The times., 1898-11-17
GENERALlip POLITICAL GOSSIP.

sixth Congress does not appear to be
clearly defined. Certain of his close
friends are asserting in the most positive
manner that there will be no extra scs-
sion and that the influence of the Admin
| istration will besexerted against 1t to the
| utmost limit. They say that the Presi-
| dent favors the military occupation of
the Philippines, Porto Rico and our other
| prospective colonial possessions for at
| least year, which will give time for
sober reflection over the proper form of
| government to be established therein.
The President hopes to have the treaty
of peace with Spain ratified. they say
by the 4th of March. and with that ac-
complished he believes that the legisla-
tion for the government of the new colo
MES can wait; that a new congress on
his hands in the Spring would be more
| of a hindrance than help to the sue
| cessful execution of his plans and policy.
On the other hand, men like Senator
Hanna, who are supposed to have hand
in forming the Presidents views, well
as rejecting them, state frankly that an
! extra session is practically inevitable. 1t
will not be possible. Senator Hanna de-
clares, for Congress, at the coming short
session, to dispose of the important mat
ters that must be taken up and settled
as speedily as possible. This view of the
situation is shared by the majority of
the Republican statesmen who have ap-
| peared in Washington since the election,
such men, for instance. as Senator Fora
nd E'li ir-
banks. 1t is regarded as significant that
the Republicans who take the opposite
side are mostly identified with Speaker
Heed and are in sympathy with his anti
expansion sentiments. Their game, 1t is
said, is TO work for delay with the hope
OF being able to create a feeling sufii-
GENTLY strong against expansion through
out the country TO defeat II in the end.
Their play evidently has been to cause
II to be circulated semi-ofcially that the
President favored Il policy of delay and
Tor that reason was opposed TO the idea
of an extra session of the Fifty-sixth
Congress-
While it is known that the President
Is only recent convert to the general
policy of expansion to which his Admin
istration stands committed today, 1t is
not believed that he can be persuaded to
take a back track hereafter The inffu-
ence of such men as Senator Hanna and
Senator Eikins will probably be strong
enough to prevent that. in any case
Senator Hanna has been very frank of
late in expressing his opinions on the gem
erai situation, particularly with reference
to the acquisition of the Philippines. He
is decidedly in favor of going the whole
thing, and he believes that the. matter
should be settled and got out of the
way as speedily as possible He wishes
1t Is said. to have the decks cleared for
action so that the lines may be clearly de-
fined in the Presidential battle of 1900
Senator Hanna" said one of his close
friends yesterday. "ls essentially man
of action To conceive an idea with him
is to act on 1t forthwith He could no
more sit back and wait a year or so for
public sentiment TO crystalline on Il given
subject when once he had made up his
mind as to- what course to pursue than
he could fly He is convinced that public
sentiment today is in favor of our holding
on to all that we have gained in our war
with Spain. What public sentiment ON
the subject may be one year or ten years
hence does not concern Mr. Hanna in
the least. He is perfectly willing to take
chances that it will sustain the expansion
idea
Senator Hanna is highly pleased over
the stand taken by Mr.. Bryan and Mr..
Croker. The former says that the expan-
sion idea has not been indorsed by the
American people. Mr.. Croker sayt that
the Democratic slogan in 1900 should be
Home Rule and Down with the Trusts
Mr.. Hanna believes that IL these gentle
men reflect the real sentiments of the
Democratic party that Republican success
In 1900 is practically assured provided
the present policy of the Administration
Is adhered to. As a good general Mr.
Hanna realizes that delays are dangerous:
that If the settlement of our future for
eign policy Is postponed until year from
December that many things may happen
| to deprive the Administration of the credit
that naturally belongs to it in that con-
nectiOn. For instance. he argues, sup
pose the matter goes over for a year. Our
Democratic friends who are apparently
with some few notable exceptions,
playing right into our hands,
| may see new light and change
their tactics: they might jump in
and shout for expansion so loud as 10
give the impression that they originated
the idea. At best. the public mind would
be confused on the subject, which is just
what we wish to avoid Then again, II
the settlement of the expansion problem
is deferred for year, and is taken up
| at the long session of the Fifty-sixth Con-
gress, we would in all probability be in
the midst of the Presidential contest of
1900 before any action could be had by
Congress. The result would be confusion.
Many of our people for instance might
make speeches against the expansion
policy, which would seriously handicap us
in the campaign. Such speeches as Sena-
tor Hale and others of his type would be
likely to make would prevent our laying
claim to all the credit for carrying out
our scheme of territorial acquisition
Senator Hanna believes that it will be
far better to have an extra session in
the Spring.. even though it last all
through next Summer, and have final
action taken on the practical results of
our war than to delay and have Congress
in session and wrangling over the matter
during the Summer of the Presidential
campaign. He wants to have things clean
ed up so that the first regular session of
the Fifty-sixth Congress can adjourn by
the 1st of May. 1900, or even at an earlier
date. 1t is safe to say that the President
will come around to his view of the case if
he has not done so already"
Senator Justin S. Morrill,, of Vermont,
who arrived in Washington this week for
the Winter. denies the report that he con-
templated resigning his seat in the Sem
ate. He says that he wrote note to the
governor of Vermont in response to a let
ter of inquiry on the subject that he not