The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-26
WASHINGTON.
ron our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, Dec. zI, Ioo


pine Tariff bill as reported BY the
Ways and Means Committee, despite
the protestatlons OF the Democrats
who pointed out that it was a meri-
tricious measure from every point of
view, and Of a small number OF Re-
publIcans who were unwilling TO
bindly submit to the ha, of the party
leaders. The fact, however, that
Representative Mccall, Republican
member of the Ways and Means
Committee, and a small number of
followers had the courage to oppose
+ the imperlalistic measure, is taken by
the Democrats to be good sign and
II is hoped that before this session Of
/ Congress has come to a close Mr.
Mccall may have succeeded in organ
izing a considerable faction that will
stand by the Democrats IN their op-
position to the extreme and unwar
ranted subversion Of American princi-
/ pies which will be the object OF the
Republican leaders. r.
|
Almost simultaneously with the ex-
preston of these principles IN Con-
gress that body has received an ap-
peal to confer on the Taft Commis-
sion greatly increased power. Not
satisfied with their already autocratic
prerogatives, the gentlemen of this
Commission have made recommenda-
tions at which even the Republicans
stand aghast. The Commission de-
slres that 1t be authorized to issue
bonds with which to purchase the
lands owned by the religious CON-
munlties in the islands, to expend the
sum Of 81, 700, 900 on the water and
drainage systems OF Manila, that 1t
be empowered to grant charters to
railroads, award land grants to the
same and even guarantee the interest
on the investments. II desires to be
allowed TO make sucl qualifications
for suffrage as would exclude the
large majority of the inhabitants and
numerous other powers more appro-
pirate to despotic monarch than to
the representatives of a Republican
government. What will be done with
these recommendation remains to be
seen, but it seems incredible that they
will be granted. 1t would seem more
probable that Congress will ask for
more specific recommendations and
reserve to itself the power TO enact
the important legislation necessary.
The Senate has ratified the Hay
Pauncefote treaty BY vote of u to
6. With the treaty out of the way
the bills providing for the construction
of canal will be the next considera-
ton. In the Senate, the bill pro.
posed by Senator Morgan has been
favorably reported by the Committee
on Interoceanic Canals, of which he
is the chairman. In the House the
Hepburn bill will probably be taken
up soon after Congress reassembles
and there Is every reason to believe
that it will be passed.
=.
There has been AL 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 Re-
publlcans has prevailed and confidence
in Senator Morgan's extensive knowl
edge of the subject together with an
appreciation of his long devotion tc
the cause of an isthmian canal have
won for him anew that impoItan,
chalrmanship even at the hands Of an
overwhelming majority. There ha:
been some criticism of the prompt
ness, not to say preciptancy, with
which Senator Morgan has accepted
the recommendations of Admira
Walker In favor of the Panama route
but 1t is more than likely that there l.
method in the Senator's madness
which will develop later on. 1t il
worthy OF note that in both the Nor
gan and Hepburn bills the Presiden,
is authorized, but not directed as Il
usually the case, to proceed with tht
construction of the Nicaragua
Canal.
The change in the Cabinet, whicl
the President announced after tn
Tuesday Cabinet meeting is sourc'
of much speculation. 1t is not SUI
prising that Postmaster General Smith
after having served both Mr.. McKin
ley and Mr.. Roosevelt long enough t
win the respect and gratitude of bott
should wish to return to the NOR
) active and remunerative field c
! journalism, but what led Mr. Roose
welt to select Mr. Henry Z. Payne fo
: the vacated portfolio? That is tn
E question that is puzzling many peopl
t in Washington. Was it merely tn