Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-12-27
CLEARLY DEFINED
IS THE PHILIPPINE TARIFF ISSUE
NOW BEFORE CONGRESS.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1901.
As was to be expected the House of
Representatives passed the Philippine
Tariff bill as reported by the Ways
and Means Committee, despite the
protestations of the Democrats who
pointed out that it was a meritricious
measure from every point of view, and
OF small number of Republicans who
were unwilling to blindly submit to
the fiat of the party leaders. The
fact, however. that Representative
Mccall, Republican member of the
Ways and Means Committee, and q
small number of followers had the
courage to oppose the imperialistic
measure, is taken by the Democrats to
be good sign, and it is hoped that
before this session of Congress has
come to q close Mr.. Mccall may have
succeeded is organizing . considerable
faction that will stand by the Demo-
Gratis in their opposition to the ex-
treme and unwarranted subversion Of
American principles which will he the
object of the Republican leaders.
Almost simultaneously with the ex.
preston of these principles in Con.
gress, that body has received an appeal
TO confer on the Taft Commission
greatly increased power. Not satisfied
with their already autocratic preroga-
tives, the gentlemen OF this Commits
sion have made recommendations at
which even the Republicans stand
aghast. The Commission desired that
it be authorized to issue bonds with to
purchase the lands owned by the re-
ligious communities in the islands, to
e1pend the sum OF 100000 on the
water and drainage systems OF Ma
mia, that it be empowered to grant
charters to railroads, award land
grants to the same and even guaran-
tee the interest on the investments.
It desires 10 be allowed to make such
qualifications for suffrage az would
exclude the large majority of the in
habitants and numerous other powers
more appropriate TO despotic mon
arch than to the representatives of a
Republican government. What will
be done with these recommendation
remains to be seen, but it seems in
credible that they will be granted. It
would seem more probable that Con-
gress will ask for more specific recon-.
mendations aud reserve to itself the
power to enact the important legisla-
ton necessary.
The Senate has ratified tho Hay
Pauncefote treaty by vote OF y to 6.
With the treaty out Of the way the
bills providing for the construction of
q canal will be the next consideration.
In the Senate, the bill proposed by
Senator Morgan has been favorably
reported by the Committee on Inter
oceanic Canals, of which he is the
chairman. In the House the Hep
burn bill will probably be taken up
soon after Congress reassembles and
there is every reason to believe tina. il
will be passed.
There has been an effort made in
the Senate to replace Senator Morgan
by Senator Hanna, as chairman Of the
Committee ON Interoceanic Canals,
but the better judgment OF the Repub-
Alicaus has prevailed and confidence in
Senator Morgan's extensive knowledge
OF the subject together with an appre.
citation of his long devotion to the
cause Of an isthmian canal have won
for him anew that important chair.
manship even 1t the hands of An
overwhelming majority. There has
been some criticism Of the prompt.
ness, not to say precipitancy. with
which Senator Morgan has accepted
the recommendations OF Admiral
Walker in favor Of the Panama route,
but it is more than likely that there 10
method in the Senator'S madness,
which will develop later on. Il is
worthy Of note that in both the Nor
gan and Hepburn bills the President
10 authorised, but not directed" - is
usually the case. 70 proceed with the
construction Of the Nicaraguan Canal.
The change in the Cabinet, which
the President announced after the
Tues.lay Cabinet meeting 10 source
Of much speculation. Il 10 not sur.
prising that Postmaster General
Smith, after having served both Mr..
Mckinley and Mr.. Roosevelt long
enough 10 win The respect and graft
tude Of both, should wish 70 return TO
the more active and remunerative
field Of journalism, but what led Mr..
Roosevelt to select Mr.. Henry c.
Payne for the vacated portfolio?
That 10 the question that ID pulling
many people in Washington. Was il
merely the fact that Mr.. Payne was
vice-chAirman Of the Republican ma
tional committed IL it with an eye
10 the next national convention that
an astute western politician was called
10 the Presidential council tablet
These are the questions which every
Body 10 asking.
Il 10 said that Admiral Schley will
make no effort TO secure . congres-
sional investigation Of bis affair or Of
the affairs Of the Navy Department,
but that be will Immediately prose-
cute Naclay for criminal libel. There
are, however, some members of Con-
8fooe VINO propose 70 nave oucn An IN.
vestigation, even II IL has TO be So
cured over the head Of the Committee
on Naval Affairs.
There ie rumor current in the cap
itol, and il appears to be we'll founded,
that Senators Frye and Hanna are
playing . very shrewd game Of politics
in order 10 secure the passage OF the
ship subsidy bill. II il said that SEN
ator Frye 10 the father of tho scheme
and that Senator Hanna is doing the
work which tho former cannot do in
view OF his position ~ president OF the
Senate. The Senator from Ohio is
permitting it 10 be known that unless
the subsidy bill is passed by the
House, any irrigation bill which is
sent up by the lower body will be in
extricably lost in the labyrinths of the
Senate committee rooms. There are
. large number of Western Represent
atives who are committed to the irri-
CATION policy and whose constituents
oxnock them IN arc0un v,liah srr;0o fsau