The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-12-04
THE COMING CONGRESS.

Congress will convene IN regular
session next Monday, and as both
houses are fully organized, there
should be no delay in getting down to
business. Legislation should, under
these circumstances, be disposed of
with alacrity, and whatever remedial
measures that demand immediate at
tention will be disposed of at an early
! date.
Before this session will come some
OF the most important measures that
| any congress has had to contend with
| in many years. The annexation of
Hawaii will no doubt receive the first
attention of the senate, and will be
vigorously opposed by a certain few
who do not favor the pulley of the
United States extending its territory
beyond the mainland. But there is
probably enough senators who take
broad view of the matter, and realize
that it is a question of the United
States or some foreign power acquir-
ing title to the islands, to insure the
ratification of the islands. Hawaii is
recognized as a necessary adjunct to
the United States in case of war with
any Asiatic nation, and should it fall
into the hands of some foreign power
might prove very embarrassing to this
government. Hence it is reasonable
to believe the senate will ratify the
treaty.
Cuba, too, will come upfor early con-
sideration: and while the administra-
tion prefers the pursuance of pacific
policy toward Spain and leaving to
that nation the settlement of the
Cuban question, it is questionable if
the sentiment in favor of according
to Cuba belligerent rights can be
checked. The fact of hundreds of
thousands of concentradoes starving,
and the inability of Spain to end the
war except by exterminatiug the in
surgents, has aroused such indignation
probable the influence of the admins
tration will be sufficient to ckeck the
demand fol interference on the part of
America. Should congress neglect to |
institute vigorous policy toward |
Cuba it would arouse such a clamor |
that no party could withstand.
The deficiency in the revenues of the |
country will cause considerable worry
on the party of the majority in both
branches of congress, but it is not
expected that any measure will be in
troduced to create more revenue, as it
will no doubt be the policy of the
party in power to give the present
tariff law more extended trial before
change. And the pro-
posed reform of the currency will come
in to cause worry and vexation. The
plan that will be suggested in the
presid. nt's message and that offered
by Secretary Gage will meet with
hearty responses in the house, but N
the senate strong opposition will be
raised to any attempt to retire the
greenbacks or increase the interest
bearing debt. 1t is almost a foregone
that no measure having
,hese ends in view eau pass the upper
house.
Outside of river and harbor improve
nents and few public building ap-
the question that will.
come before this session, in which the
Pacific coast is most directly interested
s she Nicaragua canal. The people of
'he coast demand that they have equal
privileges with those of the Atlantic
coast for conducting their commerce I
With Europe, and are almost unit in I
avor of national aid being extended
owards the Nicaragua canal. They
will vigorously oppose joint ownership
If the canal with any European power,
md measure that carries with it a
short of absolute owner.
hip either by the United States or {
corporation incorporated within {
his nation will meet their disapproval.
/ I