Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-12-01
And Omnibus Bill Not Far Be-
hind-A Forecast.

was NOhNNh'u Nbu"sf ~
amount of work todo, and a great
many interesting contests are ex-
pected.
The first contest will be on before
the adjournment for the Christmas
holidays. 1t will come on the floor of
the Senate with the report Of the com
n'ittee on territories on the omnibus
bill, giving statehood to Oklahoma,
New Mexico and Arizona. This bill
passed the House at the last session
by practically a unanimous vote. 1t
was freely admitted that the action
of the House could not be accepted
as an index to the true feeling exist
ing. 1t was pronounced quite generally
bit of political hypocrisy, a step
taken in the hope that it would be
retraced by the Senate, step actuated
by desire of the House leaders that
the Senate should assume the respon-
sibllity. The feeling that Oklahoma
should be admitted to statehood was
as nearly unanimous as the vote on the
bill; but the feeling against New
Mexico and Arizona was quite as
palpabls.
Oklahoma's friends are alarmed over
the existing status and before the re-
cess shall have been taken, they will
make one desperate effort to separate
Oklahoma from her riders and carry
her alone to the statehood goal. Not.
withstanding platform pledges and
presidential recommendation the sub.
iect it remains doubtful whether the
omnibus bill can become law. Divided
Oklahom would be almost sure tc
succeed; united the fall of all three
would surprise no one.
Overshadowing the statehood bill ir
general importance are the reciprocity
treaties which the Senate will again
be asked to ratify.
Their fate is of special moment
as the future relations of the United
States with Cuba are at stake.
The programme on Cuban reciprocity
has not yet been mapped out by it
advocates, principally because of the
The Cuban reciprocity bill, which
passed the House last session, 81
amended Is to be acceptable to neither
side of the controversy-thus amended
and befogged by its opponents to Sc
cure its defeat by those who endorsed
rather than opposed, the principle a
issue--is before the Senate. Cuba''
attitude is not fully understood, ant
n Cuban reciprocity treaty is not ye
ready for submission. The "recon
centrados" Of the last session, who's
ranks have been thinned rather thar
strengthened, will endeavor to keel
up the fight and for the present viii
content themselves with urging non
action on the bill, in order that {
reciprocity treaty, when presented
may be considered without pre-
judice." How far they will go in op
posing ratifca ton of any such treaty
has not yet been decided but they will
be ianked by Senators from othe
states whose interests are involve,
in other treaties to be sumbltted, ant
which from local considerations the,
will feel bound to defeat.
As an example, the Hay-Bond treat
between the United States and Grea
Britain on behalf Of Newfoundlan,
may be cited, which has the cordia
dislike of the Senator's from the Ney
England states, who may be expecte
to join hands with any other groul
of Senators. who will come to thel
support.
Altogether reciprocity, quite thee
retical favOrite, adorned with the pres
tige of presidential endorsement, vii
have mighty rough shedding when /
, comes to n practical application of tn
doctrine involved.
Upon one subject there Is quite
general desire and disposition to tax
) some action This is on the subject o
antitrust legislation.
Republicans will make strenuous en-
dcavor to get together upon som
amendments to the sherman law whic
, can be enacted at this session. 1t /
not believed that these amendment
will do more than skim the surface
they will not attempt to exhaust tn
question, but they will be in line wit
the suggestions of Attorney Genera
Knox and the views of President Roose