The Press., 1900-12-20
washington Letter.
Washington, Dec. 17, 19O'

Washington, Dec. 17, 1900. the senate in the interests of those who wish to prevent action on the Nicaragua canal bill at this session, and 1t 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-Pauncefortet treaty not so much because they are patriotic, as because they saw therein g. chance, al- though slim one, to prevent the passage of the Nicaragua canal bill at this session, and not few senators who voted for the Americanizing amendments to the treaty under the impression that they had given their patriotism the benefit of the doubts they entertained, really said so because of the insidious influences brought to bear on them by the lobbyists in the employ of the Panama canal company. Now that it is certain that the amended treaty will be ratified by the esenate-probably before the Christmas recess, which will begin next Friday-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 England reject the treaty, the passage of a joint resolution by congress, declaring the Clay ton- Bulwer treaty abrogated, is regarded as certain, but all this, as the slick lobby ists very we'll known will consume time, and if action on the canal is made to wait upon the settlement of the treaty question it will hardly take place at this session Senators who realiz- this, are now ul gine that tha Nicaragua canal b Il shall b. taken up and passed, regardless of treaties and of what other nations may have to say about it.
 The proposition to settle the census apportionment question by caucus oi the house majority, had to be abandoned because of the diversity of opinion among the members, and the matter will prob ably be fought out on the floor of th+ house, after the census committee reports it's bill, which is likely to provide for ar will prevent the loss of members by any state. Representative Hopkins, chairman of the census committee, has introduced bill of his own, fixing the mem bership O. the house at 357, it's present number which gives the following states on' member less than they now have: Indiana Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, anC gives Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey New York, Minnesota and West Virginis one more member each than they nov have and Texas two additional members Senator Allen has proposed an amend meDt to the ship subsidy bill, now before he senate, providing for the payment O bounty on all agricultural products ex ported. Senator Hanna has aban donec hope of getting the bill through the sen ate before the holidays. and will be yer, well satisfied to get through at all. Ther. are signs indicating that the interests
 
 in the revenue reduction bill by the sen ate are quietly exerting their influence tt defeat the ship subsidy bill. because the, regard it's passage as a formidable bar te any further revenue reduction.
 Delegate Wilcox of Hawaii, was sworr in as a member of the house without ob | lection, although several protests against seating him had been sent from Haw aii None of them, however were sufficiently substantiated to base any action on, but they may be at any time if the proper evi dence Is brought forward. Mir. Wilcox doesn't talk in Washington as he has beer credited with talking in Hawaii. He says that while he favored the restoration O the queen before Hawaii was formall, annexed, he is now an American citizen and that he, and other Hawaiians, ars entirely satisfied with existing conditions having learned by experience that they enjoy greater privileges than under tht royal regime.
 With one exception-striking out thu clause abolishing one-sixth and one-eigh beer barrels,-t revenue reduction bill was passed by the house just as reported by the ways and means committed. Al attempt to get the beer tax further reduced was made, but 1t was voted down. Ths brewers, however, have not given up They will try again in the senate.