Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-01-09
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent

| Washington, D. c., Jan'y 4, 1901.
Republican senators, in conferences
held since the reassembling of con-
| gress, have shown a determination to
resort to heroic measures if the
threatened fllibustering to prevent
the carrying out of the Legislative
programme announced at the beginning
of the session be resorted to by the
opposition, This determination was
voiced by Senator Lodge when he
said: s'By the end of January the
senate will be wearied of fillibustering
tactics and the limit of patience will
have been reached. We will then
easily find way to take vote
There is no disposition on the part of
| Republicans to violate the traditions
of the senate, but limit to dilatory
tactics will be insisted on. have no
idea that the army bill will fail. -
| There is hint in this for the would
be fillibusters but whether they will
accept it remains to be ascertained.
The fate of the man who refused to
take bread offered him because he
wanted cake, and wound up by getting
nothing, might be studied with profit
by those who are worrying the senate.
committee on finance for further
amendments to the revenue reduction
bill, which as passed by the house
makes reduction of $40, 900, 900 more
than was recommended by President
Mckinley and Secretary Gage. It is
easily possible for senators to be-
worried into concluding that the
easiest way out Of the wrangle will be
to allow the revenue reduction bill to
fail and leave the matter to be settled
by the next congress.
President Mckinley this week &C
cepted an invitation to attend the
annual banquet of the Ohio association
of California, to be held when the
president visits San Francisco, next
May, to be present at the launching of
the batyleship Ohio. Ex-State Sena-
tor Gleaves came all the way from
California to personally extend the in
vitation on behalf of the Ohio associa-
ton. The president has also condi-
tionally accepted invitations to stop in
San Antonio and Austin, Texas, while
on his Pacific coast trip.
Senator Perkins, who is one of the
staunch supporters of the Nicaragua
canal bill, said Of that measure: II
am of the opinion that the senate will
pass the canal bill some time in
February The impression seems to
have gone abroad that the United
States cannot and will not do anything
toward canal legislation until England
is heard from. This is not correct,
for know that the canal bill will be
called up in the senate by Mr.. Morgan
in due time at this session, without
reference to the Hay-Pauncefotet treaty
and from what / have heard the bill
will be passed. The measure will be
held back until the end of January
purely out of courtesy to Great Britain
in order to give reasonable time for
the consideration of the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty, but the senate does not in
tend to wait on the pleasure of Lord
Salisbury. as there is nothing requir-
ing the treaty-making body to hold
the bill in allegiance pending ratifica-
ton, and it will not be held. As to
the fate of the treaty, | am convinced
that England will accept it as amended.
She knows that we want the canal and
are bound to have it, without reference
to the Hay-Pauncefote compact, if
necessary.
Secretary Root has decided that the
report made to him by A. l.. Lawshe,
an expert accountant. on the handling
and disbursing of Cuban funds, con-
tains matter which it would be against
public interest to make public at this
time. Consequently the senate reso-
luton asking for copy of the report
will not be complied with. Individual
senator's who care to read the report
will have no trouble in doing so.
Those who see anything sensational in
Secretary Roots failure to send the
report to the senate have short
memories. 1t is very frequent &C
| currence. Sometimes the member of
the cabinet asked for a document
merely ignores the request, and some
times the president answers by saying
| that to comply would be preiudicial to
public interests.
The house has jumped into business
with the same vim displayed previous
to the holiday recess. 1t is not in the
power of the minority to obstruct the
programme, if they had the DISPOSE
ton to attempt it. There is a fight
over the reapportionment bill, but it
is not on party lines. The opposition
to the bill reported by the majority OF
the census committee is headed by
members from the states which wilt
each lose one member of the house if
the bill becomes law.
Attempts are being made to unite
the senators who are opposed to the
army reorganization bill on a substi-
tute continuing the law under which
the volunteers now in service were en-
listed two years from the first Of next
July, when it will expire by limitation,
but it cannot succeed without getting
number of Republican votes, and
there. is little probability Of that.
There is going to be hot fight on the