Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-03
A HISTORY MAKING CON-
CRESS BEGINS ITS LABORS
MISS STONE STILL LIVES,

washington, Dec. 2.-Secretary #
Hay this afternoon received ca. s.
biegram from Spencer Eddy, at a
ConstantinoPle, saying he received =
information on what he regarded "
as good authority to the effect that 3.
Miss Stone and Madame Tslka -
are still alive. y
= q II y =
3ress upon whether the government
should build and own the cable or
whether private corporation should
De authorized to land it. This differ
ehce III opinion resulted in failure to
act. Hawaii and the Philippines are
demanding the cable, and the mercan-
tile interests of the country will prob
ably bring pressure to bear upon con-
gress sufficiently to force action.
Ship Subsidy.
Senator Frye of Maine and Senator
Hanna of Ohio have repeatedly de-
clared during the recess that this con-
gress would pass ship subsidy bill.
The bill of last session has been modi-
ned, but 1t cannot be told until it is
introduced and its provisions scanned
whether the modified measure meets
the objections raised against the old
Dill by an influential faction Of the
republican party of the house. 1t is
the general belief that some kind of a
ship subsidy bill will be passed at this
session.
Purchase Danish West Indies.
In addition to these important mat
~f
indies is likely to receive some atten-
ton 1t is understood that negotia-
tlons which have been conducted for
months past have reached a point
Where they may be carried to a finish
here in Washington. The difficulties
that beset the agreements have been
gradually eliminated one after the
other, until there is good prospect of
an early final agreement If acquired.
these islands will undoubtedly become
part of the territory of Porto Rico,
the nearest largest body of land.
Reciprocity.
The reciprocity question is GER
tam to give the session much concern.
While there is very certain senti-
ment IN favor Of reciprocity, there are
a variety of opinions as to how far it
should go, and what it should embrace.
ihe trouble will be to reach a basis of
agreement. Local and selfish interests
are bound to intrude themselves and
make 1t difficult to reach a conclusion
that VIII brmg the desired results.
Gold Standard.
one or more bills will be introduced
IN the house to supplement and
strengthen the act of March IA, 1900
known as the gold standard law. Mr..
oVerstreet. of Indiana, who is regard
ed as the author of the gold standard
law, and a member of the banking
committee, has prepared a bill the
purpose OF which is to require the sec
retary of the treasury to exchange on
demand gold coin for standard silver
dollars. The present law makes it the
duty of the secretary to maintain all
forms of government money at parity.
but leaves much to his discretion. and
it is with view to correcting this and
making the exchange mandatory that
the oVerstreet bill has been prepared.
Reduction of War Revenue.
The question whether or not the
war revenue taxes should be reduced
may lead to a lively fight among the
republican members of the house ways
and means committee. Chairman
Payne favors a material reduction and
intends to introduce a bill providing
for the cut. On the other hand an
important faction of the committee,
led by such influential members as
Representative Hopkins of Illinois
and Representative Tawney of Mime,
sofa, are opposed to any depletion of
the revenues until all the govern
ment's financial necessities abe, assert
ed and provided for.
Just what course President Rcose-
welt will take respecting these many
matters will, naturally, not be known
until his message is submitted to con-
gress. His intention to follow out the
policy mapped ont by President Nc
kinley will probably be followed,
though many republicans, as we'll as
democrats. seem to be OF the opinion
that he will go a little further.
MESSAGE HAS NO SURPRISES.