Gilpin observer., 1901-02-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, February 2, 1901.
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Although there are still some doubters
the conditions all seem to point toward
an extra session, regardless of the effort
that is now being made to force the Ship
Subsidy bill through the senate. AS a
matter of fact, it is doubtful whether
that measure ia a factor either way. 1t
is PHILIPPINE and Cuban affairs that is
seemingly making an extra session in
evtable. The plea of the Philippine
Commission for legislation authorizing
a form of civil government for the is
lands is being supplemented by daily
appeals from great business interests,
not only in the islands but in this and
European countries. In addition to
this is the question of dealing with Cuba.
For several months Cuban convention
has been at work making a constitution,
and its expected to be completed before
the adjoinment of this session of Con
gress, but there will be no time for Con
gress to act on that constitution, it must
do before it can become effective. If
the Cubans get their constitution to
Washington by, say the first of March,
it would hardly be right to make them
wait until the regular session Of Con
gress met, next December, to find out
whether it will be acceptable to Con-
gress. There are other important mat
ters, including the Nicaragua Canal,
which ought to be legislated upon by
congress and which have no show at
this session. All these things add to
the probability that spring session
will be called.
If Secretary Wilson is not proud of
the compliment paid him on the floor of
the house, by Representative Williams,
OF Mississippi, political opponent, he
ought to be. 1t was while the Agri-
cultural bill, just passed by the house,
was under discussion. and Secretary
Wilson was being criticised by members
of his own party for keeping the list OF
those eligible to appointment in his de-
partment secret, that Mr.. Williams de-
clared Mr.. Wilson to be absolutely the
b,st secretary OF Agriculture this
country ever had-the most non-partisan
and impartial" Mr.. Williams added
that probably one reason why Mr.. Will
son kept the eligible list closed was to
escape partisan pressure for appoint
ments from members of his own party.
Representative Cooper, of Wisconsin,
Chairman of the house committee on in
sular affairs, is one of those who think
tlsre ought to be an extra session OF
congress to deal with insular affairs.
He said: "All our bills are incubating
until we get the decision of the supreme
court. There ought to be civil COVER
ment in the PHILIPPINES, and congress
ought to vote the necessary authority,
even though it does require an extra
session OF congress"
The developments in the West Point
hazing investigation has started strong
for similar investigation at
Annapolis, Representative Sherman,
af New York, has offered resolution |
for an investigation, and Rep
resentative Watson, of Indiana, says he
has been furnished the names of reput-
able persons who will testify that ca
det at Annapolis was made to stand on
his head in tub OF water so long that
it brought on IN attack of pneumonia,
from which he died.
Men no longer fight in congress for the
passing of the lie. Early this week, in
with an Indian bill dealing |
with an agreement with the Kiowas and
Comanches, Delegate Flynn accused
Representative Stephens, of Texas, of
having surreptitously inserted a clause
in the bill which would permit whites to
take lands allotted to Indians without
compensation. MIR. Stephens declared
the charge without foundation, and ad-
ded: II believe it is knowingly and
maliciously made" At this stage the
Speaker interferod. In the old days
there would have been n meeting out
side OF the house in which there would
have been no interference.
1t is now certain that tle supreme
court will not hand down its decision in
the insular cases before February %,
rs the court announced a recess from
February /, to February II, when "A
session viii be held for the announce
ment of decisions and receiving motions,
after which an adjournment will follow
to February -.
Some of the hot-headed Cubans may
not like the decision reached by this
F,,l. OF ts14in ant
under its own government it must he
with the understanding TINT all its
dealings with foreign nations must be
conducted through this government, or
- 4, i,,,, Lao ,,,r.yn1 by this Government