Arizona republican., 1898-11-27
WASHINGTON NEWS
Extra Session Probabilities and
 Other Questions.

Washington, Nov. 25.-There seems
 to be 9 difference Of opinion in regard
 to the probability of an, extra session
 Members of the cabinet say that the
 president is not anxious for an eXtra session, and hopes that before March 4
 the present congress will be able tJ finish all the work necessary. Senators
 and members who have returned to
 Washington do not hold this view, and
 there is an almost unanimous opinion among them that litCia can De done out
 side of passing the appropriation bills
 during the short session Of this con
 gress. Although there is an uncertain republican majority il the senai-a, there seems to be little doubt that the peace
 treaty will be ratified if it is presented this sessiCn. As Senator FOraker says,
 Tt is a treaty of peace, and not one
 between nations, and although some
 Of the democrats may oppose the talk
 ing Of new territory and the expansion
 policy, they will hesitate a long time
 before voting against a treaty Of
 peace" T. the treaty is concluded, i. D6cCmes 9 serious question as 10 Wheth- CT 2 military government can exist in the new colonies. There is no consti- tutiCnal proyisio- for Q military gov
 ernor- general Of territories and for military occupation, except during war. If peace is declared and the treaty signed, war will be ended, and congress undoubtedly will have 5o make some provision for governing the rew terri tory It. is hardly ipcSBIble that it can do this Before March 1, and fer this reason members say that an extra ses- sion seems almost inevitable. The cimmissicner5 sent to Hawaii and to Porto Rico are both to report. These reports can be acted upon, and TO doubt congress will insist upon Coins so.
 There has been considerable talk, es- pecially among the officers of the war departmeLit, as to the necessity for 9 new cabinet officer, to be known as sec retary of the colonies or territories. The war department at present has charge of all our new possessions, and the collection Of the revenues, running expenses and expenditures Of moneys generally are under the supervision of the secretary of war. Al. first, tllS did not amount to very much work. but since Porto Rico Cuba, Hawaii and Ma nila have been placed under military governOrshiDs the revenues from the custom houses and ether sources are coming into the treasury through the war department, thus entailing much work upon officers already heavily bur QElGQ. designate some one to take charge Of these matters and to regulate and exc cute the regulations and laws as rot to cause confusion and loss. The easi- est and most economical way would be to create a department CT colonies or territories with cabinet officer. The question has been brought to the attan- | ton of the president and he has given it serious thought. There has been talk also for months past Of creating l a department Of commerce and manu- | factures, but if a department of colo | nies is created. commerce could be one of it's divisions. Congress will probably i discuss the matter this winter.
 There has been some talk in Wash | ingto1 since the race troubles in North | and South Carolina Of reviving 6 bill l to secure fair elections in the south, or what was known as the Force bill" It was stated that a number Of repub- ! licans were anxious to bring up this i measure again. ] southern republican ] senator said last night that such a bill , would receive the united opposition Of the seven republican senators il the . next congress from the south or border ! states He quoted as opposed to such . a bill Senator Flhins and the new re- publican from West Aginia; Senator Wellington and SA r-cleet MeCo-