The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-12-09
WHAT CONGRESS- WILL DO.
Hon. Stanyarnc Wilson Gives an
Outline OF the Work Likely to be
Done.

outllnc OF tne work LlkCly TO DC
Done.
The approaching session Of Congress
adds new interest to the many ques-
tions Of public concern which are now
upper most in the minds Of the people.
a few days ago the opinion OF our re-
preventative, the Hon. Stanyarne
Wilson, was asked by the News and
Courier, concerning the most impor-
come before Congress. The question
was put in this way:
In your opinion what are the most
important measures that will come
before Congress-, and how will they be
decided? ?
The session is likely to be an in
tercsting one, and to continue till June,
and perhaps longer. 1t will be dis
tinguishcd by a vast amount OF speech.
making, and by but little relief to the
people. We, of this section, cannot
hope for rise in price Of cotton and
other products until all values rise,
and that result can only be produced
by removing the responsible cause of
the ruinous fall in prices, which was
and is the contraction Of the currency,
which, OF course, measures the value
of all commodities. The Republicans
the circulation, and even wish further
to reduce the volume of our money by
retiring the greenbacks and treasury
notes, amounting to nearly $500, 600, 900
But the recent elections have aroused
them to a sense of danger, and they
arc uneasy lest they have pressed the
screws too tightly upon the people.
New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Mary
land and Kentucky can no longer be re-
lied upon by them for 1900. Some
thing must be done to reclaim them.
For that easOn an effort will be made
by them this session to pass currency
reform bill, 1t will be based upon the
plan Of increasing the circulating is
sues OF national banks. The unofficial
currency commission will submit its
report, and probably present a for,
mulatcd scheme or bill. The chief
and longest debate of the session viii
most probably be upon that subject.
Along with it will come the discussion
OF the repeal Of the 10 per cent tax
upon State bank issues. No legisla-
tion will likely result, because the
Senate has free silver majority, and
will defeat any measures that the gold
standard Republican majority may
pass through the House. Democratic
members will make an effort to in
crease the currency by repeal of the
10 per cent tax upon State bank issues,
but the Republicans will vote it down.
An anti-immigration bill will pass.
You will recall that the last Congress
passed through both houses bill
which would have prevented the immi-
grafton into this country OF the worth
less, lawless, dangerous and pauper
population of lower Europe. Presi-
dent Cleveland vetoed it, l feel sure
that it will again pass Congress this
winter and be approved by President
Mckinley, as he is known to be in
favor Of it.
A bankruptcy bill will also figure pro-
minently. In the last Congress the
House passed what was known as the
Torrey bill. The Democratic side
opposed it, because Of the very severe
provisions in it for throwing man
into bankruptcy against his will. The
Senate substituted the Nelson bill for
it, which eliminated those objection
able provisions and left it practically a
voluntary bankruptcy DILL, and per-
mitting a person to be thrown into
bankruptcy only in cases of fraudulent
disposition OF his property. 1t is not
improbable that this Nelson bill will
pass the Senate, be accepted by the
The Hawaiian Republic is knocking
at our doors for annexation to the
United States. There is vigorous
advocacy OF 1t as we'll as great OPP
position, with chances in favor of the
annexation.
Cuba is likely to come up for discus
sion very early in the session. The
Senate bas already passed strong re-
solutions in her behalf, which would
have been promptly adopted last
spring by the House had Speaker Reed
appointed the committees or permitted
the resolutions to come up. The COM
inittees are now appointed, and he can
no longer block the way. But since
the adjournment President Mckinley
has had some communications with the
Spanish Government, and his suggcs.
tiOns have met with such prompt and
surprising acceptance by that Govern
mcnt as to almost tic the hands Ct the
Administration. However, tho senti-
mcnt is SO strong in the House that it
is probable that enough Republicans
will be found to join the Democratic
minority to secure the passage of the
resolutions.
In the last CONGRESS- we succeeded in
thwarting Murray's resolutions"
which proposed the sending by the
House of a commission down to this
State to investigate our election laws.
do not know whether the effort will
be renewed. If it is | the think VIC
shall again be able to defeat it.
The Nicaragua Canal, inci ease Of
pension appropriations and the modi-
ficatiCn Of the civil service laws will
be productive OF considerable discus
sion, OF a somewhat venerable nature,
but will scarcely result in anything
more.
The policy Of tho Republican ma
jority will probably be to pass immi-
grafton, bankruptcy and regular ap-
preparation bills, make a show in favor
Of currency reform and Cuba, take
steps looking to the annexation OF
Hawaii, and adjourn as soon as possible.
The Democratic minority will adhere
to its aggressive policy Of the past
three years. While we cannot make
needed laws we can, in many in
stances, prevent the majority from
making bad ones.