cooper 4,
giving the Johnson strength 31 against
a vote of 4." for the field. After the
one ballot had been taken. Senator
Ames of Traill county, one of the
Johnson leaders, moved that the cau
cus Vie adjourned to to-night. As the
lower house adjourned to Monday, it
is expected that a number of the anti
Johnson men will leave for their
homes on various business engage
ments. The adjournment to to-night
was not desired by the field, and Sena
tor La Moure moved that the motion
be amended by an adjournment sub
ject to the call of the caucus commit
tee. The amendment carried by the
exact Johnson and anti-Johnson vote,
except that Johnson of Richland pass
ed his vote and Fuller of Stutsman
voted against, there being 44 votes for
the amendment and 31 against.
The principal interest in the strug
gle now lies in the integrity of the
union against Johnson. If the con
gressman can break the opposition
ranks and secure two or three votes In
addition to those he now has, there is
an opportunity for good management
to pull him through. If the field re
mains unbroken, as the leaders insist
it will, the battle for the senatorship
lies among the field candidates.
•X STATU QUO
Doom the Senatorial Situation at
niNiiiuick Continue.
Bismarck, N. D.. Jan. 10.—No call
for a meeting of the adjourned Repub
lican senatorial caucus lias been made,
but it is generally believed the caucus
will reconvene to-morrow night. There
is no change in the situation, although
efforts are being made by the field
leaders to force a break in the John
son ranks, and to be assured that this
will be done when the next meeting
of the caucus is held, until Johnson's
candidacy is settled one way or the
other. It is not likely the liekl will
make any effort to unite on oue candi
date. It is the desire to keep all the
candidates in the field, that the
strength of each may be kept from
Johnson. Johnson is putting up a good
fight and up to the present time the
field has not been able to break his
forces. On the other hand, Johnson
has been unable to add to his strength.
The senatorship is at a deadlock so
far as a caucus choice is concerned.
SENATORIAL FIGHT.
The Situation Practically Remains
Unchanged.
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 12.—Congress
man Johnson lost two votes and
gained one from the opposition at the
caucus llast night, suffering a net loss
of one vote and receiving 29 votes on
the last ballot as against 31 on the
last ballot Friday night. One of hl9
supporters. Deism of La Moure, was
absent from the caucus, so that had
Deism been present the congressman
would have "!ceived 30 votes, or 1 less
than the highest number he received
on the previous balloting. The caucus
beyond this change was devoid of any
especial significance except that the
members appear to be as far from a
choice as ever. The vote stood as fol
lows: Johnson. 20 Marshall, 11 Lit
tle, it Mc
Cumber, S La Moure, 8
Hannah, 6 Cooper, 4.
The caucus adjourned subject to tug
call of the committee.
Great Northern Passenger Train Is
Wrecked West ot Larimore, N. D.
Larimore, N. D., Jan. 10.—The west
bound passenger was wrecked near
Hatton. The baggage and express car
and two coaches left the track, turn
ing completely over and injuring about
twelve people. Conductor O'Kane is
probably the only one seriously in
jured. The baggage and express car
caught fire and was completely con
sumed. The accident wa9 caused by
a broken rail.
A Peculiar Accldcnt.
St. Paul, Jan. 10—By the explosion
of the hot water attachment of the
kitchen range Anna Ries, a domestic
employed at 91 Victoria street south,
had her right leg broken below the
knee. When the girl started the fire
the pipes burst, wrecking the stove. A
piece of iron struck the girl on the leg
with such force that the bone wa9
fractured. The water pipes had frozen
during the night.
Erring Boy.
Harmony, Minn., Jan. 10. Charles
Redka, who has been working for Mrs.
I. Fulland for some time, was arrest
ed and tried before Justice Horton for
using the latter's checks to purchase
goods for himself. He has been prac
ticing irregularities for some time and
was proven guilty. He is about sev
enteen years old.
Fatal Fall.
Madelia, Minn., Jan. 10—Tlicmas Ba
sin, a farmer living three miles south
west of here, was killed by falling
from a windmill tower, where he had
climbed for the purpose of oiling the
machinery. His foot slipped on an
icy board and he fell seventy-live feet.
Glencoe'a Postoillce Burglarized.
Glencoe, Minn., Jan. 10. Burglars
broke into Albrecht's hardware store,
Etole tools and burglarized the post
office. They blew open two safes In
the postoftlce and secured about $800
in stamps and currency. The burglars
were professionals. No clew.
WORK OF CONGRESS
Washington. .Tan. !).—Tho house of
rep'vsentalives was engaged all day
in the legislation of (lie executive ap
propriation liili. and completed it sub
stantially as reported, except the items
for the civil service commission, which
went over. Til.'re were several side
debates. One of
these
bro,ig it out. Mr.
rirosvenor of Ohio in a speech of an
hour on curreni political questions.
The Philippines aiso came in for at
tention on
the
discovery of an item of
$12,01)0 for naval charts of the islands.
