Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-18
WHAT MAY BE DONE
Senator Chandler's Views on Probable
Legislation.
AMENDING IMMIGRATION LAWS
Representative Swanson Does Not
Expect Currency Reform.
HAW All AND Gu B A

at the coming session OF congress.
"One of the first bills which will be taken
up." said he today. will be the measure
looking to the restriction Of immigration.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,. chairman
of the Senate immigration committee, has
informed me that he proposes pushing this
measure ard demanding its passage with
out delay, and the friends of the bill are
prepared to support him. Bills proposing
to bar undesirable foreign element from
entrance to this country are now pending
in both the House and Senate, and while
they differ in some immaterial respects
there is no doubt that the two houses will
be able to agree upon a bill. The House
bill, like that on the calendar of the Sen
ate, imposes al educational test for i'm
migrants. 1t is not stringent measure
some of the friends of the bill desire,
but its effect will be sweeping and will
accomplish the results intended to be
reached. The bills provide that no immi-
grant shall be eligible for admission who
cannot read and write tie English Ian
guage or the language of the country from
which he comes The House measure lays
restrictions upon what are called the birds
of passage also, but the Senate bill does
not apply to this cless of immigrants. The
class referred to is that which lives along
the northern and southern border lines
of the country and embraces Canadians and
Mexicans, who work daily In the United
States. but live and spend their wages
in their native countries. l think that this
part of the bill will eventually be omitted,
and the Senate bill. which applies merely
to immigrants coming from the European
and oriental countries mainly, will be
passed. There Is 70 doubt that the bill
will pass during the coming session. There
is practically opposition to the measure
in either Senate or House. From what l
can learn members of the House are anx-
ious that the bill shall be taken up, and a
rule will probably be brought in from the
rules committee restricting debate and or
deripg immediate vote. President Nc
Kinley Will sign the measure. as the st.
Louis platform upon which he was elected
contains plank favoring the enactment
of legislation to restrict tmm grafton. Aside
from this, however, it is generally known
that Mr.. Mckinley favors the exclusion Of
the undesirable foreign element, and he
will not hesitate to aff1x his signature to
the bill.''
Prospects for Cuba.
What are the prospects for Cuban legis-
lation?' he was asked.
II am unable to state exactly what sort
of bill or resolution will be passed by
Congress on the subject of Cuba, but 1
am positive that some action will be taken
locking to the relief of the insurgents. OF
course the policy of the republicans will
largely depend upon the recommendations
made in the Presidents message. 1 do not
know what Mr.. Mckinley will recommend,
but l am inclined to the opinion that he
will leave the entire matter to the judg-
ment of Congress and abide by any deci-
sion which it may make. The friends of
Cuba in the House and Senate are divided
on the course which they think ought
to be pursued. Some are in favor of the
granting of belligerent rights, while others
favor direct intervention by the United
States. l believe that the United States
ought to intervene without delay. The
policy. of the enemies of free Cuba will be
to do everything possible to maintain this
difference among the friends of the revolu-
uonists. So long as they can keep senti
ment divided their chances will be the
brighter, but l think that they will be un-
able to prevent action ultimately, and that
the friends of Cuba will get together and
agree upon compromise That some ac-
ton will be taken in regard to the suffer-
ing people of the island there Is no doubt
The Hawaiian Treaty.
will the Hawaiian treaty be ratified
by the Senator he was asked.
From what l can learn replied Mr..
Chandler. 1.-The prospects for the ratifica-
ton of this treaty are excellent. The re-
publicans will stand by it to a unit and
great number of the democrats will do the
same, but how many of the latter / am
unable to say. 1 have not taken a poll of
my colleagues on this subject, but from
discussions which have had with Senators
] believe that the necessary two-thrds
vote to insure Its ratification will be Sc
cured.
Financial LegislatiOn Doubtful.
DO you think that the Congress will
enact any financial legislation, especially
that pertaining to a revision of the bank
ing laws?"
Il cannot see how any such legislation
can be passed through the House and SEN
ate. OF course we expect to hear from the
administration on this subject. and Sec
retary Gage will In all probability submit
his views for our consideration. We can
not prevent Mr.. Gage from asserting his
opinions, but 1t seems to me that any
movement looking in this direction will be
fruitiess. AS the Senate is now organized,
1t will be-practically impossible to pass a
bill of the kind proposed, and it would be
sure to precipitate a lengthy discussion
which in the end would amount only to
WIND, and at the same time hold the busi-
ness OF the country in a state of uncer-
talnty and suspense. l do not think that
any financial legislation will be enacted
during the coming session.
Senator Chandler thinks Congress will
remain In session until May or June
Blocked by the Senate.
Representative Swanson of Virginia vas
In Washington today. Speaking with a
Star reporter on politics and Congress. he
said:
Il believe the administration will have
to rest satisfied with the Dingley tariff law
as the only general legislation put through
this Congress al the instance Of the Presi-
dent There will be no financial reform
legislation. l think it likely that Speaker
Reed will pass through the House a meas
ure which will permit national banks to is
sue notes up to the par value of the bonds
they have on deposit as security; which
will reduce the tax on national bank cir
culation, and which will permit small banks
to enter the national bank system on a de-
post Of ten or twenty thousand dollars of
bonds. I do not think they will do more
than this in the House, and even II will
not go through the Senate. The Senate will
not pass any measures Of the sort M
opinion is that Speaker Reed will hustle
up the ordinary work of the House. Dump
ing the appropriation bills ETC., into the
Senate at an early date, and then repeat his
program of the special session. by waiting
in idleness for the Senate to act
Democrats Encouraged.
''The elections" he said. were very en-
couraging to democrats We held our
own in the country districts and made large
gains In the cities. II it had not been
for the loss Of the labor vote in the cities