Gilpin observer., 1901-01-24
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WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


Reorganization bill, started by the pop
ulist Senators, would go on indefinitely
and make an extra session of Congress
certainty, but the fillibusters yielded to
persuasion, and the Army bill is all
right, although the chances for an extra
session have been by no means eliminat-
ed from the legislative game.
The Ship Subsidy bill has the first
position once more as the unfinished
business of the Senate. 1t is understood
however, that the steering committee
only agree to its having it upon the as
surance of Senators Hanna aud Frey
that the bill could be passed within
weeks time. The bill is to be amended
to meet the objections of several Repub-
lician Senators, and the programme of
its friends is to push it rapidly to vote,
and if the threatened filibuster against
it materializes to hold continuous ses-
sion, night and day, until the opposition
allows vote to be taken. Such talk is
very frequently heard in the Senate, but
Senators, with few exceptions, are men
well past the middle age, and that makes
1t very difficult to carry on such a pro-
gramme; they can't stand it. 1t is ad-
mitted by the most ardent supporters
of the Ship Subsidy bill, that if it does
not pass within week it will not pass
at all at this session. Those interested
in other legislation will be heartily glad
to see it out of the way.
Mr.. M. P. Morian, of Graceville, Min
nisota, who is connected with the Nation
al Farmors' Alliance, was one of the
Witnesses before the Industrial Com
mission this week, his testimoney deal
ing with the transportation of grain.
He presented the Isthmian Canal
question in new phase by saying that
he was opposed to the construction of
the Nicaraguan Canal because it would
make short cut for foreign countries
to invade our commercial field. He said
that if it were constructed the cost
should fall upon the commercial Eu-
ropean nations, which he believed would
get the greatest benefits from it.
Illustrative of the talk on the River
and Harbor bill in the House, Represen-
tative Capron, of r. l., tells this story
of bill carrying a big appropriation
that passed the legislature of that state
when he was n member: "One of the
members said: 'Mr. Speaker, l do not
intend to oppose it. think shall vote
for the bill; but we ought to be told
what the money is for Thereupon q
fat German replied: why should we ek-
splain? We haf dc votes. Dere is no
need Of ekspanation'."
No one was greatly surprised when
Senator Morgan's request for the un-
animous consent of the Senate to vote on
the Nicaragua bill February IL, was met
by an objection from Senator Daniel.
1t has been clear for some time that the
opponents of the Nicaragua bill would
grant it no parliamentary favors and that
il it is passed at this session it will have
to be forced through. If Senator Dan
iel had not objected son other Senator
would have done SO. He said his OBJ
lection was based on the belief that new
phases of the Canal question would call
for more debate than would be possible
il an hour were arbitrarily fixed for TAX
ing vote. The Panama lobby is con-
centrating its efforts upon preventing
action on the Nicaragua bill.
Wether the criticism alleging that the
Revenue reduction bill was purposely
delayed in the Senate Finance Commit
tee had any effect upon members Of that
committee cannot be positively stated
but the fact that the committee is now
meeting daily for the consideration of
the bill indicates an intention to report
it to the Senate. 1t is dute certain,
however, that it will be extensively
amended by tho committee.
The old question of the respective au-
thority of the House and Senate is up
again. In connection with the arrang-
ments Mt the capitol for the inaugura-
tion, the Senate adoptcd.a resolution pro-
vidiug for the erection OF n stand on the
east front OF the Senate wing OF the Cap
itol, and for placing the exercises under
II Senate committee. This the House
objected TO, and arranged for an appro.
priaton for the expenses OF the inaugu-
ration OF the President, under control
OF u joint committee, leaving tho Sen
ate to make whatever arrangements it
might choose for the Inauguration of the
Vice President. This is the way it has
has always been until four years ago,
when the Senate ignored the House and
put its own committee in control. The
House regarded that as I'M encroach-
mcnt upon its rights
The naval appropriation bill just re-