The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-28
WORK OF CONGRESS.
what's Likely TO be Done Acco riding
20 Mr.. Payne.


whshington. Novembsr a7.-Reprs san
tative ssrsno K. Payne, chairman Of ths
ways and means COMMITTEES In the last
Houss, expressed his Views tonight on
tie important questions likely to come
before Congress.
"Ths Fiity-sixth Congress has impar-
tsnt work on Its hands" said be. There
will be no tariff legislation during ths
present sessi on. The condition OF the
country is today thoroughly prosperous
and will continue so unlrrs ill-ndvised
and radical legislation affecting the bust
ness and financial interests Of the nation
is enacted during the next few years.
The country demands and should have .
settled and assured policy In resi- est to
those questions. The Dinghy law az a
revenue pr ducer has mere than satisfied
those responsible for Its enactment, and
has proved gratifying to the people of
the count y generally. II has furnished
ample revenue to carry en- the govern
msnt from the moment the sussr and
wool schedules tesan TO operate. am
conviuced that the happy results It has
p'Cuucku Will ue perinhueut.
"Ihs Cuban and Porto Rioo problems
will naturally receive carly attention at
the hands of Congress. They are already
solving themselves, and under the liberal
and wise adminii .atlon Of the United
states the people will soon be In po-
sition to enjoy tbs larger liberty for
which tsey have striven and which this
Government is plsdge3 to permit thom
to use. 1t is unnecessary to sta &, that
the United States is Ia a measure re-
sponfible for their success, and that our
government will ses to It that license Is
not confused witt liberty.
"In dealing with the Bilip'no once in
revolt against us, great deal OF tao I.
patience and prudence will be required.
As q great nation we ara enioined BY
every consideration to test both tae PEG
pie and their leaders with mag nanimity.
The United Stat,s can afforl to be
generous. ! am sure that, Wherever prao-
ticable and wise, concessions will be
made to the native population. 1t will
be our first duty to establish peace by
laws purely pacific, and to restore order
by winning the confidence of ths people.
When that IL done, as am sure 1t will
be done, period OF continued prosperi-
ty will set In.
"rhe Nicaraguan Canal Is another i'm
portant question that Congress should
attack, am earneft!y in f,vor Of build
Ing waterway across t le isthmus. II
private capital cannot be enlisted to onn-
't.uct the canal, 1t should be built by the
United States government. No matter
by whom II is built. 1t must be under
stood that that Important waterway will
be owned by and operated under tss
auspices of the United States. When
1t becomes an aooompli shed fact 1t will
give an energetic commercial impulse
to every sec ton Of the United States and
to every country on the earth. The Eat
ern trade Ia growing and that canal will
furnish the most direct rout, t, the ORR
emit. BY means of IL American msnufac-
tlrers will seek and find the markets Of
tss world. / do rot anticipate that the
canal will injurs ma teFially the trans
continental railway linss any more than
the lake traffic has injured them. The
important thing IL that It will stlmu-
late and build up trade along the Pa
cifo coast and In the far East, and In
tat way will greatly benefit the whole
country. 1t mny defect tie heavy eli yht,
but the lighter traflio will stlll be mo-
nopolizsd by the railway lines. and 1t
Will In no way disturb the passenger
trade which, after all Is tbs important
thing to the railroads.