LEXINGTON WHEATFIELD
. A. THOMAS, Publisher
LEXINGTON OREGON
NEWS OFTHE WEEK
Id a Condensed Form for Oar
Busy Headers.
A Resume of the Less Important but
Not Less Interesting Events
of the Past Week.
There is little hope of King Oscar's
recovery.
. The Mexican government has assum
ed control of its principal railroads.
The president will endorse ship sub
sidy in a special messatge to congress
after the holidays.
Two lake steamers collided off Duluth
and it is feared one of the vessels is lost
together with 31 men.
The Northern Pacific announces an
increase in its capital stock from $155,
000,000 to $250,000,000.
All copper properties in the United
States and Mexico are now controlled
by Standard Oil interests.
An amendment to the rate law has
been introduced allowing newspaper
publishers and railroad, companies to
'exchange tickets and advertising.
The kaiser is in conflict with the
Clericals and Socialists, and a more
bitter church war is promised in Ger
many than that now on in France.
North Dakota and Minnesota are
without fuel and a severe blizzard is
raging. There is much suffering and
death is expected as a result of the cold.
The mother of Dr. Osier, who advo
cates death for persons on reaching 60,
hats just celebrated her 100th birthday
and does not appear to be in the way
even at that advanced age.
King Oscar, of Sweden, is seriously
ill.
Andrew Carnegie favors an inherit
ance tax. :
Church affairs in France are assum
ing a serious aspect.
A blizzard has tied up railroad traffic
in North Dakota.
Roosevelt has yielded to congress and
will drop the spelling reform.
The Pittsburg chamber of commerce
proposes suppression of divorce news.
Poachers are slaughtering elk in the
Yellowstone park preserves to secure
their teeth.
Roosevelt will send a sensational
message to congress in a few days on
the Japanese question.
In the trial of the new battleship
Kansas every test was successful. Her
speed exceeds ,18 knots.
Harriman claims the car shortage is
due to the car builders. He says over
a year ago he ordered 16,000 freight
cars, and they are just being delivered.
The Interstate Coummerce commis
sion says there is not a single large
railway system but what can go into
its big terminal yards any day and
gather 500 empty freight cars.
Senator Brown is at the point of
death.
Democrats in the house oppose
Moody's confirmation as supreme judge
Mexico had a net surplus of $20,000,'
000 for the year ending June 30, 1906
Three women are implicated in the
Nebraska land frauds now on trial at
Omaha.
Representative Kahn, of California.
is very bitter against Japanese imm
gration.
France has expelled the pope's agents
and is otherwise pushing the war on
the church.
Rockefeller has offered $100,000 to
ward missionary work in Egypt and
the Soudan.
The Spanish government is consider'
ing the question of placing an import
duty on wheat.
Ice blocks the "Soo" canal and there
Is. a great fleet of vessels at each end
waiting to get through.
Roosevelt will drop Bristol if the
senate refuses to confirm him as United
States attorney for Oregon.
The Russian minister of foreign
affairs declares it will not be necessary
to borrow money again in the near
future.
Commissioner Garfield says Federal
license is the method which will con
trol the trusts and corporations in the
future and is the only solution.
Reliigous strife is assured in France
Mayor Schmitz wants the time of his
trial extended.
Canada is also having trouble with
Japanese coolies.
The pope declares nothing will stop
the struggle in Franee except victory for
the church., . s
RAISE OFFICIAL SALARIES. '
Party Leaders In House Agree to Dis
cuss the Question.
Washington, Dec. 14.' Tlie house is
seemingly inclined to raise the salaries
of the members as well as those of the
vice president;, speaker, senators and
cabinet officers. Before resuming con
sideration of the legislative, judicial
and executive appropriation bill yester
day, Littauer, of New York, endeav
ored to have a resolution adopted pro
viding for taking up the question in the
committee of the whole, but Under
wood, of Alabama, objected to ita con
sideration in committee.' He said,
however, he would make no objection
to its discussion in tlie house after the
bill was reported by the committee of
the whole.
