The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-16
all. Here it remained on March

fall. Here it remained on March 4,
awaiting further action.
Thus only six of the fourteen appro-
priation bills had passed the House on
the 4th of March. At this date in the
short session the House would go out
of existence under constitutional linn
itation. The long session is ever pro-
ductive of new legislation. Claimants
and others interested in such legisla-
ton throng the corridors and the pres
sure upon the members of the various
committees is much heavier than IN
the short session. Great schemes per-
meate the atmosphere, and the ele-
ment of hope blended with opportunity
is a controlling incentive in legisla-
tive operations.
The Speaker keeps his eye on the re-
ceipts of the government, and sums up
the aggregate required for disburse-
ments The balance ought to repre-
sent what may safely be spared for
outside projects. Then comes the sift-
ing Of such projects. Two bugaboos
are the river and harbor bill and the
sum required for public buildings. The
first was due last year, and was de-
feated by Tom Carter's last speech in
the Senate Had this event been fore
seen we should undoubtedly have had
a shower of public buildings last ses-
sion. This year the Speaker is con-
fronted by both bills. The river and
harbor bill is undoubtedly unevenly
loaded, and may have hard time. IL
the House refuses to pass the irriga-
ton bill sent over by the Senate, the
latter body may retaliate by hitching
the project on the river and harbor bill.
If the sums set aside for insignificant
creeks at the expense of the CONNER
cial interests of the great cities are al
lowed. the President may follow the
example set by President Arthur years
ago, and interpose veto. 1t is APP
parently settled that the amount re-
tuired for public buildings will he
placed in an omnibus bill. Log-rolling
will follow, and the bill will gravitate
thorugh the House by its own weight,
Nor is the speaker alone in his dag
nosis of the situation. The veteran
Joseph G. Cannon is also trying to bal
ance the scales. He already knows
how much money his own committee
will appropriate, and he has estimated
the amount required for appropriations
made up elsewhere. The repeal of the
war revenue tax reduces the available
balance and makes him more cautious.
No one knows what Cannon VIII DO.
He may proceed on the assumption
that the Nicaragua Canal project will
be strangled in the Senate, and he may
act on the conviction that the Frye
shipping bill is already on the road to
sure defeat At all events there are an
infinitude of schemes awaiting legisla-
ton, independent of the eight appro-
priation bills unconsidered on the 4th
of March If these bills progress no
faster than those already in hand, it
will be the first of July before the four
teen are out of the way.
The Chinese bill had not even been
reported to the House on March 4. The
bin for the protection of the President
was hanging fire. The immigration
measure had not been considered by
the committee. The eight-hour bill for
the special delectation of governments
contractors was still in committee, The
anti-compulsOry pilotage bill was
awaiting the action Of the Committee