The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-06-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

with Cuba elected from Mr.. Thurber OF
New York the statement that he had |
secured from Mr.. Havemeyer contribu
ton of 81, 500 towards fund used to in
Auence public opinion in favor of reci-
procal relations with Cuba aud that Cen
eral Wood, on behalf of the Cuban gov
eminent, had contributed to the same
fund $2, $50. This testimony was regard
ed as extremely sensational by the oppo-
nents of reciprocity, and partially as
result, thirteen republican senators who
oppose a measure providing for straight
reciprocity, held meeting at which they
agreed to stand firm for the bill as passed
by the House, aud which removed the
differential from refined sugar, or for ad-
journment without action, In addition to
the thirteen senators present il was stated
by Senator Elkins, who is acting as lead
er of the insurgents" that five others
would consider themselves bound by the
action of the conference. The total num-
Der of senators is So, of which 80 are dem
ocrats. If all the democrats and IS re-
publicans voted against straight reci-
procity bill there would be left an affirm
alive vote of but So.
x*x
When the prospects for all agreement
on reciprocity bill looked particularly
blue, however, the President, alleging
that such action he believed to be his
"plain duty" sent to Congress message
urging that body to carry to its highest
completion the policy inaugurated by the
war undertaken to relieve Cuba of Spanish
oppression, by SO legislating as to insure
to the new republic medium of prosper
ity. Mr.. Roosevelt asserted that, in his
belief certain reciprocal concessions were
essential to Cuba's prosperity and that
such could be granted without injury to
any American industry. He had been
advised by many of his political friends
that message 10 Congress at this juno
ture would seriously injure his prospects
of denomination but he refused to listen
TO any suggestion of personal profit or loss
and sent to Congress message which
will command the respect of his friends
and opponents, and even of those who
hold that his reasoning is fallacious. 1t
is too early to judge what effect the mes
sage will have upon the republicans who
oppose Cuban reciprocity although I'M
mediately after they had heard it a num-
Der Of them stated that they saw no rea-
son to change their views. On Saturday
Senator Elkins introduced resolution to
admit Cuba to the Union as state
wv
During the past week the Senate passed
the Naval Appropriation bill instructing
the Secretary of the Navy to secure the
construction of two first class battleships,
two armored cruisers, two gunboats and
five submarine torpedo boats of the Hol-
land type. The provision of the House
that one vessel of each class should be
built i'll government navy yard was
stricken out and l understand that the
House will seriously oppose this elimina-
ton of one of its pet schemes when the
bill is taken up in conference, and also
will.object to the Senate amendment pro-
viding for so many torpedo boats of one,
and it is claimed, insuliiciently tested
type. The Senate will vote on the canal
bill on Thursday.
Xxx
The House of Representatives has dis
posed of number of bills during the past
week. On Monday the bill for the pro-
lection of the President was passed by
large majority and on Friday the Hans
brough- Newands irrigation bill was en-
acted, it having been already favorably
acted OH by the Senate. On Tuesday the
House rejected the Lacey bill, providing
for the transfer of the care of the Forest
Reserves FROM the Department of the H.
terror to the Department of Agriculture,
and it is freely stated that the bill, WHICH
was favored by the President and was
generally regarded as all excellent meas.
ure, was defeated because the members
were loath to forfeit the nominations of
their friends, to the number of 800, for
positions as rangers, privilege which
they now have under the administration
of Secretary Hitchcock.
Xxx
On Wednesday the House will take up
the Philippine bill and will, according
to the rule which has been adopted, de-
vote one week to its consideration. The
lateness of the date and the summer heat
will both operate 10 curtail the oratory of
those senators, who under other circum
stances would regard the Philippine bill
as fitting occasion for extended speech
making, aud it is not deemed probable
that the debate on the measure will be
prolonged or even vigorous. When this
bill is passed the members of the House
will be so anxious to get away to their
districts that it will be almost impossible
to hold them longer in Washington and
they will bring tremendous pressure on
the Senate to hasten its proceedings and
adjourn. July sd is being talked of as
the probable date of adjournment.
~
The Secretary of Agriculture has adopt
ed new platform. He told me one day
last week that i'll view of the manifest