Middletown transcript., 1901-02-02
Washington Letter.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
president Mckinley is too wise states
man to cross the extra session bridge
before he gets to it. He has called the
attention of Congress to the legislation
he considers necessary, as it is his dutv
to do so. If Congress fails to act, it will
then be his duty to consider whether an
extra session will be necessary. Natur-
ally, ne would prefer avoiding an extra
session. but he will not allow his prefer
ence to cause him to shirk his duty.
Whether there will be an extra session
depends upon Congress, not upon the
President.
~
Senators and Representatives who
have called at the White House in the
interests of constituents who seek COM
missions in the Army, under the Re-or-
ganlzatlon Act, have been very plainly
informed by the President that so far as
1t Is possible to do so, these appointments
Will be given to the officers and men who
have served with the volunteers in the
Philippines. This position is such
just one that nobody has uttered one
word of protest against it.
~
The amended Revenue Reduction Bill,
which will be taken up by the Senate
this week, makes about the same reduc
ton in the revenues-S4O, 900, OOO-that
the House bill did, but the items differ
widely. The Senate bill reduces the tax
on beer to S1.5O, which the House refused
by vote to do.
~
Rapid progress is being made in both
House and Senate in disposing of the
regular appropriation bills, and it is not
probable that any of them will fail,
whatever other legislation may be left
unacted upon at the close of the session.
~
The lawyer who wins the most cases
naturally gets the most clients. C. A.
Snow & Co., the Washington Patent Law
yers, get more allowances of patents than
any other firm practicing before the
United States Patent Ofice-last year
they got 1897, many OF which had been
previously rejected.
-
Senator Depew has received many con-
gratulations on his speech in favor of the
Ship Subsidy bill. Having been rail
road man all his life, he is thoroughly
familiar with the transportation of freight
both on land and sea. He cited numer-
ous excellent reasons why the Subsidy
bill should become law, not the least
Of which was contained in these words
Of his: ''It is estimated that there is
paid by American producers to foreign
ship owners in freight charges, at least
bl75, 900, 600 year. Four per cent. on
his would give us an American Merchant
Marine, and the expenditure of much
he larger part of this money in our own
~
Before giving up his seat to Senator
Jlapp, elected by the Republican Legis- =
ature of Minnesota to succeed the late
senator Davis, Senator Towne, the demo-
'op, who held the seat few weeks by
appointment, made poll
ical speech, in which all the isms con-
lemned by the majority of the uoters in
he late campaign, were exploited A
esolution for the independence of The
Philippines was made the text for this
vail of woe.
~
President McKinley's message to Con-
ress, transmitting report of Secretary
Root, and report of the Philippine com
mission, on existing conditions and needs
n the islands, although not long, is re-
ewing much attention. 1t concludes
nth these words: '1 earnestly recon-
nend legislation under which the govern
lent of the islands may have authority
, assist in their peaceful industrial de
elopment in the directions indicated by
he Secretary of War" The Philippine
commission strongly urges the passage OF
be Spooner Philippine bill by Congress,
aging of it: "Until its passage, no
urely central civil government can be
no public franchise of any
ind granted, and no substantial invest
lent of private capital in internal i'm
rovements is possible" Of the need OF
vii laws in the islands, the report says:
The Army has brought the Philippines
the point where they offer ready and
5tractive field for investment and enter
rise, but to make this possible, there
ust be mining laws, homestead and
nd laws, general transportation laws,
anking, and currency laws" OF the
'neral condition the report says, after
oting the favorable effect of the re-elec-
On of President Mckinley: ''From
NV on conditions in these islands will
ow steadily better, and however formid-
'le the difficulties really are, the posi-
lities that present themselves of i'm
owing the condition of the people in 4
ucation, wealth, comfort, and in the n
lowledge of how to govern themselves,
mot but awaken the deepest enthus-
IN on the part of every friend of civili-
ton, familiar with the actual condi
MS" Many believe that President
cKinley will call an extra session
is Congress fails to act upon his recom
as lack of time may compel
to do. Senator Lodge, Chairman
e Philippine Committee, expresses oelJ
ence that the Philippine legislatie
by the President, can
shed through the Senate in few day
t that confidence is not generally
ared by Senator'S His committd is
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