The San Francisco call., 1897-03-07

kinney promulgated to-day is to meet on
March Is. Senator Morgan said:
81 would much rather not give any ex-
preston of my opinion as to the bill's
chances at the present time, for really
there is little that can say. The new ad-
ministration has only been installed two
days, and therefore has had no time to an
nounce its foreign or domestic policy.
Certainly |, as one of opposite political
faith, have no means of knowing what its
policy will be as regards the building of
the canal. In few days, or as soon as the
new President has had time to familiarize
himself with the duties of his Office and
has had time to consult with his official
advisers (his Cabinet officers). I expect to
have long talk concerning the canal.
Until then l will be unable TO form any
definite opinion as to the chances of my
bill. l will say, however, that L believe
that the new administra ton will favor the
project.
"The new Secretary OF State, Mr.. Sher-
man, served for many years on the Senate
committee with me and know his policy
very well. He favors my bill, for he has
re eported it to the Senate twice. 1t is true
his policy with respect to legislation pend
ing before Congress, but have no reason
to believe that he will be inconsistent in
this regard. feel quite sure the canal
bill will pass. If we cannot get il through
at the extra session our efforts will be
renewed next winter. Until have talked
with the powers that be will be unable
TO express any positive opinion as to the
bills chances at the extra session. am
rather inclined TO believe, however, that
President Mckinley ana Speaker Reed
when they met yesterday concluded it
would be wise and expedent from polit-
cal point of view to attempt no legislation
at the extra session beyond the passage of
tariff bill and of the appropriation bills
that failed by reason of the veto or non
signature of President Cleveland"
The CALL representative suggested to
Senator Morgan that during recent inter-
view with Speaker Reed the latter stated
TO the correspondent that the state of the
Nations finances would not warrant ex-
travagant appropriations for public build
lngs or for any other public works, be-
cause the Wilson tariff bill did not pro-
vide adequate revenue, and for the same
reason Mr.. Reed as mem ber of the Com.
mittee on Rules had refused to set day
for con -deration of the n caraguan canal
bill. The CALL correspondent then asked
Senator Morgan, do you think it possible
that after a new tariff bill has been passed
Speaker Reed will be willing that Congress
should expend money for needed public
improvements, including the canals con-
structionH
Senator Morgan seemed half inclined to
resent the imputation of the Repub ican
party that the Wilson bill had failed to
provide sufficient revenue. but wisely con-
cluded not TO defend this measure, but to
shoulder the spoDsibility upon the Su-
preme Court of the United States, which
had nullifed the income tax. He ex-
pressed his conviction that the time would
come when this courts personnel would
be so changed that the constitutionality
of an income tax measure would be con.
tirmed.
Senator Morgan thought that perhaps
Attorney General McKenna would sue
ceed Justice Field on the Supreme Court
bench and was anxious to know what view
Mr.. McKenna might entertain as to the
constitutlonality of an income tax. He
seemed very much interested in Judge
McKenna, particularly as he had heard
that Judge McKenna had been appointed
a United States Circuit Judge chiefly
through the influence of Senator Stanford.
Morgan's interest in the matter is only
natural, since the Pacific Railroad force
closure suits are 10 be prosecuted by At
torney-General McKenna
Returning to the canal topic, Senator
Morgan gave ex-President Cleveland a
roasting for issuing millions of dollars
worth OF bonds for the profit of syndi.
cate of bankers when half OF that money
would have built the Nicaragua canal, the
construction of which would be OF incalcul-
able benefit to the world and especially to
the United States in time of war and in
time of peace. mo wonder the whole
world regards our policy with amaze
ment," said Morgan.
The Senator further expressed the opin-
ion that Cleveland had studiously, stub
bornly and jealousy opposed every one of
the foreign policies which had prevailed
during the administration of his prede-
cessor. Mr.. Harrison.
1.-The people of the United States" he
said, 'are learning more every day about
the lncalculable advantages that would
accrue from the canals construction, both
from commercial and patriotic point of
view. The time is not far distant when
there will be such a demand for the canal
from all sections of the country that the
peoples servants in Congress will not
dare to longer disregard that demand.
"Ths people of California and the Pacific
Coast are naturally most to be benefited,
for they will be relieved of the monopoly
and tyranny of the Pacific railroads. 1t
is therefore only natural that they should
take the lead in the canal matter. The
Californians are people of indomitabIe
energy and enterprise and friends of the
canal bill expect them to continue their
efforts. which have been SO valuable to us
heretofore. firmly believe that by per-
sistent and united efforts we will be at
last successful in buildinga waterway that
will be the grandest artery of commerce in
the world, of inestimable benefit to the
commercial population of our country,
and in time OF war o: advantage that can
not be calculate in dollars"
FURTHER FLOODS IN THE EAST.