He added that he was opposed to the
increase, but said he would not block
the way of serious consideration. His
suggestion formed the basis of an agree
ment that, when the bill shall be re
ported, the question of a general ad
vance in salaries will be taken up
and voted upon as an amendment be
fore the legislative bill is finally acted
upon.
The resolution increases the salaries
of senators and reoresentatives to $7,-
500 and makes other increases in offi
cial salaries. The resolution also fixes
the salaries of the vice president and
speaker at $15,000 and of cabinet offi
cers at $12,000.
SHOULD BUILD OWN WARSHIPS
Admiral Capps Says Goverment Has
Proved Ability.
Washington, Dec. 14. The ability
of the government navy yard to turn
out warships equal in all respects to
those built under contract, in the opin
ion of Rear Admiral Capps, of the bu
reau of construction of the Navy, in his
annual report, has been fully demon
strated. He urges that at least one
yard on the Pacific coast and one on
the Atlantic coast, when practicable,
should be given a reasonable propor
tion of new construction work in order
that such yards may always be available
for any work the government may de
sire to undertake therein.
Admiral Capps admits that it costs
less to build a warship by contract by
reason of the shorter hours of labor,
paid holidays, vacations, etc., granted
to navy yard employes, but he believes
nevertheless that the government should
be always prepared to turn out its own
ships in times of emergeny. The lack
of suitable docking facilities at Norfolk
and Mare Island is commented upon as
being especially embarrassing to the
bureau, as no battleships of any class
can be docked at either of those yards.
GREATEST MARINE MONSTER
Plans for American Dreadnaught Pro
vide for Fighting Wonder.
Washington, Dec. 14. Congress yes
terday received from the secretary of
the Navy the plans which the depart
ment has had drawn up for the big bat
tliship provided for in the last session.
Four pland were submitted by the bu
reau of construction and six by private
firms and individuals. The plan re
commended provides a ship in many
respects superior to any other built or
building. It was prepared by the con
struction bureau.
According to the specifications the
broadside fire will be greater than that
of any other battleship, the elevation
of the guns will be greater, with conse
quent increase of range; the defensive
qualities improved over present stand
ards and the total weight of the hull
and armor will exceed by over 3,000
tons any other, similar vessel.. The
ship is to be 510 feet long, 85 feet 2
inches beam, 27 feet draft, 20,000 tons
displacement, 2,300 tons coal capacity
and 21 knots speed. The design sub
mitted by G. W. Dickie, late cf the
Union Iron Works, San Francisco,
provided for a ship 490 feet long.
Jews to be Brought West.
Chicago, Dec. 14. Realizing the con
gested conditions of the Jewish quarters
of Chicago, New York and other largp
cities, leading New York Jews are plan
ning to divert Jewish immigration to
the West. Jacob Schiff, the New York
banker, discussed the subject yesterday
with Judge Julian W. Mack. The plan
contemplates the organizing of an asso
ciation financed by Mr. Schiff and other
leading American Jews, which will un
dertake to send Jewish immigration to
the South and to the extreme western
part of the country.
Dangerous Counterfeit Issued.
New York, Dec. 14. One of the best
counterfeits that has recently come to
the notice of the government authorities
found ita way to the sub-treasury yes
terday. It is a $10 silver certificate
bearing the Buffalo imprint. The back
of the bill is even a closer counterfeit
than the face, but both are good enough
to deceive any but experts. - ' '
plPTTHE NATIONAL HALLS OF CONGRESS
Friday, Dec. 14.
Washington, Dec. 14. But for the
cowardice of 100 members of congress,
the house today would have adopted the
amendment to the legislative appropria
tion bill increasing the salaries of sena
tors and representatives, from $5,000 to
$7,500 per annum. Practically every
man who voted against the increase did
so from fear that his vote would react
and result in his defeat two years
hence, and nearly every man who voted
negatively saw a grab in the legislation
proposed. The legislation was entirely
meritorious.
The three congressmen from Wash
ington voted for the increase. Binger
Hermann voted against it, but he would
not bea beneficiary. French, of Idaho,
was not present.
