The Press., 1901-01-31

Washington, Jan. %, 1901,

boom by no less parsonage than the
president himself. In a short message
the report of the Philippine
commission to congress, the president
recommends speedy legislation for the
Philippines. The recommendation does
not specify the Spooner bill, although the
report Of the Philippine commission does,
but that Is the only important Philippine
measure pending, and it has been demon
strated that the sentiment of the senate
has himself said on the fl ,or of the SEN
ate that he thought 1t would be best to
send congressional committee to the
Philippines before legislating definitely
Islands. AS there Is little probability
that the Spooner bill can be passed, and
mo time to perfect a new measure, the
idea Is prevalent that the president in
his intention to call an extra session Of
congress, soon after the expiration of
this session. The idea has been strength
Fened by remarks Of the president about
the justness of immediate action by con-
Egress upon the work of the constitutional
convention of Cuba, as soon as the work
is completed, which will be in the near
future, but probably not in time to be
acted upor by this congress.
Congressional hunters after army com
missions, under the new law, have re-
Eceived notice from the president that
|these commissions will, as far as possible,
be given to the men and officers who have
seen service in the Philippines as volun-
teers. Some of the hunters are disposed
to regard this as merely an expedient on
the part of the president to lessen pres
sure on him for these places, and to think
that the las far as possible" will let in a
lot Of outsiders whose "pull" cannot be
ignored Time will soon tell, as these
appointments will have to be quickly
made.
The oleomargarine bill has been report
ed to the senate, and its friends will en-
makes their success doubtful
Senator Towne, who will vacate his
seat as soon as Senator Clapp, who was
last week elected to succeed the late Sem
ator Davis of Minnesota. arrived in Wash
|ington, said goodbye in set speech, CIV
Ing his views on the important political
Questions Of the day. Mr.. Towne is a
fine speaker, and his remarks were atten.
lively listened to by those who disap.
proved them, as we'll as by those who in.
|dorsed them. ,s.
Representative II. q. Smith of Michi.
gan has introduced a bill providing for a
National freight commission OF twelve
members, who shall hold office for life,
the duty of which shall be to supervise
regulate and classify railroad freight,
and to fix the division OF freight rates
between connecting railroads and trans
portatlon lines. The bill was introduced
more to be discussed than with any ex-
pectation that 1t will be acted upon by
this congress.
The senate committee on territories
has practically decided that there will
not be time to act on the bill for the ad-
mission of Arizona t. statehood at this
session.
Senator Depew has no doubt of the
construction of the Nicaragua canal by
this government. In his speech in favor
of the ship subsidy bill he said: "With
the construction of the Nicaragua canal
which will be completed in the next few
years, the necessity of an auxiliary feet
and a merchant marine will become still
greater"
The brewers won their fight In the sen.
ate finance committee, and the amended
revenue reduction bill, reported to the
senate by unanimous vote of that com.
mittee, cuts the tax on beer to 81. 80 8
barrel, which was the figure demanded by
| the brewers of the house committee, anC
refused by that committee, and defeated
when offered as an amendment on the
floor of the house. The claim Is made
for the brewers that they have positive
| assurances that the senate will stand by
them and compel the house to accept the
rate fixed for the tax on beer.
Owing to the pressure of appropriation
bills, the ship subsidy bill Is not making
much progress in the senate. Senator
Frye, who is in charge of the bill, Is no
seeking to antagonize the appropriation
bills. On the contrary, he expressly says
that he is willing to have his bill set aside
whenever there is an appropriation bill
ready for the senate. He still maintains
that the bill will pass, while the oppo
nents of the bill say that it has no chanc,
whatever of being voted on at this ses
sion. 1t is admitted, even by Mr.. Frye
that the opponents Of the bill can keep
from vote If they really wish to do so
Senator Pettigrew, who Is one of its mos
active opponents, says there will be n,
necessity to filibuster against vote; tina
the regular appropriation bills and othe
legislation to which it must give wa,
will operate to prevent its being disposed
OF.
| Thousands Sent Into Exile.