The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-27
IL Is Therefore Regarded as Waste cf
Time 20 Attempt 10 Carry Out Nc
kinIey's Recommendations.
ovERsTREET's PARITY BILL
BY THE HOUSE CoNHTT-
TEE on CURRENCY.
Special Order Asked for Considera-
tion of the Hill Bill for Exchange
of Gold and Silver.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON. Jan. 26-There Will be
an extra session of Congress next spring
unless President Mckinley changes his
mind. Senators who conferred over the sit
uation to-day came to that conclusion.
The report of the Taft Philippine Com
mission recommending the establishment Of
a form of civil government there creates
the necessity. 1t is utterly out Of the ques-
tion to enact such legislation during the
brief remainder of this Congress. Ii is
regarded as good politics to have extra
session for the purpose OF disposing of all
pending matters that will cause prolonged
debate whenever they come up. Civil gov
ernment for the Philippines the constitu-
ton of Cuba. the shipping bill. the Nics,r-
aqua canal and the Overstreet bill for the
Interchangeable OF gold and silver. are
the principal matters of legislation that
such session could dispose OF and get
out of the way long enough before a gen.
eral election to enable the country 10 pass
intelligently on them and their working.
President Mckinley has not forgotten that
his tariff act went into effect Oct. 6. 1sSo.
and the Congressional elections came
month later. with disastrous results to his
party. 1t was that experience which caused
him to call an extra session OF the Fifty
fifth Congress TO pass the Dingley tariff
act and which now suggests a similar ses-
sion next spring to act upon the measures
above mentioned.
The Associated Press says: That sena-
tors regard seriously the prospect OF an
extra session, in view OF the Presidents
urgent recommendation OF legislation COR
cerning the Philippine islands, evi-
denced to-day by the activity OF those WHO
desire to avoid an extra session. The specu-
lation concerning the probability OF a called
session was rendered more definite by the
fact that senator's known TO be generally
Well informed concerning the Presidents
plans Joined in the discussion OF the out
look
PRESIDENT CONSULTS SENATOR'S.
Careful inquiry also developed the fact
that the President has canvassed the sub
feet with few senator's He does not ap-
pear to have Indicated any fixed determi-
nation OF issuing call, but rather 10 have
consulted them TO the advisability or
such a proceeding. In all such instances
he seems to have had the necessity Of fhii-
ippine legislation In view and senators gen
orally express the opinion that in case a
meeting is called the Philippine question
will receive the lions share OF attention.
The urgency of the administration on this
point is due TO the importantly OF the Taft
commission, the members Of which appear
to have supplemented their oft-repeated
recommendations for early action with prI-
vate letters, not only to the President. but
to members Of the Cabinet and senators as
we'll They insist on the necessity OF early
recognition OF the civil rights Of the FIJI
pinos and OF government for them other
than military in form.
Senators who have concerned themselves
with these matters canvassed the Senate
somewhat to-day as TO the possibility OF
getting legislation before the Attn Of March
in the line of that contemplated by the
Spooner bill; but they have received very
little encoura cement. One senator who
has given much attention 10 the Philippine
question said that any legislation at
tempted on the subject of government for
the Philippines necessarily would cause
prolonged debate. 1.-The Senate would talk
a month on a resolution declaring that the
Philippines are the Philippines" he said,
as an illustration of his idea OF the hope
lessness of securing legislation before the
conclusion OF the present session.
Senators are divided on the question OF
the necessity of congressional action on
the Cuban constitution. Some OF them con-
tend that Congress will not be called on to
act in any way upon the constitution.
Others admit the correctness OF this view
to the extent OF saying that congressional
action will not be compulsory. but they ad-
vance the idea that the President will de-
sire 10 have Congress share the responsible
~ o. whatever step may be taken with
reference TO the Cuban government They
also suggest the possibility OF some things
in the Cuban constitution which may re-
quire close scrutiny and they agree thar
II congressional action should prove TO be
necessary 1t would not be fair TO the Cu-
bans 10 postpone IL until next December.
The senators who oppose the ship subsidy
bill are opposed TO extraordinary ses-
sion and will do all they can TO prevent
the calling OF one Upon the whole the
most that can be said is that beth the
executive and the Congress are discusssns
the wisdom OF an extra session and that
no conclusion has been reached on the
point.