Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-12-27
Washington Letter.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1900,


in the senate in the interests Of those
who wish to prevent action On the
Nicaragua Canal bill at this session.
aud it is being done largely in the name
Of patriotism. The lobbyists have
taken advantage OF the strong public
sentiment in favor OF Americanizing the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty, not so much
because they are patriotic, as because
they saw therein chance, although a
slim one, to prevent the passage of the
Nicaragua canal bill at this session,
and not few senators who voted for the
Americanlzing amendments to the treaty
under the impression that they had
given their patriotism the benefit OF the
doubts they entertained, really did go
because Of the insidious influences
brought to bear on them by tho lobbyists
in the employ Of the Panama canal
Company. Now that 1t is certain that
the amended treaty will be ratified by
the senate, probably before the Christ.
mas recess, which will begin next Fri
day, the question of whether it will
delay action on the canal bill, is being
asked. Secretary Hay expresses the
opinion that England will reject the
amended treaty, but that opinion is not
held by many senators. Should Eng
land reject the treaty, the passage Of a
joint resolution by congress. declaring
the Clayton Bulwer treaty abrogated is
regarded as certain, bnt all this. as the
slick lobbists very well know, will con.
sumo time, and il action on the canal
ia made to wait upon the settlement Of
he treaty question 1t will hardly take
place at this session. Senator'S who
realize this, are now urging that the
Nicaragua canal bill shall be taken up
and passed, regardless Of treaties and Of
what other nations may have to say
about il.
The annual convention Of the American
Institute OF Architects, held in Washing
ton, did not like the model Of the pro.
posed additions to the White House,
now on exhibition in the east room Of
that historic building, and did not
hesitate TO say so in vigorous resolu-
tion, asking congress not to adopt the
plans which have been prepared. and
declaring that 'the country will be
justly dissatisfied, II the very best
possible improvements to the presidents
mansion shall not be secured" In
addition, committee Of eminent
architects was appointed 10 personally
see that congress was made acquainted
with the wishes OF the convention ON
this matter, and to ask that COM
mission OF architects be provided for to
draw up plans for the improvement Of
the White House.
Representative Brick, Of Indiana, has
offered resolution providing for an
investigation by committee OF the
house, Of the disgraceiul charge alleging
a conspiracy among United States court
officials to get hold OF the profits OF min.
ing properties In Cape Nome, through
placing them in the hands OF receivers
appointed by the United States court,
on trumped up suits,
The proposition 10 settle the census
apportlonment question by caucus Of
the house majority, had to be abandoned
because OF the diversity OF opinion
among the members, and the matter
will probably be fought out on the aoor
Of the house, after the census committee
reports its bill, which is likely TO
provide for an increase in the house
membership, which will prevent tho
loss Of members Of any state. Rep
resentative Hopkins, chairman Of the
census committee. has introduced a
bill OF his own fixing the membership OF
the house at 357, It's present number,
which gives the following states one
member less than they now have
Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine,
Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina and
Virginia, and gives Illinois, Louisiana
New Jersey, New York, Minnesota and
West Virginia one more member each
than they now have and Texas two
additional members.
Senator Allen has proposed an amend
ment TO the Ship Subsidy bill, nov
before the senate, providing for the pay
ment oi bounty on all agricultural
products exported. Senator Hanna has
abandoned hope Of getting the bill
through the senate before the holidays
and will be very well satisfied TO get i
through at all. There are signs indicat
ing that the interests which are aitel
getting more reductions in the reyennl
reduction bill by the senate are quietly
!, exerting their influence to defeat TIA,
! ship subsidy bill, because they regart
it's passage as formidable bar TO an!
further revenue reduction.
. Delegate Wilcox Of Hawaii, was sworl
In as a member Of the fiouse wthou
objection, although several protest
) against seating him had been sent iron
> Hawaii to elections committee No.
None OF them, however, were sufficient
I substantiated to base any action on, bu
. they may be at any time the proper eyI
5 dence is brought forward. Mr.. Wilco
: doesn't talk In Washington as he ha
E been credited with talking in Hawai-
, He Gays that while he favored th
= !. restoration oi the queen before Hawa
), was formally annexed, he is now q
d American citizen and that he, and othe
y Hawaiians, are entirely satisfied wit
7 existing conditions, having learned b.
/ experience that they enjoy create
privileges than under the royal regim,
!, Congress lie getting so businesslik