The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1901-12-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Regular Correspondent.
Washington, Dec. ., 1901.

Washington, Dec. y, 1901.
Since the first session of Con-
gress, one week ago to-day, large
amount of work has been accom-
plished considering that this is the
first session Of a new Congress. No
Legislation of Importance has been
actually enacted but a gratifying
number Of preliminary details have
been disposed of.
On Tuesday the Presidents mes
sage was read in both houses and
met with the almost universal APP
proval OF the members, but two
recommendations meeting with any
opposition from the Republicans.
Those are Colonel Rooscvelt's ad-
vocate of the Inauguration OF a
federal irrigation system and his
advice on the subject of reciproci-
ty which II not concurrcd In by
some of the members of his party.
As soon as the message had been
read and referred to the committee
Of the whole by the House, that
body adjourned until Friday.
Before adjournment however a
large number of bills were filed
with the clerk the total number ag-
gregating over two thousand.
Among the bills which have been
introduced are measures providing
for Chinese exclusion, the enforce
mcnt OF the Dingley tariff sched-
ules in the Philippines, Ia measure
made necessary by the setting
aside OF the present tariff law as
applied to the islands by n Supreme
Court dccision) numerous bills
intended to suppress anarchy and
punish attempts on the life Of the
President; bill providing pen
sion OF 5000 per annum for Mrs.
Mckinley; abill providing for the
reservation Of 4,O0O,0SO acres OF
forest land In the Southern Apa-
lachian mountains to be known as
the Mckinley National Park, and
numerous bills intended to remedy
the evils attendant upon the for
nation of trusts.
Probably the most important
work In the House has been the
nomination by Speaker Henderson
of the Ways and Means Commit
tee, the Appropriations Committee
and the committee on enrolled
bills. The Ways and Means
committee is composed Of Repre-
scntatives Payne, Hopkins,
Grosvenor, Russell, Steele, Taw-
ney, Mccall, Long, Babcock, Met
calf, (Republicans) Richardson,
Robertson, Swanson, Mcclellan,
Newlands and Cooper, Demo-
crats.) This includes one more Re-
publican and one less Democrat
than formerly, Speaker Henderson
believing that, In view Of the in
creased majority In the House, the
Republicans were entitled to in
creased representation on this inn
portant committee.
Immediately after the appoint
ment Of the committee 1t met In
the Capitol to discuss the Phil
ippine tariff situation and another
meeting was held on Saturday. No
time will belost In reporting a bill
which will meet with the approval
of majority Of both the House
and the Senate. II Is the hope OF
Speaker Henderson and Chairman
Payne that this necessary lcgisla-
ton may be enacted before the
holiday adjournment. Senator
Lodge introduced bill into the
Senate providing for the applica-
ton OF the schedules of the Ding
ley bill to the Philippines but, as
all revenue legislation should orig
mate in the House, 1t Is probable
that the Senator's bill will give
way to that reported by the Ways
and Means Committee.
On Wednesday the Senate re-
ceived from the President the re-
port of the Isthmian Canal Com
mission and the Hay-Pouncefote
treaty. The provisions OF the
treaty accorded with the predic-
tions made in these letters. 1t calls
for no compensation to Great Brit
ain in return for the abrogation si
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and
leaves the United States the sole
master of the canal with the right
to fortify or otherwise protect A