Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-11


CONGRESS IN RELATION TO
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISL
ANDS-THE CURRENCY CUES
TION TO BE SETTLED BEFORE
NEXT, CAMPAIGN.
New York, May 10.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says: The
revival of the talk of an extra session
of Congress has more behind it than
idle gossip. The contingency of such
a session has been discussed at a cab
met meeting and member of that body
who was present at the timeis author
ity for the statement that the Presi-
dents mind is strongly inclined toward
such move. Two reasons chiefly con-
troll the President in this matter. He
wishes the policy of the government
and the currency question disposed of
before the party enters the campaign
of 1900.
The President has declared his belief
to his advisers that peace will be estab-
lished with in the Philippines within
the next thirty days and that the own
ership and possession of those islands
will no longer be disputed. This sub
ject coming to him so soon, he does not
care to formulate a policy with respect
10 their government, the degree of
L. h. %oI -
the aid of Congress in whose hands he
placed the whole subject in his message
to that body.
The President is unwilling to do any,
thing that will lessen the present abun-
dant prospects of success for his party
in the coming campaign. He fears that
anything looking like delay or indecis-
ion will have bad effect For this rea-
son he wants the whole country to
know before 1900 exactly what the pol
icy Of the government will be with re-
spect to possessions in the far east.
Another powerful controlling motive
that is actuating the President in his
strong desire to have early and posi-
tive action taken with respect TO the
currency question. He is said to be not
thoroughly satisfied with the results of
the delib@t nations of the Republican
House eaicus committee, which re-
Gently formulated a bill for introduce
ton in the House when it convenes
again. Although the members of that
committee are usually reticent, it is
understood that the committee has not
in all respects followed the suggestions
Of the President. Four strong points
were brought out by the President and
the committee was thoroughly acquaint-
ed with his position. These recommen-
dations were:
/. A provision that will make the
so-called endless chain caused by the
redemption of greenbacks with gold
ury reserve impossible.
2. That national banks be permitted
to issue circulation up to the par value
of the bonds deposited to secure that
circulation, instead of only 80 per cent,
as at present.
3. A reduction of the tax on national
bank circulation, the present tax being
l per cent
4. That national banks with a capt.
tai of only $4,000 be authorized to be
established in small towns, the mini
mum now being $4,000.
Not being satisfied that the measure
formulated by the House committee
meets the situation, the President
wishes the whole question taken up
and disposed of as early as possibl~
80 that it may not be a factor in the
coming campaign. This also appears
to be the view of the leaders. Mr..
Aldrich, chairman of the Senate Com
mlttee on Finance; who has just re-
turned from Europe, in an interview
IN New York recently, said he would
call his committee together as soon
as possible, and, as he expressed it,
get right down to business" This
So41AaAShcS NdS authorized 10 SIT dur
ing the recess. but it was believed that
not until the cool months of the fall
season would it really do any work on
the subject. The declaration of Chair
man Aldrich evidently indicates a
change of programme.
In his talks with Senators ami Rem
fesentatives, particularly those who
Intended spending the summer abroad
the President has intimated the possi-
bility of legislative emergency that
would require their presence in Wash
ington earlier than was thought likely
when the Fifty-ffth Congress adjourn
ed The struggle over the speaker
ship will consume time that was not
anticipated. Although the President
Is extremely cautious how he discusses
even the possibility of a special ses-
sion OF Congress. his advisers who are
closest to him regard a special session
as almost an assured fact. The man