The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Z ON missaoa.
=. eisl TO The CAUc ssiAS.
Washington, January Is, 1901.
But five weeks remain of the life
,f the Fifiy-sixth Congress Many
Of great importance are press
ing for attention i'm both branches of
he National Legislature, and the
time between nov and the 4th Of
March must needs BE- thoroughly oc-
cupied If the dominant party intend
10 enact any legislation Of national
concern aside from the regular ap-
bills for the support Of
the Government.
The time and attention of the two
Houses Of Congress has thus far
mainly been engro.sed in the con-
sideration Of appropriation bills and
In the passage Of the bill reorganiz
Ing the Army and increasing its Size
to what the Republican Administra-
tion deems adequate TO meet Sd call
ed present emergencies. This bill
passed both the House aud the Sen
ate, and, on account Of amendments
put on In the Senate, went to a con-
ference committee. The report of
the conferees has been agreed to by
the House and Is now pending in
the Senate, with every prospect that
1t will be finally enacted before the
present week has passed.
During the coming week the
House will be engaged principally
in considering the post-office and
other appropriation bills. The post
office bill is likely to lead to consid-
cradle discussion owing to the omis-
sion from the bill of the provision
for pneumatic tubes. There is also
a strong effort being made in the
House to press the consideration of
the Hill bill, which is designed to
maintain the parity between gold
and silver under the existing gold
standard.
! Owing to the fact that appropria-
ton bill originate in the House of
Representatives, the necessary bust
ness of the session of Congress is
probably more advanced in that
body than it is in the Senate. There
is also greater latitude OF discussion
In the Senate, which prevents a dis
position of the public business as ex
peditiously as it is taken care of in
the House. Only two Of the great
appropriation bills have been passed
by the Senate. The Indian apprO
, priation bill is at present pending ir
} that body, and will probably be dis
posed of in the next two or thret
days.
The bill passed by the House o
Representatives reducing taxation
under tie Revenue bill has been re
ported by the Senate Finance Com
mlttee. and Senator Aidrich, chair
b man Of that committee. has givel
: notice that he expects the Senate t.
take it up at an early day. Tne shi]
subsidy bill, the pet m sasure of Ssn
ator Hanna, is also pending in tn
Senate, and has the right of wa
when appropriation bills are not IN
Q der consideration. This measure
;. however, Is likely to provoke NOR
q discussion than its friends ever con
template The opposition to it d,
u Determined, and the prospects 70
: Its passage are very dim. Snoul
l. those who have it in charge endeav
or to force it's consideration, there
every probability that q filibuste
would be instituted against it. Tn
l. Circuit bill in reg ard to the manufa 81
= ure and sale of oleomsrgarina, bi
"a which commands alu ost univers,
= support in the agricultural distrlc
- Of the country, is nearly IN a cond
$ ton to be placed before the Senat
y and no doubt, a strong effort will /
r made to secure its passage, wit
good chances of success II seem
as If the Nicaragua canal propos
ton will have to give way to otht
l. matters, and 60 over until the ne1
20 session Of Congress. Senator Mo
" gan, of Alabama, in charge Of tn
=, measure, has made every possible Q
" fort to have it become q law. Tier
is q general opinion, however, tn,
D. its consideration should admit Il
IN action of the British government 9
r. the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, which
now In the hands of the British ca
- met, and this Wis W will in ali prob
" billty prevail Toe report Of Il
~ Taft Commission to the Pail pnil
n. Islands, recently transmitted to Co
gress by the President, and stron
ly recommending tina. steps b, take
to supersede the military govern
d. ment Of the islands by q civil go
eminent, has aroused great interes
r.. and much speculation is INDUCED
- as to what action Congress will tai
Il in regard to the matter. Many tar
N that If something is not done b-fo
n Congress finally adjourns in the lii
n suggested by the report, an ext
session of Congress will be newt
BILE. 1t can be stated, however, TIL
an extra session is not desired by Il
n administration, aud, therefore, son
SO proposition looking to the establi
in ment of q civil government in Il
- Philippine Islands may be look
- for during the present session.
T. On Monday, February 4.h. Il
mt Senate and House will meet in Il
"a. hall of the House of Represent
tives, and exercises commemorate
" of the one hundredth anniversary
the assumption by John Marshall
10 the Office of Chief Justice of {
nd United States, will be held. T
n president will attend these exercise
aad they will be very impressive.
W Some alarm is becoming evide
to in Republican circles Owing to {
" enormous appropriations when ha
be h en- made by the two sessions of {
= 81 b Congress. Chairman Canno
of the Ap preparations Committee
SO the House estimates that the appl
d. prlations for the present session "
II. reach the enormous total of $50
90 DOC, 900 The appropriations for t
~ lAat COS siny, ~ tho "a 4 No~~,o.. .