The item was ruled out on a point of
order by Mr. Doekery. the chairman,
Mr. l'avne. holding that the Philip
pines were still l'or-'ign territory and
as such were not the proper subject, of
the legislation proposed.
The Sonate.
Washington. Jan. !».—When the son
at: convened Air. Pasco (l-'la.j present
ed a memorial from a camp of Confed
eral veterans at Oca hi. Fla., protest
ing against the adoption of the propo
sition of Mr. Butler iN". ('.i to pension
ex-ConlVdera!.» soldiers.
At the conclusion of the routine bus
iness the District of Columbia appro
print ion bill was taken up.
Mr. Mason (111.) offered the following
resolution:
"Wheivas. all just powers of govern
ment are derived from the consent of
the governed, therefore, be it
"Resolved, bv the senate of tho Unit
ed States, That, the government of the
United States of America will not at
tempt to govern the people of any oth
er people in the world without the con
sent of the people themselves, or sub
ject them by force to our dominion
against their will."
Mr. Mason asked hat tho resolution
lie on the table, announcing his inten
tion of addressing the senate upon it
next Tuesday.
The District appropriation bill was
passed. The house bill granting extra
pay to officers and enlisted men of the
United States volunteers waB called up
by Mr. Shoup and passed without
amendment. The bill grants two
months' extra pay to troops that have
served outside of this country and one
month's extra pay to those who have
Berved only in this country. The sen
ate then, after a brief executive ses
sion, adjourned.
Washington, Jan. 10. Yesterday
proved to be an interesting day in the
senate, the principal subject under dis
cussion being the constitutional rignt
of the United States to cany into ef
fect the policy of expansion. The lead
ing speaker was Mr. Hoar of Massa
chusetts. who delivered a speech in
support of the resolution introduced
by Mr.'Vest of Missouri declaring it to
be in opposition to the constitution for
this country to acquire foreign terri
tory to be governed permanently as
colonies. Although Mr. Hoar occupied
the time of the senate for more- than
two hours he was accorded the unusu
al compliment of close and undivided
attention by his colleagues on the
floor and a large audience in the gal
leries. He confined himself closely to
his manuscript, but his address was
delivered with all the tire, fineness and
animation of the orator that he is. His
speech was in answer to that recently
delivered by Mr. Piatt of Connecticut,
and had been most carefully prepared.
He took strong ground against the po
sition assumed by the Connecticut sen
ator, maintaining that it was in viola
tion of the constitution and the dec
laration of independence, the "genial
expounder of the constitution"' for this
country to acquire foreign territory to
be governed as colonies. Mr. Piatt, at
the conclusion of Mr. Hoar's address,
briefly replied to some points of the
speech which had been directed espe
cially at him. He reiterated his form
er statement that the United .States
had the power to acquire and govern
foreign territories, and declared that
if this country had embraced the doc
trines of Mr. Hoar the Mayflower
would have been turned back from
Plymouth Rock and the country would
never have had expanded to the Pa
cific coast. Mr. Caffery concluded his
speech in opposition to the Nicaragua
canal bill, but an effort to fix a time
for a vote upon it failed.
In the Honse.
The house reversed the decision of
the committee of the whole last. Friday
when the appropriation for the support
of the civil service commission was
stricken out of the legislative, execu
tive and judicial appropriation bill. In
committee, where members do not go
on record, the appropriation was
stricken out by a vote of 07 to 01.
Yesterday, when the roll was called,
the appropriation was restored, the
motion to strike out being defeated—
1)5 to 119. The house, by special order,
decided to proceed with the considera
tion of the naval personnel bill as soon
as the bill for the codification of the
laws (?f Alaska was out of the way.
About seventy additional pages of the
latter bill was covered, leaving almost
100 pages still undisposed of.
Washington. Jan. 11.—Senator Ma
son of Illinois occupied the attention
of the senate for nearly an hour and
a half with a speech in support of his
resolution declaring that the I'nited
States will never attempt to govern
the people of any country without
their consent. In many respects the
speech was one of the most notable
utterances in the senate thus far this
session. Rugged in language, pointed
and etTeetive in illustration, Mr. Ma-'
son commanded the attention of the
senate and of the galleries from the
first sentence of his speech to the
apostrophe to liberty which formed his
peroration. Several times spontane
ous applause swept over the galleries,
but under the stringent rules of the
senate it was quelled quickly. It was
several minutes after the conclusion
of the speech before the senate could
proceed with its business on account
of the confusion incident to the con
gratulations which many of Mr. Ma
son's colleagues hastened to extend to
him.
The Nicaragua canal bill was dis
cussed by Mr. Turley of Tennessee,
who opposed the pending measure. An
agreement was reached to consider
the bill on Tuesday with fifteen min
utes to discuss such amendments.
The House.
The house devoted Its undivided at
tention again to the bill for the codifi-
cation of the criminal laws of Alaska
and when adjournment was had all
but ten pages of the bill had been dis
posed of.
