The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-02-20
Congress in a Mixed State.

LuES0 WSGhS lSlDdtU VI tuO soo' oSSS'0
of the Fifty Sixth Congress, and
legislative matters are in she most
chaotic condition, with strong pro-
liabilities that some Of the eppropria
ton bills will fail. thus compelling
an extra session In other words,
the chances now are that Senator
Hanna, finding that he may have dih
Guilty in getting Congress called for
the purpose Of taking action on
Cuban and Philippine matters, has
decided that it will be better to cause
an appropriation bill 10 die by the
wayside, this, of course, insuring an
extra session If this be done. be
can at least endeavor to throw the
blame for it on the Democratic tight
against the Ship Subsidy steal
There are few sessions on record
that were more chaotic and seDsa
tional at this period of their exist
ence than the present one The
deadlock over the Ship Subsidy bill
continues, and in consequence the
s6s, 00O.O 900 river and harbor bill
stands in imminent Danger Of being
slashed to pieces and destroyed !;
Republicans are threatening reprisa!s
on the Democrats for refusing to per-
init the majority to do business
Democrats are threatening counter
reprisals on the Republicans in con-
nection with proposed ipsular leg!s'
lation affecting Cuba and tie Philip
pines, and everything is ''snarled
up"
Democratic Senators BY the way.
do not propose to help Senator Hanna
out by assuming the blame for sny
legislation that fails because of lack
of time. When the Ship Subsidy
lob is before them they will talk and
express themselves at length, but
except in this instance they will IN
dulge in nothing which savors of
dilatory tactics. rather standing
ready to expedite matters IS much as
possible 10 their hope Of getting all
the needed business done at this
session
A great outcry has been raised to
frIghten them, if possible, into a less
lengthy expression of their ideas and
opinions on the SUBSIDY job. The
crying need of some legislation for
Cubs and the Philippines is the bogey
employed TO terrorize them. and they
having been told in almost as many
words that, in keeping the Admins
trasion from doing what it should for
our new island possessions, they will
ul.imately force an extra session es,
pecially for the consideration of col
onial matters This obvious attempt
to make the blame for possible ex-
traordiuary session lie with she
Democratic party has deceived no.
body bat, perhaps few innocents.
By insiders it is recognized as a
subterfuge, forming part OF the hne
of argument which will enable the
Republicans to call an extra session
and push their Shipping scheme
tbroughs
The Republican party expects to
go before the people accusing the
Democratic party of forcing the
President to convene the new con-
gress shortly after March 4 to ccnsid
er insulay matters The develop
nepts Of the last few days will
probably make this position untena
BILE, and will, if matters are carried
through as they are planned. leave
the Democratic party blameless, and
the Republican party without an ex
cuse for it's course unless an appro
priatiou bill shall fail
From what can be learned in the
Senate, the Democrats will make nc
active opposition to any moderate
form of legislation directed toward
the Philippines or toward Cuba.
Senator spooner's proposition intro
duced as an amendment. to the army
appropriation bill, while il does no'
meet with Democratic approval. vii
nevertheless be accepted without
much discussion, provided it is moi
too drastic The amendment intend
ed to be proposed by the army
appropriation bill. submitted by the
committee on reialaticns with Cuba.
and relating to Cuban government
r;ii no nocantad In the same EaY