The Press., 1902-04-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.


satisfactory progress, and have no hesi-
tation in reiterating my prediction that
congress will adjourn between the 10th
and 18th OF June" said Senator Hale last
Saturday, when asked him II he thought
that it would be possible to accomplish
the necessary legislation by that time.
"Of course, we could continue In session
all summer continued the senator, but
that Is not our intention. We will dis
pose or all essential legislation. The bal
ance we will allow to go over to the short
session or will avoid entirely. No, can
not tell you anything more OF the pro-
gram, but regard 1t as q perfectly safe
prediction that adjournment will be taken
at the time mentioned" The senator's
statement was received with the greatest
satisfaction by other members Of congress
to whom ! mentioned 1t, especially by the
representatives, as practically all are
anxious to get home, and many have con-
siderable campaign work ahead OF them.
No sooner had the senate passed the
oleomargarine bill on Thursday, which
was done by majority Of eight votes,
than the Chinese exclusion bill was taken
up. In order, however, that no time be
wasted, the Indian appropriation bill was
called up and made the order Of business
for 'the morning hour" This means
that the appropriation bill will be dis
cussed as soon as the daily routine busi-
ness is disposed of, each morning, and
will occupy the floor until p M, when
the exclusion bill will be the regular or
der. Literally speaking, 1.-THE morning
hour" is misnomer, as the senate does
not usually convene until noon, but the
term applies to the interval between the
hour of converting and p. m. It is an
ticipated that other appropriation bills
will. follow the Indian bill and will be
considered In the same manner.
AS there is no party division on the
question Of Chinese exclusion, 1t is hoped
that the bill may be passed without pro-
longed debate, and 1t will then give place
to the Philippine civil bill. The latter
measure will be In charge of Senator
Lodge, and. while the debate will doubt
Tess cover many sessions because of its
unanimous opposition on the democratic
side of the chamber, it will be conducted
with the business-like expedition for which
the junior senator from Massachusetts lie
noted. 1t is expected that Senator Hoar
will take sides with the democrats on
this measure, and II he does it will help
to make the debate interesting.
The house Of repl esentatives is dispos-
ing of the measures reported from its
committees with the ease and precision Of
a we'll oiled machine, and, as a result, 1t
has accomplished an immense amount Of
work. The Chinese exclusion bills are
now being discussed. and will probably be
made the order for to-day by unanimous
consent. Tomorrow Mr.. Payne will call
up the ways and means committee bill
authorizing the president to grant recip-
rocal tariff concessions to Cuba, and a
brief but extremely interesting debate Is
promised. The democrats are divided
over the measure. Some, like Repre-
sentative Mcclellan of New York, will
seek to amend it by increasing the
tariff reduction, and, that falling, will
vote for 1t. Others, like Representatives
Newlands, Cooper and others, will vote
against it. The leaders claim to be con-
fident, however, that sufficient republican
votes can be secured to pass 1t In the
house.
The house last Wednesday passed the
sundry civil bill, and on Thursday passed
the senate bill to increase the efficiency
of the revenue cutter service. By the
provisions of the bill the president Is au-
thOrized to retire revenue cutter officers
on lines similar to those OF the regular
army and navy services.
The investigation of the Captain Christ
mas charges by select committee of the
house is still in progress, and the opinion
is held by all that the captain was very
gullible person, who was led to part with
his money by few unprincipled persons
having no connection with the govern
ment or with congress. This applies TO
all but Secretary Hay, who did give the
captain an audience, and at his suggestion
sent representative of the government,
Mr.. White, to confer with the Danish
minister on foreign affairs; but that was
the extent of Mr.. Hays recognition Of the
promoter"
The house committee on territories
has favorably reported an omnibus bill
providing for the admission of Oklahoma,
New Mexico and Arizona to statehood,
and friends of the measure claim that
they have sufficient votes pledged to Sc
cure its passage In the house. They pre-
dict that not more than two days will be
required for debate in the house, and as
soon as the bill Is disposed of In the lower
chamber they will be able to turn their
attention to the senate, where the pros
poets, they admit, are not as fattering.
Some of the more conservative we'll
wishers of the bill are urging their enthu-
siastic brethren to content themselves
with its passage in the house at this ses-
sion, and then begin their campaign In
the senate at the short session.
The president has had conference
with the friends of the irrigation bill, and
has outlined to them the changes which
they must make to prevent his vetoing
the measure. Mr.. Roosevelt is unwilling
that the federal government should ex-
pend large sums TO construct water res
ervoirs, and that the water should be- un
der state supervision, The friends Of the
bill say that they are willing to make the
changes indicated, but that, in some in
stances, existing state laws would make
it impossible to. apply the provisions Of
the proposed bill to territory within their
borders. The chances for the bill are not
as bright as they were short time ago,