The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-02-12
Washington Letter.

doubters, the conditions all seem Ia
point toward an extra session. regard.
less of the effort that is now being
made to force the Ship Subsidy bill
/ through the Senate. As "A matter of
/ fact, il is doubtful whether that meas
ure i factor either way. 1t is
Philippine and Cuban affairs that is
seemingly making an extra cession
inevitable. The plea of the Phil
ippine Commission for legislation au-
thorizing form of civil government
for the islands is being supplement- led
by daily appeals from great business
Interests, not only in the islands but
in this country and in several Euro.
pean countries.
In addition to this, is the question
of dealing with Cuba. For several
months Il Cuban convention has been
making constitution, and its work
Is expected to he completed before the
adjournment of this session Of Con-
gress, but there will De no time for
Congress to act on that Constitution.
as it must do before it can become
effective. II the Cubans get their
Constitution To Washington by, say
the first of March, it would hardly he
fair to make them wait until the reg.
uIar session Of Congress met, next
December, to find ont whether it will
be acceptable to Congress. There
are other Important matters, iuclud-
ing the Nicaragua Canal. which
ought to he legislated upon by Con
gress and which have no show at this
session. All these things add to the
probability that spring session will
be called.
If Secretary Wilson isn't proud of
the compliment paid him, on the
floor of the House, by Representa- tive
Williams, of Miss, political oppon-
ent, he ought to be. 1t was while
the Agricultural appropriation bill,
just passed by the House, was unIer
discussion, and Secretary Wilson was
being criticised by members Of his
own party for keeping h. list of
those eligible TO appointment in his
department secret, that Mr.. Williams
declared Mr.. Wilson to be absolute.
ly the ron partisan and impartial"
MIR. Williams added that probably
one reason why Secretary Wilson
kept the eligible list closed WAS to
escape partisan pressure for appoint.
ments from members Of his own par
ty.
Representative Cooper, of Wis.
Chairman Of the House Committee ON
lnsular affairs, is one of those who
think there ought to be all extra ses-
sion Of Congress 70 deal with insulsr
affairs He said: "All our bills are
lncubating until we get the decision
of the Supreme Court. There ought
to be civil government in the Phil
ippines, and Congress ought to vote
the necessary authority, even if il
does require an extra session"
The developments in the Vest
Point hozing investigation has start.
ed strong movement for similar
investigation at Annapolis Repre-.
sentative Sherman, OF New York,
has offered a resolution providing for
on investigation, and Representative
Watson, of Ind, says he has been
furnished the names of reputable
persons who will testify that a cadet
at Annapolis was made to stand ON
his head in tub of water so long
that it brought on an attack of pneu-
monia, from which he died.
Men DO longer fight in Congress for
the passing Of the lie. Early this
week, in connection with an Indian
bill dealing with an agreement with
the Kiowas and Commanches. Dele
gate Flynn accused Representative
stephens Of Texas, Of having sur
reptiously inserted clause in the
bill which would permit whites to-
take lands allotted to Indians with
out compensation. Mr.. Stephens
declared the charge without founda
ton aud added: 81 believe il il
knowingly aud maliciously made 4"
At this stage the speaker interfered.
In the old days there would have
been meeting outside Of the House
100 which there would have been 40
interference.
It's now certain that the Supreme
Court will not hand down u.s. decis.
ion in the insular cases before Feb.
ruary %, as the court announced
recess from today untillFebruary H..
when q session will be held for the
announcement Of decisions and re.
g....t.,. &C.,. 80