The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-16
AT NEXT SESSION
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL is GER
TAIN TO BECOME A LAW.
SAYS CONGRESSMAN LESTER.
OF THE DIS
TRICT TELLS OF TIE BILLS
DEFEAT.

| Col. r.. r. Lester Believes That Sem
ator Carter Was Inspired by the
Administration to Take the Stand
He Did I'm Opposition to the Bits
Passage and to Talk Ii TO Death.
Contemplation of the Billion DOL
lar Congress Had Begun to Alarm
the Powers That Be-The Matter
with Senator McLnurin.
Congressman Rufus E. Lester returned
Yesterday morning from Washington. The
defeat of the river and herbor bill, he
said, was but temporary. and the bill will
certainly be passed at the next session
of Congress.
Col. Lester was disappointed at the de-
feat of the bill, and the consequent fall
ure of Savannah to receive the additional
appropriation needed to give the city Is
foot channel from the wharves to the sea.
He believes, however, is convinced, indeed,
that the failure to receive the appropria-
ton is temporary only, and that the next
Congress will give the money needed 20
give Savannah the deep-water facilities
to which her commercial Importance enti-
ties her.
He ascribes the defeat of the bill to the
scare given the administration by the
contemplation of congressional appropria-
tions exceeding $1,000, 100000 and the de-
sire to make a horizontal cut that would
reduce them to considerably below that
figure. 1t was with this idea, Col. Lester
believes. that the administration inspired
Senator Carter to talk the bill to death.
Col. Lester was asked how the Demo-
cratic senators and representatives had
come to look upon the recent performance
of Senator McLaurin of South Carolina,
who has Withdrawn from the Democratic
caucus, favored measures that violate the
traditions of the party and otherwise con-
Quoted himself in manner to warrant
the conclusion that he no longer consid-
ers himself Democrat.
Il don't care to discuss the matter"
said Col. Lester, Save to say that the
Democrats in Congress have been some
what at a loss to account for Senator
McLaurin's recent actions. don't know
what his purpose has been nor what
his intentions are" OLE
Col. Lester could not be induced to
commit himself to an opinion as to the
! probable course Of action to be pursued
| by the Democratic members of the next
| Congress
Our policy and plan of action in the
House," he said, have been shaped in
the past by events We have met ques-
| tons as they have confronted us and
thus far ahead it is not possible to say
with just what matters Congress will be
| called upon to deal. We must
make our plan of battle conform to con-
ditions as they exist about us"
Col Lester takes no stock in the re-
cent agitation of the question of the Dem
ocratic leadership in the Senate 1t has
been stated that there was a rivalry for
the position between Senator Jones, the
hitherto acknowledged leader, and Sena-
| tor Bacon of Georgia.. Col. Lester does
not believe that any such rivalry exists
or that Senator Bacon is anxious to pose
| or be posed In such an attitude. Senator
Jones will continue to lead the Demo-
cratic forces in the future, as he has in
the past, and he will continue, in the flu
| ture as in the past, to have Senator Ba-
| cons earnest support.
Col. Lester says that Speaker Hender-
son will be reelected by the Republicans,
to preside over the next Congress. The
representative from this district does not
enthuse over the amiability of the pres
ent Speaker, as presiding officer, say
! ing that he is, quite as arbitrary as Speak
er Reed, and not at all as intellectual
man. Richardson of Tennessee, in Col.
Testers opinion, will be the Democratic
candidate for Speaker of the House ana
the leader of its forces upon the floor of
the next Congress.
The appropriation for the Charleston
Exposition, he said failed Of passage be-
cause the giving of expositions had de-
| generated into a fad. At every session
of Congress there are applications from
one or more cities for a government ap-
preparation, to provide for an exhibit of
the national resources at some exposi-
ton. There are many congressman who
are opposed to such appropriations in
toto and In connection with the
already heavy expenditures of the
alright the more timid members.
this feeling was sufficient to keep
Charleston from receiving the appropria-
ton. Col Lester was asked If the ac-
ton of the South Carolina general as
sembly. in proposing 20 condemn Senator
McLaurin for his vote the ship-sub-
sidy bill, could have occasioned the re-
sentiment of the Republican members of
Congress and thus induced their votes
to deny the appropriation asked for by
Charleston. He did not believe this was
at all the case.
Col Lester is convinced the defeat of
the river and harbor bill was an unwise
measure, and that no real saving to the
country will result. The bill is a good
one, ne says, ana Nne WOFkS OF pubic
improvement for which it provides are
needed. They must be done some day,
and the next Congress, realizing the truth
of this, will pass the Dill.
In the meantime there will be deteriora-
ton in some of the works now in process
of construction or requiring continuing
appropriations to keep them in good
shape. Fortunately, Savannah has at her
disposal a sufficient sum of money to pre-
vent such deterioration here. and work
may still be continued for the improve
ment of the channel under the present
project.
Col Lester reached the city yesterday
In ample time to cast his ballot for ordln-
airy and tax collector. which he did dur
ing the morning hours. He is looking
well, having quite recovered from his re-
cent indisposition. Col Lester expects 10
be in the city for the next three months.
SCREVEN'S SUCCESSOR.