Representative Jones, of Washing
ton, today introduced a' bill proposing
to increase by 20 per cent the salaries
of all civil service employes of the gov
ernment on July 1 next.
The hrst salary amendment to the
legislative, executive and judicial ap
propriation bill today was moved by
Littauer, of Aew lork, and was as fol
lows: "On and after March 4, 1907, the
compensation of the speaker of the
house of representatives and vice presi
dent of the United States Bhall be at
the rate of $12,000 each."
By a vote of 214 to 51 the amend
ment was adopted. Littauer also in
troduced an amendment increasing the
salaries of the members of the presi
dent's cabinet to $12,000 each, effective
on and after March 4, 1907.
On division, the amendment was
adopted 204 to 60. Littauer also offer
ed an amendmentl increasing the salar
ies of senators, representatives m con
gress and delegattes from territories to
$7,500 per annum. On a rising, vote
after considerable debate, the amend
ment was defeated by a vote of 135 to
161.
After disposing of the salary ques
tion the house passed the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation
bill.
Thursday, December 13.
Washington, Dec. 13. The senate
today listened to the second speech
which has been made this session
against the continuance of Reed Smoot
as senator from Utah. It was deliv
ered by Dubois, of Idaho, who, after
reviewing in detail the workings of the
Mormon hierarchy and Smoot's prom
inent connection therewith, concluded
with the charge that President Roose
velt used the weight of his administra
tion to assist the Republican Mormon
vote in the last election.
A bill was passed providing regula
tions for fishing vessels to prevent
collisions at sea. Adjournment was
taken at 4 p. m. until Monday.
Washington, Dec. 13. The house
today, on the request of Representa
tive Pollard, of Nebraska, adopted a
resolution directing the judiciary com
mittee to investigate the legal ques
tions involved in the much-criticized
payment of a sum of money to Mr.
Pollard for the period between March
4, 1905, and July 18, 1905,. at which
time Mir. Pollard was elected to the
59th congress, to succeed Honv. E. J.
Burkett, who was elected to the senate.
A resolution was adopted calling
upon the secretary of the Interior for a
a complete description of all public
lands which have been withdrawn or
reserved from entry since July, 1906,
together with the the reason for such
action. The report is desired that con
gress may pass upon the president's
recommendations for the withdrawal of
coal lands.
Representative Lacey, of Iowa, intro
duced a bill making $12 the minimum
monthly pension to be paid veterans of
the war of 18C1.
Wednesday, Dec. 12.
Washington, Dec. 12. The house of
representatives today went on record in
opposition to the new spelling as re
commended by the president. By a
vote of 142 to 25 the following was
adopted as a substitute for the item re
ported by the appropriations commit
tee in the executive, legislative and ju
dicial appropriation bill:
"No money appropriated in this act
shall be used in connection with print
ing documents authorized by law or
ordered by congress or any branch
thereof, unless the same shall conform
to the orthorgaphy recognized and used
by dictionaries of the English lan
guage." Washington, Dec. 12. The senate
Investigate Hill Lines in January.
- Washington, Dec. 12. Chairman
Knapp, of the Interstate Commerce
commission, said today that it had not
been decided where or when the inves
tigation of the Hill lines will take
place. It is known, however, that In
quiries will be made at St. Paul and
Chicago, and it is probable that Com
missioners Prouty and Lane will con
duct them. It is not believed that the
work will start much before January
15, after the Harriman investigations,
in which the inquiries will be made
probably December 26 or 27.
. '. A. . . .
today confirmed the nominations of
William II. Moody, of Massachusetts,
to be an associate justice of the Su
premo court of the United States;
Charles J. Bonaparte, of Maryland, to
be attorney general; Victor II. Metcalf,
of California, to bo secretary of the
navy, and Oscar S. Straus, of New
Yoik, to be secretary of commerce and
labor,
The feature today was a speech by
Senator Rayner upholding the states'
rights doctrines as involved in the
present Japanese question on the Pa
cific coast.
