Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-12-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom our Regular Correspondent.l

(From our Regular COrrespon0ent.)
Washington, Dec. 8NWith a sin
gular unanimity the democrats and
republicans of the House are working
on an anti trust bill. Representative
Richardson states that the democrats
will cheerfully support any sensible
antitrust measure on tie floor OF the
House, sinking party advantage in the
cause of the whole people. Represen-
tative Littlefield's bill is being made
the foundation for the measure which
the Judiciary committee will report
to the House and there is some pros
pect of favorable report before the
holiday recess. The bill provides for
that publicity which the President has
pronounced so essential and imposes a
tax of per cent, on all stock of cor
porations having capital stock in ex
cess of $500, 900 which is not actually
paid up.
Whether the republicans are actual
ly awakened to the necessity of anti
trust legislation, or whether they re-
gard it as one OF two evils, the other
Of which is tariff revision which
the leaders so strenuously oppose, or
whether there is merely an under
standing by which the House will pass
antitrust legislation and the Senate
bury the bill. the democratic leaders
have not yet determined but, what
ever may be the intention of the repub
| licans, the democrats will do all in their
power to promote legislation so essen
tlal to the welfare of the people.
AS might have been expected. Sena-
tor Beverage, after his territorial
Junket, reported substitute for the
| Omnibus territorial bill which provides
for the admission of Oklahoma alone,
it being tacitly admitted that the rea-
son for refusing admission to the other
two applicants Is not their unpreared.
ness but the fear that lthey may add
| democratic strength in the Senate.
Senator Quay, who is the champion of
the territories on the republican side OF
the Chamber, is being attacked from
all quarters and it is doubtless true
that brother of Senator Penrose. who
owns the major portion of the stock in
the Commonwealth mine in Arizona,
would be most materially benefited
by the admission of that territory to
statehood. Senator Quay admits hav-
| ing written letter stating that 1t
would be better for the territories to
return republican majOrities at the last
| election in order that the support OF
the democratic senators might be in
sured in the present fight. A further
provision of the substitute bill adds
Indian Territory 10 Oklahoma which
will certainly make democratic state
If that feature of the measure is retain
ed. The fight promises to be sharp all
this week but the friends of the terri.
tories are much discouraged.
The plans of Secretary Root, looking
to the furtherance of the military es.
Establishment of the country, are pro
crossing and it is now expected that
two bills In which the Secretary is di.
rectly Interested, will become laws du.
ring this session. One, the Militia
Organization bill, passed the House
last session and has now been favora
bly, reported by the Senate Committee
1t provides for the reorganization OF
of the militia on lines similar to those
of the regular army, the organization
OF reserve force of enlisted men and
a reserve force of officers who have
qualified to take command. The Other
bill is the army reorganization bill
which provides for the reorganization
of the army and the esta blishmenJ Of
a general staff to take the place OF thu
general commanding the army. II
has been introduced in both Cham
bers. If the bill passes General Miles
by its provisions, will be the first, chic
of staff.
The are two large lobbles in Wash
ingtOn which are doubtless here for nc
good purpose. One is that maintained
by Mr.. Oxnard of the Beet Sugar Trust
and the other is maintained by Mr.. j
Pierpont Morgan and is supposed tt
have for its end the amendment aftel
it reaches the Senate, of any trust bill
passed by the House. 30 that it cannot
seriously affect the Morgan interests
Neither lobby has as yet made itseli
conspicuous and it is too early to Judge
accurately Of their Intentions.