The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-10-09
ARTHUR ROPES. General Edit OF
National Matters of Serious Concern,


inquiry interests when there is nothing
more exciting than the daily contra
dictions of naval officers and the
squabbles of counsel, ex-Secretary Al
GERS book makes a momentary ripple
on the stream of current events, but
among the more serious-mnded the APP
preaching session of Congress is the
matter of largest interest.
And first among the important mat
ters of serious concern that will de-
msnd the attention of the national
legislature will be the revision OF the
tariff, work which seems necessary
and unavoidable, 1t may be impossi-
BILE to predict the extent at this time,
but it is clear that some revision will
be imperative; good politics, good
craftsmanship and the judgment Of the
Chief Executive and accredited party
leaders all demand it. Once taken up,
with the numerous and conflicting in-
terests which it will so seriously affect,
it will require an amount of consider
alton and adjustment which of itsel
would serve TO occupy Congress for
considerable time. Representative
Babcock, of Wisconsin, who is now in
Washington, declares his intention of
pushing the passage OF the bill he in
troduced last session, which places on
the free list certain iron and steel
schedules, and this measure will prob
ably be supported by other congress-
men.
The relations of the United States
with Cuba will necessarily come up for
consideration. 1t will be remembered
that before the Cuban constitutional
convention accepted the Platt amend
ment" and embodied its provisions in
the constitution, committee, with
DIR. Diego Tonnage as chairman, visited
Washington, and conferred with the
President and with Secretary r )ot. On
its return home, it held out hopes th at
were hardly warranted by the facts,
and as result it seems to be the belief
in Havana that the administration in
Washington will urge upon Congress
legislation admitting Cuban sugar and
tobacco to the United States free of
duty. 1t will tax President Rooseyelt's
diplomacy to the utmost to handle this
matter in his message and it will call
for the exercise of craftsmanship by
Congress to so legislate as TO avoid an
tagonizing Cuba, aud at the same time
provide proper protection for Amer
lean interests. A treaty that will
prove satisfactory to all concerned
must be framed and the undertaking
will not be an easy one.
The time has come to define more
specifically the governments policy in
regard to the Philippines. 1t may be
that some "anti-expansion" pyrotech-
mics will be displayed by the Demo-
Gratis, but for all practical purposes OPP
position to the retention of the Philip
pine islands has ceased to exist. The
capture of Aguinaldo and the establish
ment of civil government over the
greater portion of the archipelago have
discounted the lurid oratory designed
for partisan purposes, both in Wash
ington and in the New England
branch of the Filipino junta.
Who shall lay and maintain the Pa
cific cable to Hawaii, Guam and the
Philippines is a question that will have
to be decided at the next session of
Congress. Three interests will proba-
bly, be represented, one favoring the
payment of subsidy of sc, 00O, 900 to a
private corporation upon the compile
ton of the laying of the cable by that
concern; another favoring the laying
and maintenance of the cable by the
government, and third advocating the
granting OF permission to the John W.
Mackay company to make the necessary
landings without expense to the gov
eminent. Representative Corliss Of
Michigan was in Washington this week
for the purpose of urging upon the
President the advisability of govern
ment ownership Of the cable.
Senators Lodge and Morgan have
each given notice that as soon as Con.
gress assemblies they will move the alb
rogation OF the Clsyton-Bulwer treaty
and this action will place the 18th
milan canal question in a position re-
quiring prompt action. There is some
likelihood that the Hepburn canal bill
will pass. At all events the sentiment
that something should be accomplished
in the matter is too general to be disre
garded.
Senators Hanna and Frye announc,
that they intend to bring up the shiI
subsidy bill. In his last public utter
ance President Mckinley used thes'
words. stWe must encourape onr mer