The age-herald., 1901-02-12
QUESTION AS TO
 EXTRA SESSION Both Houses Are Working in
 BusineSs-Iike Way PRESIDENT UNDE TRIMMED Only BiII In the House Which Is Held Up Is the Rivers and Harbors. Cuba Question Worrying
 the Leaders.

Age-Herald Bureau, 509 Fourteenth St., N W, Washington, February 11.-(Spe- cial.)-whether or not there is to be an extra session of Cougress is still unde- termined It depends entirely upon what the present Congress can and will do. Both houses are working now with busi- nesslike rapidity. and appropriation bills are making good progress. The House has almost completed It's original work on them and those that have not already passed the Senate or have been reported from committee are being rushed in con- mittee as rapidly as Is consistent with a careful scrutiny of their provisions. The only bill on which there seems to be any delay is the rivers and harbor, which is evidently being held up in order to per- suade opponents of the subsidy bill that if they continue to fllibuster against that measure, there will be no rivers and har- bors appropriations except those pro- vided for in the sundry civil bill under the continuing contract system. Whether the committee will go to the extent of falling to report the bill unless the sub sidy bill is passed, is a question. It seems incredible that this should be done and 1t is probable that it will be reported late and then rushed through.
 The President, continues to hold that something must be done with the Cuban question. He feels that this Is a matter that should not be postponed, believing that difficult question Is best decided without delay that 1t may not be embar- rassing later. Some public men. and per- sonally an extra session would seriously discommode them, think the President shows characteristically good political judgment in insisting that the Cuban question shall be disposed of immediate ly. They say that though extra sessions are not popular it is better to hold one than to havest the Cuban question remain unsettled until the next session.
 They think, too, that the Nlcaraguan canal bill and the Philippine bill should be acted upon before the next session. because if they are not this session, and there Is no extra session. Congress will fool along until late in the summer of 1902, just before the Congressional elections, when the work of Congress will be fresh and it's actions more capable of miscon- SLTuCtfOu dUQ puOliC
 The Cuban Constitution.
 But it is not certain that the Cuban constitution will be ready for some time, and there is grave doubt as to the ad- visibility of considering it in Congress, as we'll as to the right of Congress to pass upon it. For this reason and also to avoid an extra session, resolutions stat IL .tol~ States will withdraw. which would doubt less include naval station, an agree ment by the Cubans not to become in- debted to Europe, and not to treat with foreign nations without our consent, may be proposed. Then there are some public men who insist that the fact that a constitutional convention has formu- lated a constitution is not sufficient ex-' cuse for the withdrawal of the United States. They maintain that the members of the convention are not representative, except of the revolutionary sentiment, and that the, .order-loving, sober indus trious and progressive people of the is- land are opposed to a government under such auspices. For this reason they think it too early to decide the Cuban question, and that commission should be author ized to go to Cuba and make investiga- tions and report ito Congress as to what course should be pursued.
 The latter plan would mean serious de- lay, and might create antagonism and hostility that would be harmful. Then there is a difference of opinion among public men as to the right of the United States, under the resolution of interven- tion. to impose any conditions on the Gu bans precedent to our retirement. It can be seen, then, that with this difference of opinion and the various judgments as to what should be done. there is no set- tied views among public men as to our duty in the matter. That would seem to make any speedy action, even if an ex- tra session be held, most difficult The problem is perplexing and disturbing, and the President, while desirous to witK- draw from Cuba at the earliest moment, wants to have Congress divide with him the responsibility for whatever action be taken, as we'll as to advise with him and help him in a suitable and satisfac- tory decision.
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