The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-01-18
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

From our regular Correspondent
Washington D. c., Jan. II, 1901.
The Senate has made considerable
progress in considering the Army Re.
organization bill, and, although no
time has ben set for vote, it is. be-
lieved that the bill will be passed dur
ing this week. The debate has com
PEELED the opponents of the bill to ac-
knowledge that the troops provided for
in the BIZ are needed in the Philip
pines. They have been compelled to
base their opposition on details of the
bill, and some of them have gone so
far as to propose furnishing the men
IN some other way. There is no likli-
hood of such a proposition being ac-
cepted, however, as, with the excep-
ton of Senator Hoar, every republi-
can is believed to be prepared to vote
for the bill. He is the only republi-
can who has spoken against it. SEN
ator Teller rather amused his collie
agues by stating that he withdrew his
speech of two years ago, in which he
scoffed at imperialism under the
American flag, and professed to sec
imperialism in the acts of the Philip
pine Commission, which is engaged in
setting up civil government in the
pacified portions of the Philippines.
Some of the democrats pretend to see
! In the bill discrimination against the
volunteer officers now in the the Phil
ippines, but that is the veriest non
sense.
The report on the River and Harbor
bill, submitted by Chairman Barton,
contains much Information concern
ing the appropriations carried by that
bill, total of $50 ,935,415. THE total
number of Improvements provided for
are 40S, of which 232 are rivers and
146 harbor. These were selected from
improvements aggrepating S3O0,O0O,-
600, which U. S. Army engineers had
estimated for.
Both supporters and opponents OF
the olemargarine bill passed by the
House, are putting forth their strong
est arguments in the hearings before
the Senate committee on Agriculture.
Present indications are that the bill
will be favorably reported to the SEN
ate, but whether it will get acted upon
will depend upon other legislation
largely.
Senator McComas predicts the form
alton OF a Socialist party in the U. S.
and that Mr.. Bryan will be its leader
and candidate for President. He cites
Mr.. Bryan's speeches in the late cam
paign as proof that he is already more
of socialist than anything else.
Those who pretended to see antag-
onism to the Ship Subsidy bill in the
vote of the Senate giving the Army
Reorganization bill the right of way
held beld by the Shipping Bill are ig-
noring the facts. 1t was agreed at the
time the Shipping Bill was made the
regular business of the Senate that if
it were not disposed of when the army
bill, which is an urgency measure, was
reported to the Senate, it should give
way to that measure. That the move
was in no way prejudicial to the Ship
ping Bill was shown by that not a sim
gle vote was cast against the motion
to put the army bill ahead.
Some surprise was felt and express
sed by the republican leaders of the
House, who had long ago decided that
the question of the restriction of suff-
rage IN the South should not be taken
up at this session of Congress when
Representative Olmsted, without con-
ferring with anyone, and entirely up
on his own responsibility, offered res
olution providing that such an investi-
CATION should be made before the re-
apportionment bill was acted upon.
Although Mr.. Olmsted had perfect
right to do this, it was somewhat sur
prising, and of course, could have but
one result the shelving of his resolu-
ton, bv sending it to the Census Com
mi.tee. Even if there had been no
other objection, it would not be posi-
BILE to procure the information upon
which to make even the most hurried
investigation within the of the present
Congress.
Hon. NJ. S. Quay is at his Washing
ton home. When asked whether he
entertained any doubts of election, he
said in very positive tone II am
just as confident of being elected to
the Senate. if live; as am that the
Pennsylvania legislature will meet on
January I5th." Mr.. Quay declined TO
discuss the story that he contemplated
resigning shortly after re-entering the
Senate, but his closest friends say the
story is all moonshine, and that, un-