Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-20
Probabilities of an Extra Session Of
Congress Discussed.
NICARAGUAN CANAL OUTLOOK
Gossip About the Several Vacant
Judgeships.
DISTINGUISHED CALLER S

lican leaders at the White House today lent
color to the general conjecture that the
subject Of a possible extra session was dis
cussed between the President and num-
Der of his advisers. The conjecture was
turned into fact when several of the callers
admitted that the subject had been touched
upon. The senators who saw the President
during the day were Hanna, Pritchard,
Lindsay, Wellington, Wilson, Deboe PEN
rose. Sewan, Allison, Spooner. PIatt of
New York and Senator-eleet McComas.
Senator Hanna has been out of the city
several days and remained some time with
the President. As heretofore stated in The
star the President has announced to more
than one of his callers that if a satisfac-
tory bill for the reorganiza tion and increase
of the army is not passed he will call Con-
gress in extra session. Senator Hawley
chairman Of the Senate committee on mill
tary affairs, was one of those more recently
informed of the Presidents intentions in
this respect. Senator Hanna, for instance
admits that the possibility Of an extra ses-
sion is a strong one if the opposition to
the Hull bill persists in the course out
lined He, like the other republican lead
ers, hopes that an extra session will be
ayerted, but he is willing that the repub-
lican party shall be held responsible for
such a session if the democrats force II by
continuing their opposition to the bill. Sena-
tor SpOOner believes that extra session
can be averted.
A Certainty Under Certain Conditions.
There is not the least doubt now that
an extra session is certainty under con-
ditiOns which threaten to confront the
President. Every day the President is be-
sieged by letters from the pan ents and
relatives of volunteer soldiers asking that
the men be discharged from the service.
He has had to keep many of these regi-
ments in service because they could not be
spared. With an increased regular army
the volunteers can be mustered out and
the interests Of the country will be pro-
tected.
Representative Lands. who was a visitor
at the White House today, said that an
extra session could not be avoided if the
Hull bill or some other satisfactory army
bill is not passed. The President and
republican party. h said, need not fear
the political consequences of such a ses-
sion The country. irrespective OF party. is
with the President. ard will repudiate with
scOrn and Indignation those men who threw
the country into war then tie the hands
OF the President and 20 home. Every SEN
ator and representative is aware of the de-
nland the country Is making for the mus
Jering out of the volunteer soldiers. The
Hull bill * a fair and just one. The Pres
ident may not need over 5G,tso soldiers, but
h may need lDOU0 and this contingency
must be provided for. The country has so
much confidence in the President as to be
Heye that he would not keep one more
soldier in service than necessary"
Representative DalzelI. another House
leader, said ne was hopeful that an extra
session could be avoided.
The Nicaragua Canal.
Representative Hepburn of Iowa had an
extended talk with the President about the
outlook for the passage of a bill for the
Nicaragua canal The President is anxious
that something should be done. He has,
however, not expressed wish for any GER
tain line of action. Mr.. Hepburn believes that
the bill will be passed in the last few days
or the session of Congress as an amend
meRt 10 the river and harbor bill. He Is
sure that the House would vote for this
amendment If sent over by the Senate. Mr
Hepburn does not feel that there should be
opposition to the canal on the ground that
the appropriations al this session are un-
usually heavy. He said today that the an
preparations for the canal. if made al this
session. would not be used to any extent
curing this fiscal year or even during the
next fiscal year.
Vacant Judgeships
Representative Pugh, one of the best
known Of the Kentucky republicans in the
present Congress. will probably be reward
ed with lifetime position by the Presi-
dent Judge John w. Barr of the district
court of Kentucky has resigned. creating, a
vacancy for some republican Of that state
Senator Deboe is a great friend of Mr.
FuSh ana has suggested the laItcr'S name
To the President for the vacancy He he
.ieYes Mr.. Pugh to be one Of the ablest and
best qualified men in the state for the po-
SittOn- Mr.. Pugh is also well known to the
president and stands high at the White
House. 1t Is almost a foregone conclusion
that ne VIII receive the appointment which
Will soon be made.
Regarding the southern cfrrlIft cnurr ,,a
cancy. il is believed that the President has
ABOUT made up his mind to appoint Mr.
Shelby Of Alabama, the Alabama people
thus winning in the hard fight which has
been made between them and the Ceorpians
Who concentrated all their efforts on ], r.
Glenn OF Atlanta. Representative Davis
OF FLORIDA saw the President today and
urged the selection of Mr.. Bisbee the Flor
ida candidate The President said thai rhe
contest had narrowed to Alabama and
Georgia.
Some DISTINGUISHED Callers.
Ethan Allen Hitchcock, the new Secre-
tary of the Interior, called at the White
House early this morning, having arrived
from New York last night. He was with
the President nearly an hour during which
he informed the President something of
European affairs while the war with Spain
was in progress. AS Mr.. Hitchcock was
preparing to leave ne was met by Mr.. Bliss
the retiring Secretary, and they left The
White House together, that Mr. Hitchcock
might take the oath of office and enter at
OlACc upon his ne" duties me new SPCrp-
tary will attend his first cabinet meeting
tomorrow.
The Canadian members of the Anglo
American commission. with the execution
OF Lord Herschel, called upon the Presi-
dent this morning TO pay their farewell re-
spects- They will leave for their homes in
Canada this afternoon or tomorrow hav-
ing finished their work here. Lord Herschel
will be unable TO leave Washington for five
CT six weeks. II will be that long before
re recoyers from the broken hip which he
received in a fall last week. He is resting
comfortably at his quarters
The board of inquiry into the question of
beef for the army also called upon the
President before beginning their labors be-
ing accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel
Davis, the recorder
Francis W Cushman, who defeated Rem
reSentative Lewis OF Washington for re-
election, introduced to the President
this morning. He was complimented upou
the campaign which he had made
Representative BaTrows. who was u1mj-
mated few days ago for librarian of Corr
greSSiOnal Library, was a caller with some
friends. Mr.. BarTows, when he is condrm-
ed by the Senate. will enter upon his du-
ties about the 4th OF March, the day rs
term exnires as member of Congress