Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-17
Subjects That Will Receive Congress
sional Attention.
CANAL AND SHIP SUBSIDY BILLS
More Power for interstate Com
merce Commission.
OF REELECTION

Senator Shelby M. Cullom of Illinois, who
has returned to Washington from the west,
says that in his opinion no attempt will be
made duriny the forthcoming session OF
Congress to settle the problem Of restricted
southern representation in Congress.
This IS a subject that must be consider
ed during long session of Congress- SAID
Mr.. Cullom to a Star reporter this AFTER
noon. 1.-The fact is, there are so many I'M
portant legislative matters to be considered
during the coming session that only the
most urgent and the most practicable OF
completion will be considered. If the south
ern representation adjustment propleIh
were precpitated it would no doubt evoke
an almost endless discussion. I have no
doubt that almost every man in Congress
would want to be heard on the subject 1t
would likewise make room for great deal
of vicious speech on the part of some mem
hers SO that on the whole 1t would pe a
most undesirable subject to consider a.
this ime.
Southern Sentiment.
."There are of course, two sides 10 the
merits of this question. 1 have no doubt
that a great many of the southern peopie
are in favor of restriction of the repre-
sentation from the south. 1 refer to the
negroes and many of the illiterate whites
In some of the southern states the free and
conscientious ballot has long since become
a nulIity The black man is either coerced
or not allowed to vote at ALL ana the Same
condition applies to many of the ignorant
whites. These people, l imagine. would
favor a curtailment of the numper Oh
southern representatives. l thlnk that tne
whole matter If to be considered at all
should be laid aside until long session OF
Congress, say. for instance. the first ses-
sion of the Fifty-seventh. That session
being long one would afford ample tlme
to give a full and complete consideration
to the subject.
The Nicaragua Canal.
"Among the important matters to be con-
sidered during this session, however is the
proposition to construct the Nicaragua
canal. If we are going to build this canal
at all now is the time. The situation seems
to have been cleared somewhat during the
past few months, so that there ought now
to be comparatively easy sailing in the di-
rectton of pushing the canal bill through
Congress l see that Costa Rica and Mic
aragua have reached an agreement where
by their boundary line has been clearly de-
fined. This removes an important obstacle
in the way of solution of the canal
problem. Congress, during the coming ses-
sion, will have time to digest the contents
of reports from commissions which have
investigated the subject. so that the House
and Senate ought to be in position to &C
complish something. The sooner the canal
IS constructed Inc DGllcT he CiIiteu
States every day Is losing benefits that
should accrue to 1t from the construction
of this waterway.
Shipping and Interstate Commerce.
II think that Congress will also pass the
shipping or so-caled subsidy bill during
this session. There has been a great deal
of unfavorable discussion concerning this
measure, but If placed in proper shape it
will be a good thing. An agreement will
no doubt be made whereby this bill, In
some form, will pass.
LAS the chairman of the interstate COM
merce committee, l am especially interest
ed in a measure providing for readjust-
ment of the interstate commerce laws. This
measure was reported to the Senate from
committee during the last session. Among
It's chief provisions is one granting author
ity to the interstate commerce commission
to decide in cases which are brought before
1t for adjustment. Under the present law
the commission is virtually without power.
l think this bill will pass, although some
amendments may be offered and adopted.
Cuba and the Philippines.
"Just what legislation we will enact on
the subject of the Philippines remains to
be seen. The President, in his Forthcoming
message, will fully advise the situa-
ton in the islands and recommend what
ever action he deems necessary, If any at
all is necessary. do not think that any
situation until the natives of that island
conclude their labors In constitutional con-
VentiOn. They are now In session, and
until they reach some conclusion we will
be in the dark as to the best possible steps
to take for their future welfare. 1t is pos
sible that nothing may be done in this
direction during this session. but eventual
ly the republican party and Mr.. Mckinley's
administration will follow the law to the
letter and give the Cuban people their in
dependence and the right of self-govern-
ment.
This will be done soon the facts
in the case justify such action. river
and harbor bill will be passed during. the
session, and 1t will probably be quite
large one.
THE recent elections proved beyond a
doubt that Organism is evanescing Four
years ago it was in full flower. but the pro-
It is now in decadence. have doubt
that four years hence the democrats will
stand by their free silver and so-called i'm
perialism issues, but those two subjects will
sooner or later fade into nothingness. The
people will not tolerate them"
Confident of Reelection.
Senator Cullom is a candidate for re-elec-
ton during the session of the Illinois state
legislature to be convened in January next.
There are two candidates for his seat Gov.
Tanner and Representative Cannon. II
have no doubt that the state legislature
will give me the necessary number of votes
to insure my return to Washington" said
Mr. Culom when questioned on the pros
! poets of his reelection. Il have assurances
from republicans in all sections of the state
that my reelection is practical certainty.