The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-30

The President and Congress.


The President and Congress.
Evidence increases that the Admins
tration is not only now favorable to an
extraordinary session. but is determlLe1
TO have one in order that the whole Han
ma progre mme of legislation may be car
ried out. Since the Presidential election
the idea has taken form that MIR. Mchin-
ley. being now relieved from all appre-
hension as to his own future, and having
nothing further to ask from his party as
sociates. would develop an attitude OF IN
dependence and refuse to be governor by
the exploiting influences which have con-
trolled his policy since his first inausu-
ration. Probably the wish that he might
do so has been largely father to the
thought. At all events, if our inforrna-
ton be accurate, any notion that the
Hanna power behind the throne mas
been weakened. must be dismissed as
quite illusory.
It is widely alleged and. to some extent,
believed that the President is committed
TO the Subsidy bill. and would order an
extraordinary session to get 1t passed. If
there were no other object in calling Con-
gress together. But there are other OBJ
jects. The Administration is anxious
for the prompt surrender to it
of the powers of Congress TO
Iegislate for the Philippines. Pas
sage of the Spocner bill would give
the President plenary legislative and ju-
dicial as well as executive power and
authority, in the archipelago, would en-
able him TO grant franchises for all pcs
sible purposes of exploitation. and 10
lease or to sell at nominal price its
gold, copper. gem. and coal deposits and
its rich ornamental and dyewood forests
Above all. it would place him in po
sition to settle the question between the
Filipino natives and the Spanish friars
as an autocrat. and thus keep the matter
with its suppressed history from public
discussion in Congress. There are plenty
of reasons why the syndicate continuation
OF Republican leaders and Wall Street
financiers and trust magnates want the
spooner bill damned through As there
does not appear to be much chance for
It in the present. they may insist upon
early as possible
Delays are dangerous. The expected de-
cision of the Supreme Court in the colo
NAL cases. il is believed. will force IN
restricted free trade between the Philip
pines and other parts of the United States.
II the sugar and tobacco trusts cannot
shut out the chief products of the islands,
under the Dingley tariff. then their natu-
raj resort will be 10 get hold of and oc-
cupy all of the available Philippine sugar
and tobacco lands. The Spooner bill would
mako it possible for the Administration TO
assure success for such movement. About
-fourths OF the arabic land in the
principal islands is claimed by the Spanish
friare A Government deal with them
might be made. and the trusts in turn
might deal with the Government There
is a great deal OF human nature in Re-
publican and trust politics.
As an additional reason why an extra
ordinary session begins 20 look inevitable.
it Is said that Mr. Mckinley intends to
send the Cuban constitution to Congress
as soon as he receives 1t from its trainers.
This purpose is a surprise and a disap-
10 many GtHdIOTS
and Representatives who had hoped that
the matter would be allowed to go over
until next December. and thus afford time
in which partisan excitement in Cuba
could cool down. and the real wishes of
the intelligent classes OF the island be-
come clear, There is even much doubt at
the Capitol concerning the right of Con-
gress 10 act in the matter; but that ques-
ton need not engage our attention. The
present Congressional majority only
respects and fears the Constitution when
the desires and designs of the one happen
10 be On all fours with the provisions and
prohibitions Of the other All the same,
large contingent Of statesmen On the Hill
deplore the idea OF an early discussion of
the Cuban question. They know that it
will precipitate a most acrimonious de-
bate. and probably bring the great Cuban
carpelbag scandal to a head and TO public
knowledge
Their pastors and masters, however. are
inexorable. The latter are bent upon hav-
ing ii cut on the subsidy. Philippine. and
Cuban propositions. Should they continue
in that mind an extraordinary session will
be unavoidable