Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-16
Gossip About Reducing Southern
Congressional Representation.
PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO SDCH ACTION
Views of Some Who Called on
Him Today.
o T H E r V 1 S I T o r S

Without the approval of President Nc
| Kinley all plans that may be formed for
| reducing the representation Of the south
| in Congress will likely come to naught
While the President has probably not given
utterance to his views recently, 1t is the
opinion of his close friends that the efforts
that will be made to cut down the repre-
sentation Of that section will not have his
sympathy, at least not at this session. The
President is said to be opposed to reviving
Ill feeling, which he thinks would be the
result Of a bill thus touching the souths
suffrage. He has been told from many
sources recently that an important element
of southern business men, manufacturers
and others, is at heart with the republi-
cans and that the nucleus Of future revo-
luton against existing political methods IN
the south has been securely established II
not disspated by legislation that would
be regarded by the south as sectional
The Presidents record and his general
views on such matters are said to be So
fully opposed to this proposed action by
Congress as to furnish innumerable reasons
for his taking stand, If necessary, against
a measure that would more or less monopo-
lize a greater part of the coming session of
Congress.
How He Would Kill a Measure.
of the veto power if it could be avoided.
He believes that the veto produces hostile
criticism and engenders bad feeling. He
has made so few in his administration that
1t is hardly known that he so exercised his
power. For that reason he would probably
not wait to use a veto should the outlook
favor the passage of bill reducing repre-
sentation. Should he conclude the measure
unwise, as Is believed would be the case.
he would probably oppose it quietly among
the administratio leaders in both houses,
thereby lnsurirg its being laid on the shelf
or permanently killed.
Some of the speculation INDUCED in has
gone so far as to suggest that the President
may say something in his message that
VIII make his attitude clear. Nothing is
positively known in this direction, and the
most plausible idea Is that if the President
is opposed to bringing the ma liter prom-
nentiy to the front ne will at the right
Congress who are known as representing
administration sentiment.
Mr.. DaytOn's Views.
Among the rank and file of the republ-
cans who have come to Washington since
the election and visited the White House
the talk of cutting down the south's ap-
portionment is popular. The more pronli-
nent leaders, however, do not commit them
selves.
At the White House today were Represen-
tatives Dayton, Bishop and Bros.us. Mr..
Dayton is strongly in favor of reducing
representation in those southern states that
have disfranchised the negro. Il am from
the south myself" said Mr.. Dayton. WHO
represents West Virginia in the House, but
! believe the representation of some of the
southern states ought to be cut down. We
ought to bring the south to an honest basis
In the matter Of franchise and get rid Of
the dishonest elements. l am in favor OF
basing the representation upon the percent
age of the population disfranchised. Or
course, l mean to reduce the presentation
In those southern states that Rave passed
constitutional amendments disfranchistng
the negro. If these states have determined
to relieve themselves Of members of Con-
gress we cannot make objection and will
help them out"
What Mr.. Brosius Thinks.
Mr. Brosius says that he does not think
a measure for cutting down the member
ship of the south will be tackled on the re-
apportionment bill to be passed by Con-
gress. A separate bill will be introduced
and considered. He thinks there will be
too much other business for 1t to get
through at this session. He regards it as
manifestly unjust. he says. that three white
men in the south should have the same
weight in governmental affairs as five white
men in the north, yet he thinks that re-
ducton measure would reawaken a great
deal of bitter feeling.
Representative Bishop, whose home is in
Michigan, thinks that the matter will be
disposed of by the republican caucuses Of
the Senate and House.
Senators Chandler, Spooner and Cullom
of the Cuban committee of the Senate talk
ed with the President this morning. Sem
ator Chandler is In good spirits regarding
the chances of his reelection to the Senate
Today's Cabinet Session.
The Chinese question and departmental
matters gave the cabinet subjects for dis
cusson today. Secretary Hay has re-
ceived from the Chinese government a
communication relative to the punishment
of the offending Boxer princes and officials.
The secretary of state is likewise engaged
In preparing some additional instructions to
Minister Conger
1t is stated that the various departments
have prepared their estimates of expendi-
lures for the fiscal year 1902. Secretary
Gage will submit them to Congress along
with his annual message. Secretary Gage
will show that the receipts will be such
for the same year as to show a surplus of
about $50, 100000 less than for the present
fiscal year. and less than for the last fis-
cal year by nearly $50OOO,0O0. This esti-
mate is based wholly on the estimates of
the departments. AS Congress rarely
in the appropriations, the surplus would
grow according to the scaling of appropria-
| tons from the estimates.
Mr.. GriGss to Retire.
President Mckinley announced to the
cabinet that he had been notified by At
torney General Griggs of the impos-
sibiity of the latter remaining in the cabi-
net after March next. The President ex-
pressed his regret that Mr.. Grisgs found 1t
necessary to leave the cabinet. and COM
mented pleasantly on the able and faithful
services rendered by the head of the De-
partment of Justice.
The Army Appropriation Bill.
Senator Hawley of the Senate military
affairs committee called at the White
House today. The bin providing for the
reorganization OF the army is now being
made up. Senator Hawley is of the opin-
ion that an army of not less than 100000
men will be required for another fiscal
year. regardless of the possible cess alton of
hOstilities in the Philippines at an early
date.
nf Vos.ap.