Evening star., 1901-07-13
ISSUES IN CONGRESS
Preparing for Next Winters De-
bates.
MANY DEPARTURES FOR MANILA
Democrats and Republicans to
Gather Material.
IGNORING FREE SILVER

The departure Of a number Of prominent
democratic Representatives in Congress for
the Philippines this summer is part Of
| the program of some of the democrats for
| next winters session Of Congress. Insular
questions are expected to occupy the at
tention Of the House and Senate to a con-
siderable degree, and some Of the demo-
Gratis are going out to gather campaign
material for the contemplated attack on
| the administrations policy.
Mr.. De Almond of Missouri, Who Is al
legged to be aspiring to wrest from Mr..
Richardson Of Tennessee the 'leaGershp''
Of the minority, is the latest addition to
the list Of Philippine-bound statesmen. 1t
Is assumed in congressional circles that Mr..
De Almond will take the Philippine aucs-
tion as his gauge Of battle against the re-
publicans, and incidentally to clinch his
hold as the leader of the democratic side
of the House.
Democrats Not United.
1t Is not contended that there is to be
a united onslaught Of the democracy ulon
the Philippine policy of the republicans
1t would be perilous assumption to suy
that the democratic party in the House
would unite upon any particular lima Of
action. 1t is also somewhat erroneous,
perhaps, to speak Of the Leadership Of the
minority" in the singular, as they are all
leaders.
Some Of the leaders will advocate at
tacking the republicans on the trust ques-
tion, notwithstanding the demonstration of
the inability Of the democrats to agree
upon an antitrust policy in the first ses-
sion Of the last Congress, when the repub-
licans passed bill through the House to
regulate trusts. Others, like Mr.. De Ar
mond, will take colonial policies for their
fovf md horn fc 1n,,ht hat Arr
will have some spokesmen to advocate the
attempted reinfation of the somewhat re-
laxed free silver boom.
1t Is said that the democratic representa-
ttves bound for the Philippines are going
to look for abuses mainly. They will have
an eye out for the weak points in the ad-
ministratiOn of the new civil government
and will doubtless, 1t Is said. have a ready
ear for the echoes of mistakes and mall
administration of the old military regime.
In other words they are said to be seeking
grounds Tor condemnation and criticism Of
the American policy with which to back up
their general objections to the system of
expansion on which this government 10
now proceeding.
Republicans in Philippines.
It Is notable. in this connection, that
quite large party of prominent republi-
can representatives are also in the Philip
pines this summer and they will do little
gathering of evidence for their side Of the
case. Hull Of Iowa, Mercer Of Nebraska
and all told about dozen Of the energetic
hustling workers Of the republican side will
go over the ground thoroughly and come
back prepared to meet the democratic ar
guments point by point.
All this promises very interesting dis
cuss.on Of the Philippine situation in the
House next session by men who speak
from personal knowledge Of the conditions
prevailing in LuZon and the larger islands
of the archipelago. 1t is understood at the
War Department that the repor Of the
military and civil authorities in vo .minous
and detailed form will be in hand early
in the winter to be forwarded to Congress
and there will be no lack Of complete in
formation upon the subject.
Only Trusts and Expansion.
Porto Rico and Cuba will be removed
from the field Of discussion, it is thought,
by the assembling of Congress. The inau-
guration OF free trade relations between
Porto Rico and the United States during
this summer, will put an end to further
expressions of sympathy for the Porto
Ricans being down-trodden by a tariff Is
per cent OF the Dingley rates.
Thus, the trusts and expansion will he
the only topics left for the democrats The
expressions OF very prominent democrats
recently Indicate clearly that there will be
cessation Of free silver talk for the present
by the majority Of the campateners