Washington. Jan. 12.—A climax was
reached yesterday fn the debute on the
question of expansion which is la
progress in tho senate. Heretofore all
of tiie speeches, wiili the notable ex
ception of that of Mr. Plait of Con
i.oetieui have been in opposition to
what is presumed to be the policy of
the administration with respect to the
acquisition of tiie Philippines. Yester
day Mr. Foraker of Ohio addressed
tin? senate iii opposition to the declar
ation of the Vest resolution that the
United Stales has no constitutional
power to acquire foreign territory to
be maintained as colonies. While
much of his speech was devoted to a
constitutional argument in support of
the right of this country as a nation
to acquire and govern outlying terri
tory. he gave particular attention to
the utterances that have been made ia
com ra vent ion of liiat position, espe
cially those of Mr. Vest and Mr. Hoar.
Senator Foraker laid down the broad
proposition that to adopt the Vest res
olution was to declare that our fathers
had brought forth a nation that was
inferior to all other nations, regardless
of the generally accepted idea that one
nation was the equai of another and
all equally restricted. He maintained
that 1 lie right to acquire territory was
an inherent right of nationality, and
thai as we have the right to make
war and to enter into treaty agree
ments it follows logically that we have
the power to acquire territory by con*
quest and to assume t.he responsibili
ties that may accrue therefrom. Mr.
Foralcer's strong assertion that the ac
quisition of the Philippines was tem
porary in character created a sensa
tion in the chamber. He maintained,
however, that we have a legal riglit to
hold tho islands permanently.
Prior to the speech of Mr. Foraker a
sharp debate was precipitated by Mr.
Allen of Nebraska by some remarks
he made upon a resolution he had In
troduced. Mr. Hoar and Mr. Gray
were drawn into it.
At 8:10 p. m. the senate, on motion of
Mr. Davis, went into executive session.
Senator Davis reported the peace
treaty, stating that it had not been
amended. He moved at the same
time that the treaty and the proceed
ings of the peace commission be made
public. This motion led to debate.
The discussion was brief, however,
end the motion to remove the injunc
tion of secrecy prevailed without di
vision.
The House.
The house completed and passed the
bill for the codification of the criminal
laws of Alaska upon which it. has
been working intermittently for a
week. An amendment was adopted
providing a high license system in that
territory with a species of local op
tion. Liquor dealers, by its provis
ions, are to pay a license of $1,000 per
year, and the consent of a majority of
the white settlers residing within two
miles of a liquor dealer's establish
ment. must be obtained before a li
cense can issue. An attempt to recom
mit the bill for the purpose of secur
ing the adoption of a provision ex
cluding ex-convicts from service on
juries was defeated.
Washington. Jan. 13. Little busi
ness was transacted by the senate in
open session yesterday. Sixteen bills
ou the private pension calendar were
passed and a joint resolution extending
the thanks of congress to Miss Clara
Barton and other officials of the Red
Cross society for their beneficient
work in Armenia and Cuba was adopt
ed.
The HOUKC.
The house passed the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill without,
amendment. During the general de
bate two set speeches were made
against imperialism by Messrs. Car
mack and Gaines. The diplomatic and
consular is the sixth of the regular ap
propriation bills to pass the house.
Seven budgets yet remain to be acted
upon. The bill as passed carries $1,-
Washiugton, Jan. 14.—The house en
tered upon the consideration of the
naval personnel bill. It developed
much less opposition than was expect
ed. and the indication.- are that it will
have a large majority when it is
placed upon its passage to-day. The
last vestige of opposition to the meas
ure from the line officers of the navy
was removed when an amendment
was adopted designed to prohibit staff
officers from exercising command
save in tlieir own corps. The commit
tee also announced their purpose to
offer an amendment to-day to repeal
the law granting prize money to the
navy, and this announcement met
with loud approval. The speeches on
the bill were filled with glowing al
lusions to the glories of our naval vic
tories in the late war, and Mr. Berry
of Kentucky created a great deal of
enthusiasm by his eulogy of Schley as
the hero of Santiago. The bill was
supported by Messrs. Foss, Dayton,
Berry. Driggs and Dinsmore, and op
posed by Messrs. Low and Simpson.
In the Senate.
In the senate Mr. McLaurin of Sutli
Carolina took strong ground in a care
fully prepared speech against a policy
of expansion by this country. He cited
as one of the principal reasons why
the I'nited States should not assume
control over people who are widely
dissimilar to the people of this country,
the experience of the South with the
negro race. He advocated the adop
tion of the Vest resolution, declaring
that this country could not maintain
permanently as colonies such territory
as the Philippines, and held that Jit
Mould be in opposition to the spirit of
developed American institutions to do
so. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Pascoe dis
cussed the pending Nicaragua canal
bill, the former supporting it and the
latter opposing it. The Indian appro-j
priation bill was taken up but its con
sideration was not concluded before
the hour of adjournment.
Creamery Burned.
Clermont, Iowa, Jan. 15.—The Cler
mont Valley Creamery company's
branch skimming station at Gunder
burned to the ground. The property
was valued at $*2,500 and was insure*!
for $1,000It will be rebuilt.
The army is gradually being reduced
to a peace basis.