The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1900-12-02
opening of this session Of congress, viii

opening of this session of congress, viii
undoubtedly discuss at length the Phil
ippine question, though it is hardly
probable that any legislation will be
reached this winter touching the mat
ter of the status or future government
of the Filipinos. The senate has a
Philippines committee, of which Henry
Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts is chair
man, while In the house matters relat-
ing to this subject would come before
the insular committee, of which Henry
A. Cooper of Wisconsin is chairman.
1t seems highly improbable, however.
that affairs in the Philippines will
reach such a stage within the life of
Athis congress as to require special con-
sideration from these committees.
The isthmian canal bill is on the cal
endar of the senate, having passed the
house at the last session. and there is
q general feeling that it ought to pass
at this session. Senator John T. Nor
gan, who, by the way, was the other
day accorded the unusual honor of be-
Ing unanimously reelected to the SEN
ate for the fifth consecutive term, Is
chairman OF the interOceanic canal
committee, which has In charge the
legislation providing for an isthmian
waterway Senator Morgan has been
especially devoted to this project and
will continue to zealOusly urge it until
the enterprise Is conSummated. While
the canal bill will be taken from the
calendar aud discussed, final action
will Doubtless be deferred until the re-
port of the canal commission is receiv-
ed. and 1t is doubtful if that will be
presented before the close Of the COM
ing session. 1t is intimated that the
commission will soon make a prelimi-
nary report, but that it's complete re-
port will not he made until next spring,
so that the authorization of this great
enterprise is likely to go over until aft
er the opening of the next congress.
thus entailing the loss of years time
unless an extra session should he call
ed. Except on the part of those direct
ly interested i'm tranScontinental rail
way traffic, there is no considerable ell
ement either in congress or out Of it OPP
posed to the building and control by
the United States of a waterway to
connect the Atlantic aud Pacific oceans.
however much of difference of opinion
there may he as to route and detail.
and there is a very general feeling that
its beginning should mark the opening
of the twentieth century.
The Pacific cable scheme Is another
matter which is fully ripe for congress
siOnal action and is likely to receive
favorable consideration at the coming
session. The need of such a line Of
communication, particularly between
San Francisco and Honolulu. Is admit
ted on all sides. There is practically
no opposition to the government build
ing and operating a Pacific cable.
though any proposition to suhsidize a
private corporation to build and oper-
ate such a line would be. strenuously
opposed.
Doubtless the warmest fight Of the
coming session will he over the ship
subsidy bill, the avowed purpose Of
which is the rehabilitation Of our mer
chant marine.
The question OF the reapportionment
of congress under the twelfth census,
II taken up at the short session, will
furnish material for a pretty hot BIZ
partisan fight. but there Is a sentiment
that pending measures on the calendar
should receive attention before taking
up the matter of reapportionment
which. many believe. can just as well
wait until the next congress.
Propositions looking to the reduction
of the war revenue tax will unqueS-
tionably be presented at this session.
though 1t Is yet too early to indicate
what form they will take If the con-
ditions continue to require the mainte-
nance of a large army In the Philip
pines and a considerable force In Chi
ma, 1t is not probable that the party Of
the administration will favor any large
reduction In the governments income
from this source
A matter In which the public has for
some time taken much interest and