The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-29
PROBLEMS FOR CONGRESS
fhe Effect Of the Elections on Our
Commercial Policy.
AMERICAN INTERESTS IN CHINA.

Action Likely to Be Taken by Congress
for the Government OF Porto Rico
Tho Problem OF Free Sugar and To-
bacco From Cuba-The Revenue and
Currency SItuatlon-Other Questions.
WASHINGTON. D. c. (speciaD.-Signs o.
the approaching session OF Congress are
multiplying. Senators and Representatives
living in Washington are already returning
to the city. Many appear on Pennsylvania
avenue In the autumn sunlight while max
ing the rounds Of the departments and at
tending to the wants OF their constituents
The contest for the Speakership attracts
no attention because already settled. Al
know that David B. Henderson, OF Iowa
will succeed Thomas B. Reed.
The results Of the elections will probably
make 1t easier for the Administration to ge
forward with the organization OF civil gov.
ernment and definite commercial relations
in the dependencies. President Mckinley
will feel able to carry out the programme
already made public for the protection OF
American interests In China and for the
participation OF the United States in the
struggle for the commerce OF the unde-
veloped countries. His recent action fn
regard to China was the result OF gradual
ly ripening conviction aud OF the earnest
advice OF Secretary Hay, who learned to
appreciate at London the Importance at
tached In England to the extension OF CON-
merclal opportunities. It Is not probable
that any legislation will be called for in
regard to China. or even any resolution by
Congress, except the general step involved
In strengthening the navy and making 1t
capable Of sustaining with dignity the pro-
tests of the United States against interfer-
ence with Chinese sovereignty by Russia,
Germany, France or Italy.
The conservative legislation required in
the case of the dependencies, however,
will be extensive and more or less trouble
some. There Is no reason apparently why
legislation should not be enacted for
Porto Rico which would lead to the grad
ual creation Of a complete civil govern
Is more complicated, because OF the pledge
that the United States might withdraw
when stable government had been as-
itablished. The most bitter conflict In
Congress over both these Islands promises
to come upon the question Of tariffs. The
Ways and Means Committee will have to
deal With the question first and may de-
eide to throw down all tariff barriers be-
tween Porto Rico and the United States.
This will cause violent resistance from the
tobacco interests and the sugar-growing
interests. The volume Of imports Of to.
bacco and sugar from Porto Rico into the
the United States will not be such factor
as to greatly imperil the American pro-
!ducers, but the contest over Porto Rlco
will be the skirmish line OF the contest
over Cuba, II that island seeks admission
to the United States.
The currency and revenue problems will
present themselves IN several forms before
the session Is over. The Republican lead
ers In the House are preparing to pass the
Atlantic City bill before tho appointment
OF most Of the committees and before the
Christmas holidays. The measure OF the
Senate Finance Committee Is looked upon
with some anxiety by few Republican
Senators from the extreme West, and they
The revenue problem will not be taken up
II 1t can be avoided. Provision may be
made in one OF the financial bills for eI-
changing the bonds which mature In 1904
and 1907 for new issues at lower rate. 1t
will be necessary to pay premium for the
old bonds, but the Government will save q
large amount In interest In the long run.
The banking problem Is becoming more
pressing US the country feels the right
tighter and tighter upon the limbs OF com.
merce. Senators and Representatives from
the West are declaring that something
must be done and are likely to find support
among Eastern members, whose local in
terests have suffered by the high interest
rates In New York.
Two other important business projects
which will come before Congress will be
the Shipping bill and the amendment OF
the Bankruptcy laws. Barring the acci-
dents which often defeat action by Con-
gress, there Is reason to believe that both
these measures will be acted upon. The
advocates Of amendments to the Bank
ruptcy laws have reduced their proposition
to the simplest form In order to secure con-
slderation and action.
The Shipping blll will be put through
under the orders of party leaders unless
there are more Republicans who refuse TO
support 1t than now seems probable.
Just what will be done In reference to an
lnter-oceanic canal Is something Of pro-
blem. The natural order Of events would
involve the postponemens OF action until
after the report Of the commission which
WAS directed to Investigate the subject by
the last Congress. Some effort may be
made, however, to secure the Endorsement
OF the Nicaraguan project by the Govern
ment without waiting for the report OF the
commission. 1t will be represented that
the French canal Is being pushed rapidly,
at least on paper, and that the United
States ought not to postpone indefinitely
the creation OF route under their own
control. There IS bare possibility that
authority to make q new treaty with
Nicaragua and begin the construction OF q
canal under the engineer officers OF the
army will be granted by Congress.
A FoUR.slDsD SHOOTING.