Evening star., 1900-11-29
NECESSARY LEGISLATION
SENATOR THURSTON SPEAKS OF THE
MORE PRESSING MATTERS.
Question of ReappOrtiOnment and the
Increase of the Army-Ship Subsidy
and the Philippines.

| There are some things we must do,
l'said Senator Thurston. when seen by s
| Star reporter today and questioned concern
| ing the legislation that will come before
| Congress in its next session. "One is to re-
| apportion the representation in Congress
ard another is to pass an army bill
II do not think we should increase the
number of representatives very much
, There is no serious objection to small in
| crease If we find We can adjust the reap
portionment better by such an increase.
Twenty or thirty new members would make
| no particular difference.
Il think We should have such an army as
l understand is 10 be recommended by the
administration, and that will provide for
about $1,000 men, so organized that the
army may be recruited up to 100000 men
without additional legislation any time it is
necessary. That certainly is a very small
army for great government like our own.
Heretofore We have been fortfying our
coast, putting up great batteries at i'm
portant points, and before the Spanish war
a great fertilization would be in charge of
a sergeant and squad of men. For this
purpose alone we need a decided increase.
Our batteries should be manned and be
ready for action at all times. The artillery
branch of the army should be of the high
est of efficiency.
The Nicaragua Canal Bill.
I'm addition to these things that we must
do, there are some things we ought to do
and that we will try to do. The Nicaragua
canal bill should go through, and l think
it will. There will be considerable differ
ence of opinion as to how we ought to con-
struct the canal, but think the bill pro-
viding for government construction will
be passed. There will be considerable dis
cussion about questions raised by the
pending treaty with Great Britain. 1 am
inclined to think Congress will pass bill
under which we will take absolute control
OF the Nicaragua canal, with q right to
fortffy 1t If we desire, or at least to close
it If we wish to In time of public danger
There is good deal Of talk about the old
Clayton-B Bulwer treaty being in the way Of
such action. When the government enters
into a treaty it is done under our Constitu-
ton. Under our Constitution treaty is
law-nO more and no lesS-and the last
law passed supersedes all others. So, any
treaty in conflict with later act of Con-
gresS is necessarily repealed to the extent
that subsequent treaty is in conflict with
it. They are both laws and the last law
is the law Of the land. If we pass act
in conflict with the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
whether that treaty Is still in force or not,
It must yield to that act of Congress so
far as this country Is concerned
Ship Subsidy Bill.
Then we have the ship subsidy BILL
of discussion. 1 feel that we certainly
ought at least make some experiment to
see If we cannot build up our merchant ma
rine, and If other great governments are
accomplishing that end by subsidies 1t is a
condition and not theory that confronts
us, as Cleveland SAID. But the session is
so short and the opposition will probably
!, be SO strong, and there will be so much dis
cussfop in the Senate, that the bill may fail
for want of time.
+ The Philippines.
I'VE have legislation pending for the gov
ernment of the Philippine Islands, but 1
don't think there will be anything passed
except the Spoonef bill. which provides in
few words for giving the President abso-
lutte civil control over the Philippines IN
the same way he now has military control.
The bill is almost identical with that which
was passed for the first government of the
Louisiana purchase"