The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-29
COL. LESTER DID NOT SAY 1T.
HE is LIKELY TO STAY IN THE
CONGRESSIONAL HARNESS.

Has Not Said That He Would Not
Again BE Candidate-Is Home for
a Few Days-A short Session OF
Congress Probable. He Says, and No
River and HarbOr Jill LikeIy-Re-
pubIicans VIII Pass "A Currency
Bill and Adjourn without Doing
Anything for Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines.
Hon. Rufus e Lester arrived in the
city yesterday, and will spend the re-
mainder of the holidays here. Col. Lester
came down alone, and is stopping with his
son -ln-law, Maj. Edward karow, on Gwin-
p.tt street. He was seen in reference to
a report that he had stated privately to a
friend that he would not be a candidate
for reelection at the end of his present
term. He denied the report. Il have never
made any such statement. privately or
otherwise" said Col. Lester, land have
no intention of doing So"
Although Col. Lester has just begun to
serve the term for which he was elected
more than year ago, the choice for the
next congressman for the First district
will have to be made during the coming
year The district politicians have doubt
less been figuring on the possibilities of
Col Lester being a candidate 10 succeed
himself, and The report may have been
put in circulation for the purpose of draw
ing him out There are understood TO be
several ambitious leaders in the district,
who have been casting covetous eyes upon
Col Testers seat in Congress for some
time past His denial of the report may
interfere seriously with the plans OF some
of these gentlemen.
Col. Lester said that Congress had done
very little so far, and he anticipates that
but little will ne done this session, his
idea being that the session viii be brought
TO an early close. There is great deal
that might be done" ne said, but the Re-
publicans do not seem disposed to do 1t.
Ii is not likely that any effort viii be
made to provide any different form of gov
eminent for Porto Rico, Cuba aud the
Philippines than that which those coun-
tries have at present. The administra-
tion seems satisfied to have things remain
as they are"
The agitation against admitting Porto
Rican products to this country free of
duty was mentioned, and Col. Lester was
asked what action he thought Congress
would take. "Since Porto Rico has be-
come a part of the territory of the
United States" he said, II do not weii
see how the island can be kept on a diff
ferent tariff basis from the rest OF the
country The result will doubtless be In
furious to many American industries, but
this is one of the results of our acquisi-
ton of new territory. The expansion poi
icy can be relied to produce more of such
effects. However, If the Republicans find
il co their interest to keep Porto Rico
outside the tariff wall they may do so.
a V,la
Col. Lester said that Speaker Henderson
Is getting alone very nicely. The new
Speaker is a popular man with both par
ties. and there is little friction. The di-
vision of committee appointments was
very fairly made and the Democrats have
no reason to complain on this score. Col.
Lester remains on the River and Harbor
Committee, of which he is now one of
the senior members.
Speaking of the probable early adjourn
ment of Congress Col. Lester said that II
is possible that no river and harbor bill
win be passed at this session. In this
case no appropriation for new work at
Savannah need be expected. Col. Letter
is confident, however, that a sufficient ap-
preparation for dredging 10 maintain the
present depth of the river viii be made.
Col. Lester expects that Congress will
adop. the currency bill now under discus
sion. The effect of this, he said, will be
TO place the country on a gold standard
basis require the payment of all existing
or future obligation in god coin, permit
the issue Of bonds by the Secretary of the
Treasury whenever necessary in his judg-
ment to maintain the gold reserve of 1850. =
100000 and to permit the national banks TO
increase their issue of notes. Col. Lester
does not favor the bin of course He re-
CARDS 1t as unnecessary, for one thing, as
the country is already being run on the
gold standard basis, and he is opposed to
placing the control of the currency in the
hands of the national banks, which he be-
lieves viii be the result of The passage of
the bill.