The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-12-27

WORK o. the Ff1tyvseventn congress.
The Fifty-seventh congress has be-
fore II many important and some
perplexing questions II promises to
BE busy and history making session.
Perhaps the question of widest pub
lie interest te be taken up is that which
relates to the building OF the isthmian
waterway. The dipl matte obstacles
which so long stood In the way have
been removed. and early and favorable
action Is expected Early IN the ses-
sion there will be submitted TO the SEN
ate new canal convention. lately sign
ed by LORD Pauncefote. acting for
Great Britain. and Secretary Hay for
the United States. which ahrosates the
old Clayton Bulwer treaty aud con
cedes the right of the United States 10
Ing II as a peutral waterway open TO
all nations with which we are al peace.
but permitting US to close Il TO the
ships OF a hostile power and to make
such Notifications as exigencies may
require. AS this is all the supporters
of strictly American canal have ever
asked there is now no reason TO doubt
that the senate will promptly rarify
the treaty. With this done. the author
ization Of the digging of the canal
ought to speedily follow. In no quar-
ter. except possibly coterie CT trans
continental railroad managers. is there
any opposition to the canal scheme.
and there is therefore no occasion for
congressional delay. The canal com.
mission has decided after thorough in
vestigarion upon the Nicaragua route
as the one most feasible. and six
mouths hence ought to see work fairly
under way on this great national en-
terprise upon which the American peo-
pie have set their hearts.
Another public enterprise which In
urgently demanded and which will IN
quesiionably be brought up early IN
the session is the Pacific cable scheme
Already a private corporation has sub
mitted a proposition TO the government,
for the laying aud maintenance OF such
cable. asking for PERMISSION TO make
Ia ndIngs on United States territory
While the necessity for submarine ca
bic communication between the United
States and Hawaii and the Philippines
10 admitted on all hands. there may be
strong differences OF opinion on the
question OF private or government
ownership and control
The Chinese exclusion act. which |
soon expires by limitation. win be TAX
en- up by this congress and probably |
passed in substantially its present |
form. Some further legislation Is prob
able In the line Of restricting immigra-
ton. the assassination Of President Nc |
Klnley having aroused 10 the public
mind . strong sentiment against the
admission OF undesirable persons. Leg
islatiou looking toward the suppression
Of anarchy and the better protection Of
presidents may also be expected
The question Of trade reciprocity viii
be one to receive especial attention. and
tariff revision ID more than likely to be
injected into the debate. though II Is
hardly probable that existing tariff
schedules will be materially disturbed
The reciprocity treaties which failed
Of confirmation a. the last session and
other reciprocal trade
agreements win probably be pressed
for senatorial approval. In view OF
The treasury surplus effort win be made
10 further reduce the war revenue
raxes
rbe shipping bin which was %
ltronely urged Ip the last congress. but
failed Of passage. win BE- again brought
With some changes In the
Iext. and pqshed With renewed vieor
by In supporserA
The rusts WIN unquestionably be
made the sppjsrt n debate u not Of
egisiation. though II b Jet too early
70 predict the nature and scope Of such
legisiation- The Industrial
which has gathered vo-
data on the Subject win sub
nis misrepresentation which may lead
q cougressional action.
With lbesr problems for it, solption.
rn~nehoe 18th eh.n s,,uoa aenrnv,rio si<u |