The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-19
QUESTIONS CONGRESS
MUST DISPOSE OF
Colonial Government, Nicaragua Canal, Pacific
Gable and Shipping Subsidy to
Be Considered

uation. Leading advocates OF the canal
are determined 10 bring the matter for
ward again. however. and TO try TO get
some sort OF a measure through, even
without waiting for the report OF the
commission.
One OF the most important measures
brought forward will be the bill for the
promotion OF merchant shipping by means
OF subsidies paid to vessels OF American
register engaged in trade with foreign
ports. The so-called Hanna-Payne bill
will be reintroduced in both houses and
Will be pushed 10 a vote as rapidly as pos
sible. Its advocates are confident OF its
early passage.
Propositions TO establish a new execu-
tive department 10 be known as the De-
partment OF Commerce. or colonial de-
partment, its head 10 have a seat in the
Cabinet. will be advanced, but present in
dications are that action VIII be delayed
until the relations of the new possessions
10 the General Government are more
clearly defined
Interesting questions involving seats in
both houses VIII come forward early in
the session. Mr.. Quay Will present him
self for admission 10 the Senate BY virtue
Of his appointment by Pennsylvania
Governor. ana the constitutional question
OF the right OF a Governor 20 I'LL a va
stances as existed in the Keystone State
Will be debated at length. The opinion OF
many Senators is that the presidents es-
tablished in the cases OF Mr.. Mantle OF
Montana and Mr.. Corbett OF Oregon Will
be reversed and that Mr.. Quay will be
seated.
Senator Cullom, senior member OF the
Republican steering committee in the
Senate. said to-day:
we are likely 10 have q very interest
ing session. and look for the enactment
OF some very important legislation OF
course foreign affairs will require careful
consideration. We Will be called upon TO
provide stable governments In Hawaii and
Porto Rico. Some legislation Will be re-
auired in connection with the Philippines
and Cuba.
Just what scope the legislation for the
latter places should take I am not now
prepared 10 say. We probably will be
governed in our action by the recon-
mehoauons the President may make in
his message.
The very first measure we should mass
Is bill for the establishment OF cable
communication between California and
haWan and then on TO Manila I do NOT
care who lays the cable. but propose TO
insist that immediate steps shall be taken
10 estaoIsh direct communication with
our people in these far-ofr islands.
Ihere seems 10 be some uncertainty
about the adoption OF any radical Anan-
claI legislation on the eve OF a Presiden-
tia! election. In my opinion. q conserva-
i've financial measure might get through
out poth parties may be q little shy OF
taxing a position on that question In a
Presidential year. I had q talk with Sem
ator Allison in Chicago and later I met
senator Aldrich. both members Of the
FINANCE Committee I think they have
FORMED a very reasonable bill and will
endeavor 10 have It enacted into law.
The Nicaragua canal bill should be de-
layed no longer. II is a great pity the
canal was not built long ago. At this
very moment there is a crying necessity
for the existence OF the canal. and the
longer We delay II the greater the suffer
ing OF our commerce and our people To-
Gated on the Pacific Ocean"
Senator Cockreu. leader OF the Dar,o-
cratic minority IN the Senate and chair
man Of its steering committee. said:
Our side Of the chamber will hA i,er-
enced largely by the course our opponents
take. The Republicans do not seem abIe
10 agree upon any fixed line OF policy. and
they appear 70 be as much at sea as IN
the disposition OF the Philippine question
as IS the President.
Il would favor immediate MASSAGE ..
the Nicaragua canal bill II II provides fo-
Its construction and absolute OWNERSHIP
oy the Government There are other i'm
portant measures which ought n Ia
brought forward. but as the RepubIicsns
are in control we will have 20 content
ourselves with insisting that due consf5-
Grafton shall be given every proposition
OF political nature"