Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-09
MONEY FOR cUBANS.
Many Congressman Oppose
Paying the lnsurgent Army
As Establishing Bad Precedent Causing
Similar Obligation in Philippines.
Senator Chandler Still Active Remarkable
Contest Over the Peace Treaty.

IN MANY lFears mas there Deen SUCH d cOn-
test in the senate as that over the peace
treaty. 1t was never definitely known,
what the result would be until the final
vote was taken. Usually the result of =
contest in either house on an important
measure can be accurately foreshadowed,
the only question in the senate being as to |
when the vote will be taken or whether an
opposing minority will he able to defeat q |
measure by debating it until final adj
iournmcnt But in case of the peace
treaty he result hung in the balance I'M
til the very last moment, both sides being |
hopeful and the opponents even confident
until TIE disturbing news from Manila
was received Sixty votes for any contest
ed measure are hard to obtain in the SEN
ate On the other hand an opposition that
cannot muster 81 votes is not considered
very strong. When the arbitration treaty
with Great Britain was under considera-
ton. its defeat was easily predicted. Its
friends allowed all kinds of amendments
to be adopted until it was finally emascu-
lated but even then could not muster the
necessary two-thirdS of the senate. IL
must he acknowledged, however, that II
all the senators had. voted their convic-
lions i. is probable that the opponents OF
the treaty would have made larger show
ing 1t is known that several supported
the treaty who were very much opposed to
the acquisition of the Philippines but
were acting under pressure from their
states and the demand so loudly expressed
for ratification.
Cuban Relations.
Many men in congress are not alto
gether satisfied with the proposition to
pay the Cubans who were recently in the in
surgent army So. 900. 900 or any other sum
to purchase their loyalty to the United
States They think that this would he
bad precedent to start and would entail
like obligation to settle with the insur-
gents of the Philippine Islands. 1t is be-
licvcd bv some who have given the matter
considerable thought that the best way to
nav money to the Cubans will he by en-
blowing them on various public works on
the island and making improvements
which have been SO long neglected. Some
people express the fear that if money is
paid to these insurgents they will wait
until it is all gone and then become
menace to the peace of the more indus
trious people 1t has been the aim OF the
army officers who have had charge of
affairs in Cuba to avoid, if possible, aid
ing the Cubans in the way of giving aims
outright, although food has been dis
tributcd among the needy and relief ex-
tended in other directions where neces-
sary At the same time it is felt by those
who have the best knowledge of the char
acter of the Cubans that the money ex-
pended in the direction Of assistance ought
to be under conditions which will give the
Cubans an opportunity to work for 1t,
and they will then become better citizens
than if paid money to lay down their arms.
To Ventilate the House.
1t has long been known that the house
of representatives is a rather unhealthy
place on account Of the poor ventilation
and the poor methods of heating the hall.
MIR. George W. Prince of Illinois has re-
Gently been appointed chairman of the
subcommittee on ventilation and heating
of the hall This subcommittee will take
into consideration whether it will be adj
vantageous or practical to reduce the size
of the hall on the lines favored by Speaker
Reed Mr. Prince does not make any
suggestion as to that except to say that he
pres,lmes Il great many members will
oppose such change. He will, however,
prepare bill looking to improving the
condition of the hall generally by means
of removing all the rubbish and accumu-
lations of years that tend to create Il very
bad odor in the basement. Not only that,
but the machinery, with the oils, gaso-
line and other paraphernalia which are in
the basement kept there in connection
with the machinery, together with the
immense piles Of coal and wood. he thinks,
should be removed to another place
1t is Mr.. Princes plan to have another
building for all this machinery and ac-
companying fixtures erected at some place
outside of the capitol grounds, which may
he connected with the capitol building
through n tunnel There are millions Of
books rotting in the basement of the CAPT
toll, and. with all the other things that are
slowed away under the house, the air cam
not I've very good Mr.. Prince says he
does not know whether it will he possible
to get bill through this session or not,
but believes if the matter is properly pre-
scented that tho house will see that some
thing ought to be done and will take the
proposition up in the next session when
there is more time.
- An Active Senator.
William +. Chandler of New Hampshire
might be styled 1.-THE senatorial perpetual
motion" No man is more active, and nc
senator is his equal for stirring things up
He is one of the hardest working men in
congress. As n debater he is breezy and
always entertaining His object, it might
appear, u to make things lively and inter
esting There is very little that goes on
in the senate that he docs not have n hand
in, and no one has yet been able to kecl
him out Of anything he wanted to get into
In legislation senators usually give atten
tion,largely to such matters as go befort
the committees of which they are mem
hers. Senator Chandler does this ant
considerable more. He is member o
several very important committees, being
chairman of privileges and elections, lead
er OH the postoiliccs ard post roads and tn,
most active opponent of railroads or inter
state commerce and rarely misses anything
Oh the immigration committee. Having
been secretary of the navy and now |:
member of the naval committee. it is nat
ural that lie should be interested in naya
affairs. and few senators take as much in
terest i'll matters pertaining to the navy "A,
he. Bur, more than this. Senator Chan
der gives attention to nearly every othc,
matter of business that comes up in tn.
senate ana is absolutely fearless so far a,
engaging in debate. He has n nmblc vii
and iS'.l liHSttr of tuftinU Snrco.,,, ,,.;.I,