The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-02-13
PECULIAR SITUATION IN CON
GRESS.
to The Commonwealth.

Washington, D. c., Feb. III, 19Oz
There exists peculiar situation II
the House of Representatives, and that
Chamber appears to be bet upon am
ply demonstrating to the country that
with a Republican majority and the
Reed Rules 1t Is a Thoroughly impoten'
ard irresponsible body. Even The
President has ceased to urge his wishf
upon the lower house and has concern
trateo his efforts upon the Senate wher'
there seems to be every reason to be
,ieve that they have proved effective
The recent statements OF Senator Plat,
IF Connecticut, chairman Of the Con-
mittee on Rela.l ions with Cuba, al
Senator Proctor, of Vermont, are re-
garded, not only as indicative OF tn.
attitude of the Senate on the question
of Cuban reciprocity, but as threa
ard that If the House does not pursue
reasonable course the Senate will dis
regard it and effsct tue desired recipro
Cal relations by means OF treaty.
The republicans are holding PEREZ
love least in the Senate committee CT
the Philippines over the testimony
Judge Taft in regard to conditions II
| the Islands. 1t never seems to Occur
| to them that gentleman who Is draw
ing salary of $50 600 per annum 10
governing the "colony" Is most lkel.
TO see the rosy side of the situations
Without impugn,ng Judge Taft's sill
cerity, it is reasonable to assume thai
from his magnificently furnished office
in Manila, and surrounded by tbs
members of commission all hand
somely recompensated for their service.
things may look very bright in tbs
( Philippines. As matter OF fact, how
ever, there are others, perhaps equall
competent, to testify, many of then
officers who have penetrated into tn.
strongholds of the insurrectlon, who d,
not regard the situation from the sam.
hopeful and complacent standpoint AZ
does Governor Taft.
The Philippine tariff bill continue,
To occupy the attention OF the Sena,'
and drastic censure of the course &
the administration has Teen the usu;.
order of the day on the Democratic side
senator Lodge has stated, however
that the Senate proposes to pass t..
measure regardless of the opinion q
the minority; and his position, tha
he and his colleagues are not open i,
reason or conviction, may serve to PIE
cipitate the passage OF the bill. in vie
of the large amount of business which
the Senate still has to consider.
Representative Newlands, OF Nevada
has introduced a resolution in thu
House providing for the collection
three fourths OF the Dlngley rates o.,
Cuban sugar and tobacco in considers
ton of reciprocal concessions from
Cuba and concludes with an invitation,
to Cuba to come into the United State.
Under territorial form of government
and with the proviso that Statehoo
will be granted when, n>the judgmen
IT Congress, it seems advisable. Mr.
Newlan1s deems such course the
NEST expedlent solution of the Cuba,
problem. Speaking Of the matter be
lCld me that he bad no reason fo
waiting until the Cubans had formed
powerful political organizations, tn.
members of which would expect to de
rive their livelihood from politics al
would therefore oppose annexation, lie
fore inviting the island to come int,
me United States. "Under annexation
the beet sugar men believe they would
be better protected than with reduc
ton OF the tariff" said Mr. Newlands
land am inclined to think thet ar,
right"
Representative Oscar w. Underwood
OF Alabama, expressed himself to YOU
correspondent. yesterday in no uncer
tain terms upon the question OF on
relations with Caba. He said that b.
was in favor of relations as near fire,
trade as could be secured. ssThere ar
immense markets IN Cuba for Amer
can products which would more tha,
make up any possible loss which nigh
be sustained by the sugar interest.
Every increase in the manufacture @
Cuban sugar will be attended with
demsnd for machinery which, unde
, reciprocity, tbs United States will sell
. The farmers o! the whole country vii
be benefited by the increased demap
Tor boots and shoes, and the resul.an
higher prices OF hides, for instance
there will be demand for America
coal as tbs small Cuban product Is 8
poor as to he hardly merchantab!
. product. There are a hundred dc
mands which the United States wi
e supply which are now supplied b
: other countries. The very fact tina,
under former reciprocity treaty, W
+, bad trade of $1s,O0O,OOO per annur