Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-12-19
Work Of the Flfty-seventh Congress.

Work of the Fifty-seventh Congress.
The Fifty-seventh congress has be-
fore it many important and some
perplexing questions. 1t promises to
be busy and history making session.
Perhaps the question of widest pub
lie interest to be taken up is that which
relates to the building of the isthmian
waterway. The diplomatic obstacles
which so long stood in the way have
been removed, and early and favorable
action is expected. Early in the ses-
sion there will be submitted to the SEN
ate a new canal convention, lately sign
ed by Lord Paunccfote, acting for
Great Britain, and Secretary Hay for
the United States, which abrogates the
old Clayton-Bulwer treaty and con-
cedes the right of the United States to
build and control the canal, maintain
ing it as a peutral waterway, open to
all nations with which we are at peace,
but permitting us to close 1t to the
ships of q hostile power and to make
such fortifcations as eXigencies may
require AS this is all the supporters
of n strictly American canal have ever
asked there is now no reason to doubt
that the senate will promptly ratify
the treaty. With this done, the author
ization of the digging OF the canal
ought to speedily follow. In no quar-
ter, except possibly a coterie Of trans
continental railroad managers, Is there
any opposition to the canal scheme,
and there is therefore no occasion for
congressional delay. The canal COM
mission has decided after thorough In
vestsgation upon the Nicaragua route
as the one most feasible, and six
months hence ought to see work fairly
under way on this great national en-
terprise upon which the American peo-
pie have set their hearts.
Another public enterprise which Is
urgently demanded and which will un-
questionably be brought up early In
the session is the Pacific cable scheme.
Already q private corporation has sub
mitted a proposition to the government
for the laying and maintenance OF such
cable, asking for permission to make
hndings on United States territory.
While the necessity for submarine ca
BILE communication between the United
States and Hawaii and the Philippines
is admitted on all hands, there may be
strong differences Of opinion on tho
question of private or government
ownership and control.
The Chinese exclusion act, which
soon expires by limitation. will be tax
en- up by this congress and probably
passed in substantially It's prest Il
form. Some further legislation is prob
able in the line Of restricting immigra-
tion, the assassination of President Nc
.Kinley having aroused in the public
mind a strong sentiment against the
admission Of undesirable persons. Leg
islation looking toward the suppression
of anarchy and the better protection OF
presidents may also be expected.
The question of trade reciprocity will
be one to receive especial attention, and
tariff revision is more than likely to be
injected into the debate, though it is
hardly probable that existing tariff
schedules will be materially disturbed.
failed
of confirmation at the last session and
undoubtedly other reciprocal trade
agreements will probably be pressed
for senatorial approval. In view of
the treasury surplus effort will be made
to further reduce the war revenue
taxes.
The shipping bill which was sc
strongly urged in the last congress, but
failed Of passage, will be again brought
forward, with some changes in the
text and pushed with renewed vigor
by its supporters.
The trusts will unquestionably be
made the subject Of debate If not of
legislation, though it is yet too early
to predict the nature and scope Of such
prospective legislation. The industrial
commission. which has gathered vo-
luminous data on the subject will sub
NIT recommendations which may lead
to congressional action.
With these problems for its solution.
together with the usual appropriation
bills and routine measures. the Fifty
seventh congress will have its hands
full.