Resolutions were agreed to calling
upon the president for information re
garding the seizure by Mexico of the
fishing schooner Silas Stearns, and di
recting the secretary of war to furnish
information regarding alleged experi
ments with cholera virus at Manila re
sulting in 10 or more deaths.
The senate in executive session rati
fied the general act by the delegates of
the powers represented at the confer
ence which met at AlgeciniB, Spain, in
April last, to draft a treaty concerning
Moroccan affairs. Opposition by the
Democrats compelled the adopt ion of a
resolution disclaiming responsibility for
the participation of the United States
in the program arranged by the confer
ence as to the future of Morocco.
Tuesday, Dec. II.
Washington, Dec. 11. The question
of Senator Reed Smoot's right to a seat
as United States senator from Utah
was discussed by Senator Burrows in
the senate today for . more than three
hours. The senator had carefully pre
pared his .speech, which received the
closest attention throughout by a large
attendance of senators and crowded gal
leries. Smoot occupied his place in the
chamber. No interruptions were made
during the entire speech, which was an
arraignment of Mormonism and the
responsibility which attached to Smoot
for Mormon principles as a member of
the apostolic body in the church.
Washington, Dec. 11. This was a
field d-y for oratory in the house. The
executive, legislative and judicial ap
propriation bill afforded an opportuni
ty for general debate covering a wide
range of subjects, from a dissertation
on Alfred Nobel, the founder of the No
bel prize, to the raising of salaries of
members of congress and including ' a
discussion of simplified spelling.
Boutell, of Illinois, in speaking of
the bestowal of the Nobel prize upon
President Roosevelt, praised the presi
dent's decision to use this money in es
tablishing a fund for bringing about a
friendly understanding between capital
ists and laborers as "noble, humani
tarian and characteristic."
Gaines, of Tennessee, urged incerases
of salaries for members of congress be
ginning with the Sixty-first congress.
Murdock, of Kansas, spoke on railway
mail pay.
The house at 5:05 adjourned until
noon tomorrow, no action looking to
the close of general debate on the bill
having been taken.
Monday, Dec. 10.
Washington, Dec. 10. The senate
committee on judiciary today author
ized a favorable report on the nom
ination of William H. Moody, the pres
ent attorney general, to be an associate
justice of the Supreme court of the
United States.
A favorable report was ordered also
on the nomination of Charles J. Bona
parte, the present secretary of the
Navy, to be attorney general, and Al
ford W. Cooley to be assistant attorney
general. Many other, nominations
were reported favorably.
The nomination of Leffeus R. Wil
fley to be judge of the United States
Circuit court (or China was referred to
a committee of Senators Spooner and
Bacon, who are members of the foreign
relations committee.
The nomination of George B. Cortel-
you to be secretary of the Treasury and
James R. Garfield to be secretary of
the Interior, will be taken up tomor
row at a special meeting of the senate
committee on finance.
The senate committee on commerce
has been polled and will report favor
ably the nomination 6f Oscar Straus to
be secretary of Commerce and Labor.
More Evidence for Negro Troops.
Washington, Dec. 12. Gilchrist S.
Stewart, representing the Constitution
al league, has filed with the president a
mass of additional evidence regarding
the Brownsville affair which resulted
in the discharge without honor of a bat'
talion of colored infantry.
Sell Indian Minors' Land.
Washington, Dec. 12. Representa
tive Jones today introduced a bill au
thorizing the sale of the land of Indian
minors on petition of parents or guar'
dians onr of the Indian agent in charge,
subject to the approval of the secretary
of the interior. At present large areas
of land under government irrigation
projects and in rich agricultural dis
tricts are tied up because minors are
unable to utilize the land and unable to
dispose of it. The bill is intended par
ticularly to dispose of the land of Indian
children on the Yakima reservation.
SHOULD BE CITIZENS.
President Makes' a Strong Plea for
Porto Rican People.
