Middletown transcript., 1902-03-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Y 4A4S C1h0SC ACNOtCA AtA 1esCv " OSEA W eA1&
consideration Of the ship subsidy bill
and will vote upon it to-day. The debate
was marked by an able speech from Sena
ter Perkins of California, q speech by
Senator Depew and another by Senator
Foraker in which he said that, while the
measure was not all that he could desire,
he regarded it as perhaps the best which
could now be framed and that, as ii had
the entire approval of the majority, hi
would support it. Senators Frye and
Hanna both expressed themselves or
Saturday as certain that the bill would
pass and Senator Perkins told me he be
lieved it would not only pass the Senate
but the House as well.
~
Senator Penrose tells me lat he will
make an earnest effort TO havethe Chin
ere Exclusion bill which has been per.
fected in his committee, made the requ-
lar order of business, following the dis.
possl OF the "anti-anarchist bill'' other
wise known as "a bill for the protection
of the president" The wishes of the
Senator from Pennsylvania are opposed,
however, by Senator Proctor whose COM
mittee is prepared to report the oleomar-
garine bill.
~
Senator Cullom has not deviated from
bis opinions in regard to reciprocity. II
am still of the opinion that, from q po-
litical standpoint, as well as on economic
grounds, we should at least make be-
ginning in the way of reciprocity at this
session of Congress, said the Senator
when | inquired the status of the treaties
in his committee on Saturday. "My
committee will take up the treaties next
week and all Of the items will receive the
most careful consideration. OF course,
until such an examination has been made
it is impossible to predict the outcome,
but I feel confident that we will be able
to report to the Senate some treaties
worthy of support" As to the likelihood
of securing senatorial action on any OF
the treaties at this session Mr.. Cullom
was not communicative but he said the
work of his committee would be none
the less careful and painstaking than if
immediate action by the Senate was as
sured.
~
Senator Hale told the newspaper men
on Thursday that he thought Congress
would adjourn about the 10th of June
and as the Senator from Maine is men,
Der Of both the Committee on Appropria-
tions and OF the Steering Committee he
probably knows. Such carly adjourn
ment would mean, however, that many
important questions would go over until
the short session. With the anti-anarchy
bill, the electromagnetic bill, the
Chinese Exclusion bill and the various
appropriation bills still to be considered,
there will not be much time left for
other business. Senator Morgan still
hopes to secure action on the Hepburn
canal bill and told me last week that he
believed it would pass. Senator Hanna,
however, is opposed to Il and still favors
further consideration Of the Panama
route but he has abandoned his advocacy
of the Darien route. Mr.. Hanna does
not hesitate to show his anger at the at
tempt of the Senator from Alabama to
rush through his favorite bill and has
announced his intention of making
vigorous fight for the Spooner amend
ment which provides that, if the Depart
ment of Justice decides that clear title
can be conveyed by the Panama Com
pany and the Columbine government,
the President shall be authorized to pur-
chase the French company's property at
the price named, SAC, 1000, 600. Senator
Allison, as chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations, has shown a slight
disposition to question the advisability of
appropriating 90 much money to be spent
outside of the United States and there
are those who say that Mr.. Allison may
present serious opposition if the question
OF route is decided.
~
The Cuban reciprocity bill is another
measure which will occupy considerable
time in the Senate unless present signs
fail. Senator Perkins assures me that
the Senate will defeat il and Senator
Rawlins and other Democratic senators,
while unwilling to positively announce
their course in advance, have given me
to understand that they do not regard
the measure with favor. Senator Lodge,
on the other hand, is quite positive that
1t will pass as are Senator Penrose and
numerous others. "The Republican SEN
ators win heartily support the admins
tration' said the latter when asked him
what were the prospects Of the bill in
the Senate.
During the past week the House has
passed the rural free delivery bill, so
amended that carriers shall be paid sal
airy not to exceed $500 per rear, and the
postofice appropriations bill, after baying
ammended the latter to provide for the
rural delivery service. While these
measures have been considered on the
floor of House the interest aof the n,em-
bers has centered upon the contest be-
tween the high pfotecsioniats and beet
sugar men and the leaders who favor
the Ways and Means bill The problem
is now in the hands Of joint committee
composed Of representatives Of both fac
tiens. It, Is probable the decision will
be made public to-day and viii consist OF
the assent of the beet sugar men to. the
Ways and Means bin granting 20 per
cent reduction, on reciprocity basis for
q period limited to September LIST, 1908,
at which time the European countries
will cease to pay bounties on beet sugar,
and with the understanding that the Sem
ersl - - =