The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-28

present at the conference to-day In con-
yersation with a Journal reporter he ex-
pressed himself freely upon the more inn
portant topics covered in President Mckin-
ley'S message.
Upon the currency question said Sen
ator Fairbanks. 1.-The President expressed
himself with great clearness and strength,
and his expression has gone very far to-
wards solidifying sentiment IN Congress.
The Republican members of Congress are
disposed to take up the question promptly
and deal with it earnestly and inteliigently-
In the House, where we nave a falr ma
jority, the prospect of legislation Is good.
In the Senate, where we are in the minor
ity, it is problematical The force of the
Presidents suggestions on the subject has
made strong impression even upon some
of the senators of the opposition. ! am,
therefore, hopeful that we shall be able 10
enact into legislation some of the more i'm
portant things necessary to better FORUM
cation of our currency 1t is possible that
we shall be able TO make provision for do
ing away with the endless cnaln, tnougn
whether we can go further it is impossible
to predict. There is no lack of suggestions
for Congress to work upon, but OF all the
men who have suggestions to make, none or
them seem welded TO their own special
ideas to the exclusion of others. All seem
ready to concede details and to accept the
best plan that may be offered rms very
handsome spirit is displayed both in and
out of Congress. On the whole. the situa-
ton as regards the currency is much
brighter than it was a month ago.
THE Presidents recommendation on the
subject of Cuba has been very generally
message came there was great deal of I'M
certainty on the subject, but the members
of Congress very generally believe that the
Presidents view of the matter is clear and
correct and / think the situation will be
left where it ought to be-in the hands OF
the administration, to be dealt with as the
circumstances may develop.
II think the Hawaiian annexation will be
accomplished in the near future. There are
a good many men who would prefer the
preservation of the status quo, II that We're
possible but it is generally understood that
stituted cannot long stand, and it is with
us a question as to whether they will be-
long to the United States or to some for
eign power. The natural thing is that they
should belong to us, for they are directly
at our door,
Senator Fairbanks, as chairman of the
committee on immigration, has charge of the
immigration bill, which will be taken up inn
medately after Congress reassembles. Il
think there is no doubt" he said, that
the bill will pass as it now stands, very
shortly 1t is the same bill that passed
Congress once before, but without the
Corliss amendment. 1t provides an educa-
tional test. and it's sole purpose is to pre-
vent assisted immigration of the unlettered
class. This will have scarcely any erect
whatever upon the immigration from Ger
many, Ireland, Sweden or any of those
countries from which the great body of our
citizenship was drawn, but it will be pretty
sure to check immigration from Oriental
countries, which has grown to such an
alarming extent within the last few years.