Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-04
CONGRESS AND ITS WORK.

The second session of the FIfty-fifth
Congress begins tomorrow, and ON the
9Th Of March next its life expires. The
business awaiting its attention Is Of the
gravest moment. 1t is expected to put IN
train the legislation made necessary by
the recent wa-. The treaty now being
framed at Paris will not be ready for the
action Of the Senate for-xone weeks TO
come. but the Presidents message will
probably be n sufficient index 20 It, 10 en-
able Congress TO anticipate many of the
treaty's features.
1t IS known that the administration will
ask for the enlargement Of the army and
navy and for big appropriations for ship
building and coast defences. The Mica
ragua canal project Will also receive con-
sheraton. Several schemes are likely to
be presented. but the object CT each IS the
same-to secure the governments bonds
or endorsement.
II will be incumbent upon Congress TO
pr0e,ide a form of government for each of
pur new possessions or dependencies. And
rs a beginning Of what the Republicans
wish 10 do for our new wards. the Secre-
tary of War urges that Congress should
BET apart about twenty millions of dollars
with which to construct a railroad from
one end of Cuba to the other!
He argues that such work would not
pnly give employment TO the starving peo-
pie OF that island, but would be stimu-
aus to agricultural development there. 80
1t would. And it would be "a fat thing
Tor contractors. SO, too, it would be an
excellent means Of enabling Cuban tobac-
70 and sugar-planters to compete with
sur own planters.
II is as certain as anything can be that
khe United states Government rs about 10
snter upon a career of vast expenditures.
Ereat fortunes will be made by some. The
money needed by the government VIII
have TO be raised by the sale OF bonds OF
by internal revenue taxation, TOT the
s1ingIey bill cannot be relied upon 10 pro-
vuca much net revenue. There will be
promotions for the officers in the Amy
and navy and many new offices Will be
created. Indeed, before Ions the United
states will have to organize a depart
snent somewhat similar to the British
Colonial Office.
There is only one general feature ct the
treaty of Paris which is likely TO meet
with grave objection from the Senate
That is the article which provides for the
accusation Of the Philippines upon the
payment 10 Spain Of S20oOoooo At pres
emf IL seems tolerably certain that the
necessary two-thirds vote cannot be OBJ
salned TO ratify the treaty. What The ad-
.nin!stration may do 10 coax members 10
ifs side we do not know. In that work
Hanna may prove an able lieutenant 1t
IS believed. however, that unless the
President is convinced that The Senate
win ratify the treaty be will not submit
Il at this session. but will Withhold It,
upon one excuse or another, until the attn
OF March next. when he may call the
Senate Of the Fifty-sixth Congress into
extra session.
There are some who think that II the
natives OF the Philippines show signs OF
violence towards the Americans tie SEN
ate will be disinclIned TO vote for anrtSa-
zion Hardly. II the F1lipinos shed any
!, Aintrean blood the hands Of The Presi-
dent will be strengthened rather than
weakened. The people VIII then be told
that Il viii never do for US 70 permit
car nag 10 be discIaced and driven from
those islands b. the insolcnt barbarians.
,sshslr spirit and pride win be appealed TO
fra AROUSED just as English spirit was
= asoused rs tho massacre OF Chinese Cor
Doh and his men al Khartorm
However. we need not ansiclpate. The
ipfstidsnt's message viii Re sent TO Con-
lfreys tomorrow, and VIII make about 2e.-
~ rserts that - 70 Say. Il wcald fli two
tf't hsis pages o. Dispatch print. Much
tnet he will have 70 report TO Congress