Washington, Doc. 12. In a special
message sent to rwigrofis y6Hterday,
President Roosevelt strongly advocates
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ITIlLllljlHlf C1L1ZI11IHI1 II 1,11 IiIIH 1)111)11111 I1L
" O i- - i ,
Porto liico, and rocommends other re
forms. Ho begins by reviewing his
recent tour of the island and declares
we have cause to be proud of our rep
resentatives thore, adding:
"It would be impossible to wish a
more faithful, a more efficient and a
more disinterested public sorvice than
that now being rendered in the island
of Porto Rico by those in control of the
insular government."
He speaks in terms of high praise of
the schools and the devotion of the
teachers, both native and American.
He compliments the inBular police and
the Porto Rico regiment of infantry,
recommending that the latter be made
permanent. He comments on tho rapid
growth of sugar and tobacco culture,
and says the imports and exports last
year were $45,000,000, against $18,
000,000 in 1901, and $23,000,000 in
1890, the host year pi ior to American
annexation. In conclusion ho says:
"All the insular governments should
be placed in one bureau, eitlior in tho
department of War or the department
of State. It is a mistake not so to ar
range our handling of these islands at
Washington as to bo able to take ad
vantage of tho experience gained in
one, when dealing with the problems
that from time to time arise in another.
"In conclusion, let me express my
admiration for tho work done by the
congress when it enacted the law under
which the island is now being adminis
tered. After seeing the island person
ally, and after five years' experience in
connection with the administration, it
is but fair to those who devised this
law to say that it would be well nigh
impossible to have devised any other
which in the actual working would have
accomplished better results."
NEW PLAN JO BUY SUPPLIES.
Keep Commission Proposes to Put It
on Business Basis.
Washington, Dec. 12. The commit
tee on department methods, popularly
known as the Keep commission, has
submitted to the president its report on
the standardization and method of pur
chase of department supplies. There
port reviews at some length the present
unbusinesslike and needlessly expen
sive method of purchasing supplies, by
which each of the several departments
in Washington has its own standards of
quality and makes its own purchases
entirely independent of others.
Briefly, the report is as follows: Pro
vision is made by which the prepare-'
tion of the schedules, advertising for
proposals and making the contracts for
the purchase of department supplies
are placed in the hands of aboard to be
known as the general supply commit
tee, such hoard to be under the super
vision and control of the secretary of
commerce and labor. The head of each
department or independent bureau to
serve as a member. The board thus
constituted is hereafter to purchase the
department supplies heretofore acted
upon by the board of award. The com
mittee, however, makes exceptions in
the case of the military and scientific
departments of the government.
TWO EMPIRES STARVING.
Claims of Chinese and Russian Fam
ina Sufferers Conflict.
Washington, Dec. 12. For the pres
ent at least no governmental appeal
will be made to the people of the Unit
ed states for aid for the famine suffer
ers of China. This decision was reach
ed after the State department had com
municated with Louis Klopsch, of the
Christian Herald, who raised $200,000
for the Japanese sufferers, and who re
gards, the Russian famine as infinitely
worse, 30,000,000 people or twice the
number suffering in China being affect -ed.
r
According to letters received by Mr.
Klopsch, 40,000 square miles in China,
supporting a population of 15,000,000,
have been flooded and so great is the
destitution that many parents are
drowning their children rather than
nee tVifim dtnrvn. nnd . nro tliomaolvaa
committing suicide.
Japanese Veterans Coming.
Honolulu, Dec. 12. Many Japanese
laborers wearing war medals arrived
here today, on the steamer Nippon
Maru, from Yokohoma. Labor Com
missioner Sargent, who came here from
Washington recently, in connection
with labor matters, said today that the
plantations should pay better wages,
and that he disapproved of Filipino
immigration. General Harrison Gray
Otis, of Los Angeles, was a passenger
on the Nippon Maru. He expressed
himself as being opposed to Japanese
naturalization and immigration.
King of Cigarette Fiends.
Chicago, Dec. 12. Julius Persky, of
Hammond, Ind., died last night from
ecxesisve smoking of cigarettes. He
said that he had smoked 500,000 ciga
rettes during his lifetime. His only
sustenance for three monthB had been,
diluted alcohol and cigarettes.