The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-29
HE DOESN'T EXPECT MUCH.
col. TESTERS VIEWS OF THE RE-
PUBLICAN CONGRESS.

viii Recognize Cuban BeIIigerents
Though. If Mr.. Reed VIII Allow It,
VIII Probably Complete the Ha-
Vaiian Grab, ToO-No Financial
Legislation LikeIy-The Situation
Is just as the Republicans Want
II, Congressman Lester says-Re-
mOvaI of the Tax on state Bank
Notes Would Soon Straighten Mat
tiers.
Congress win convene for the Decem Der
term next Monday. Hon. Rufus E. Les
ter. who has been in Savannah for the
last two months, will leave for Washing
ton Friday to be present at the opening
of the session
Col. Lester is much improved, and is, in
fact in better health than he has been at
any time since his attack of over a year
ago. When seen yesterday by a Morn
ing News reporter he said he expected
very little of the present congress. though
as a rule the sessions beginning in De-
cember are usually long ones. AS 10 Cuba,
however, he thinks congress may take
the bit in its mouth and do something,
though he expects nothing from President
Mckinley on this score.
Congress will do something about
Cuba if it gets a chance" he said. IF
Mr.. Reed will allow it, the House will do
it pretty quick. 1t will recognize the bel
liSerency of the insurgents first. What
would follow is hard to say. but there
would doubtless be developments. Every
humanitarian wishes to see an end
brought to the horrible state of affairs
now existing in Cuba. The people Of the
United States have demanded for some
time that their government take some
steps in the matter, but the government
has avoided doing anything of the kind
The republicans will annex Hawaii of
course said Col. Lester. 1T is an out
rage, but they have determined upon it.
Mr. Cleveland took the right stand in the
matter. but his courage failed him or
something happened, and he backed down.
Hawaii should be let alone. We have no
business there and never did have 1t is
a dangerous step for the country to take.
The population of the United States is
scruffy enough as 1t is without taking in
Hawaii with its mongrel population"
Col Lester does not expect anything
from this congress in the way of currency
or financial legislation. why should they
have things just about where they want
them now. They don't need to do any
thing. The republicans will pretend, OF
course, to endeavor to effect some legisla-
ton on these lines and then they will pre-
tend to the country that the wicked dem
ocrats wouldn't let them do anything.
What can they do? The more they NEEDLE
with the situation, the worse they will
make it. If congress would repeal the ten
per cent tax on state banks, and leave
the states free to act, the situation would
work itself out. but the republicans will
hardly do that"
There are several bankruptcy bills be-
fore the house, and there may be some
legislation on this line. Col. Lester con-
siders this very doubtful, however. Il
don't see the country is suffering for the
lack of a bankruptcy law he said. MY
experience with bankruptcy laws is that
we had to repeal them to get rid of them.
There is no general demand for such
law that / am aware Of"
Col. Lester will not return home for the
Christmas holidays, but will remain in
Washington. Consequently it may be some-
time before his friends here will see him
again, after his departure FRIDAY