New-York tribune., 1900-11-23
SENATOR M'COMAs's VIEWS
EXPECTS TO SEE A REINFORCEMENT
BILL PASSED.
AMERICAN CONTROL OF IsTHMIAN CANAL
MUST BE UNEoCIvocALLY ASSERTED.

AMERICAN CONTROL OF ISTHMIAN CANAL
MUST BE UNEoUIvocALLY ASSERTED.
tBE TELEGRAPH THE TRIBuNE.l
Washington. Nov. 22-Discussing reapportion-
nent and ether legislation which is likely to pass
si the approaching short session, Senator Nc
Comas, OF Maryland one of the most influential
and successful of Republican leaders IN the Bor-
der State. said to-day:
/ am informed that the House will pass a re-
apporuonment bill I hope that this measure
may increase the unit Of representation rather
than The number OF members It is better 10
have cne member for every two hundred thou
sand people than 10 have q large increase in the
membership Of the House l do not expect any
legislation respecting The suppression OF lne
governed in the four Southern States-that IS
Mississippi. Louisiana, North Carolina ana Soutn
Carolina.
From the view OF the white Democrat il is not
fair that white Democrat In South Carolina
or Louisiana should count two as against
white Democrat IN Illinois who counts only one
No matter is settled until il is settled right ana
this subject would no doubt provoke nuch as
cussion-
Il would seem wise to await the decision of
the Supreme Court of the United States, which
constitutional amendments adopted IN I1oulsiald
and Nort1 Carolina before any action is taken
L is safe to assume that the Supreme Court Will
shed some light this subject and we Will thus
be furnished with far more Information than
could be brought out in a general discussion at
fhfe time I think IL wise for the country and
best for The country that there should be no
long and heated discussions over the apportlon-
-1ent or diminished representation bills in this
q very short and crowded session. Should the
Supreme Court decide that the GRANDPA ther
clause is unconstitutional, then this movement
70 suppress suffrage II the black belt may fall
TO the ground. The race question is a large
question for tHA Southern people, and fear
they have been shortsighted about it The slave
has become citizen and they Will not solve the
problem by degrading the citizen to the level of
q serf
Il may be difficult 20 do. but Il may be bet
ter plan 70 try to improve the negro However.
sideration Of this question and Congress, per-
haps. may await the decision Of the supreme
Court before reaching a conclusion.
Continuing Senator McComas said:
think the Subsidy bill viii pass during this
session. This bill viii be pressed for early con-
stderatton and vote and think that conserVa-
tive measure will be agreed 10 hy the TWO houses
The Nicaraguan Canal bill viii also be pressed
Every body IS n favor Of this project. but every
body fears complications which make predictions
regarding the disposition Of the bill unsafe Per
scnaIly I an in favor q the construction Of
the canal. and I am con t!aced that American
control must be unequivocaIly asserted.
The bill for the reorganization OF the Army IS,
Of course imperative. and Congress before franz
ing and passing This bill will be obliged 10 pay
great heed 70 the ideas and advice Of the War
Department. The amount Of taxes now accru-
ing from the War Revenue act must be reduced.
and have no doubt that il will be. I think Il
more important 70 get rid Of vexatious taxes
than 70 abate the amount Of revenue in any
given sum. The Navy viii no doubt be literally
provided for during rhe session