The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-02-21
Z, Washington Letter.
washington, Feb. is. 1901

Washington Letter.
washington, Feb. is. 1901.
Senators and representatives, who have
talked with the president within the last
few days, have no doubt that there will be
. spring extra session of the next con-
gress, regardless Of whether any Of the ap-
preparation bills are left unacted upon by
this congress, although there Is still
possibility that 1t may be avoided, If all
the appropriation bills get through, by
the dilatoriness of the Cnbans In finishing
their constitution. The president says
that II the Cubans finish their constitution
within the next few weeks, he intends
calling an extra session to act upon 1t,
and II an extra session Is called for that
purpose, 1t will most likely go into other
matters. For instance, the ship subsidy
bill, which has no chance at this session,
and revenue reduction. II the present bill
fails In conference, as it now seems In a
fair way to do, because Of the refusal of
the house conferes to accept the big cut
III beer and tobacco taxes made by the
senate. It Is said that the house conferes
are receiving administration encourage
ment to hold out against the senate
The senate is now considering the oleo-
margarine bill, but whether it will be
voted upon Is not yet apparent. 1t will
pass II a vote is taken. ...-
Those interested In the river and har-
boI bill, which is still In the hands of the
senate committee on commerce, are really
alarmed about the measure, although 1t
will be reported this week. Threats that
the bill would be held back until the ship
subsidy bill has reached vote, have
been implied for sometime, both on the
floor of the senate and outside, but 1t was
not until Senator Hanna's speech, made
after he had been fully convinced that the
ship subsidy bill would not be allowed to
reach vote, that the river and harbor
bill, was openly attacked. Mr.. Hanna
said at the close Of his speech, defending
the ship subsidy bill, and his efforts in
its behalf: "If 1t is the object of meas
ures pending before congress merely to
get money out Of the treasury, what about
the river and harbor bill? I say here
that there are propositions in that bill
that would make the shipping bill look
pale" This is taken to mean that Sen.
ator Hanna will aid those who are trying
to hold up the river and harbor bill. Ar
attem,t is being made to add to the
popularity Of the bill by an amendment
providing authority for the acquisition Of
right of way for the Nicaragua canal. A
bid for western votes has been made by
the committee agreeing to amendments
provided for storage reservoirs In ariC
states.
The pot has been calling the kettle
black In both branches OF congress, II
connection with appropriations, and thu
fact has been pretty strongly brought ou
that personal interest has more to do will
advocating or opposing appropriation
than party lines. All of which is yer!
human. Senators and representative
find it easy to support appropriations de
sired by sections they represent, and t.
declare appropriations desired by othe
sections, extravaganza. This was ap
parent when majority leader, like Chair
man Cannon, of the house committee OF
appropriations, consumed an entire da.
In filibustering against private claims, ant
| pfof1 nhor rlo
er of the minority, of trying to loot tn
treasury. The plain fact is that tn
enormous total of the appropriations tina
will be made by this congress, has alarme
sentatives.
Senator Tillman has given Senator Bev
eridge a new name-''The wasp from tn
Wabash"-that will probably stick. Ser
ator Beveridge tried to get back by ez
pressing pleasure that the sting had ha
Its effect, but Senator Tillman retorte
laughingly: The trouble was that tn
wasp did not have any sting. He onl
buzzed and buzzed around me and / ha
to brush him Off" The incident was
reminder Of the one In the house, som
years ago, when Ben Butler disposed c
"Sunset" Cox, who had been trying t
irritate him during a discussion, by say
Ing, as he waved his hands around hi
head: "Shoo fly, don't bother me.
There was no animosity in the Tillmar
Beveridge incident as they were shakin
hands and chatting pleasantly three mir
utes afterwards.
1t is understood that none of the nun
erous public building bills, favorably n
ported to the house, will be acted upoI
owing to decision Of the majority leae
ers to try to hold down the total of al
propriations. 1t is not certain, howeve
that the decision will hold, as the friend
Of these bills can exert powerful pre-
sure and they are doing it.
Friends OF both officers regret that til
Sampson-Schley controversy has broh
out anew on account of the renewal of tL
presidents recommendation that Sampso
be jumped over Schley. Earnest attemp
are being made to agree on some sort
a compromise that will be acceptable
friends of both and end the troubleson
affair, but the outlook for a successf
compromise is not particularly promisiI
owing to the hot heads among the frient
of both officers.
A Secret of Youth.
One night at reception which Ser
: ator Beveridge and attended soon aft