Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-30
From our regular correspondent

Alaskan Boundary Shock to Canada and
the Home Government.
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Oct. %, 1903.
The call for the extra session oil
Congress, to begin on November 8, as
just been issued by the President.
The extraordinary occasion" which
requires the converting of both houses
is the necessary approval by Congress
of the reciprocal commercial conven.
ton between the United States and
the Republic OF Cuba, signed at Ha-
vana on December ii, 1902. The con.
sideration of the Cuban treaty will I'm.
doubtedly be the chief business during
the extra session, but any other bust
ness will be in order, as when Con.
gress is once in session it can under
take any legislation which either
house desires. 1t is expected that
many bills will be introduced, but
most of the time will be consu med in
debating the tariff issue which will be
raised by the treaty. The compare.
tive strength Of the parties in the first
meeting of the Fifty-eighth Congress
will be, in the Senate, fifty-seven Re-
publicans and thirty-three Democrats,
and in the House 205 Republicans and
It's Democrats. In the House OF Rep.
resentative there will be lis memb ers
who have never served before, and in
the Senate, twelve Sena tors who will
see their first service. except that oil
the ten days extra session of the Sen
ate last spring. Senator German will
lead the Democratic forces and the
Republicans in the Senate will find
themselves confronted by united and
definite policy, guided by the man
whom the President regards as his
most dangerous rival for the first Office
of the land. In the House, the new
Speaker will try to distribute the i'm
portant chairmanships without arous-
ing animosities and discussions in the
Republican party. 1t is said that Rep.
resentive Hepburn of Iowa will take
advantage of the change in the speak
ership to lead an attack upon the
House rules which have placed the
lower branch of Congress under the
dominion of small oligarchy consist.
ing of the Speaker and the Committee
on Rules. He proposes to enlarge
this powerful committee and also that
it shall be chosen by the two parties
in the House instead of being appoint
ed by the Speaker. He will no doubt
have the support of the Democrats
and of many Republicans who are con-
cerned at the loss of prestige and power
by the House due to the iron rules of
Reed.
President Roosevelt's on the canal
question has displeased many men,
bers of Congress and it is said that he
will be called upon during the extra
session to explain why, on the failure
of the treaty proposed to Columbia. he
did not begin negotiations with Nicar.
aqua as he is directed to do by the
Spooner act. In the Isthmian canal
question he seems to have adopted the
general Republican attitude of i" stand
pat" In speaking of the Presidents
delay in enforcing the law. Senator
Morgan of Alabama said, s" The Presi.
dent SCENE to be in the same category
as our friend Micawber. He is wait.
ing for something to turn up. just
what that something is to be is not ap.
parent. Why should he delayi There
is no excuse for his hardness in OPEN
ing negotiations with Nicaragua and
Costa Rica for a route. believe a dis.
position will be shown in the Senate
and House to secure an explanation
from the President a. to his exact rea.
son for delay"
Senator Germans singing criticism
of the President for his interference in
the Maryland campaign is having q
visible effect. The Marylanders resent
the implication that they are unable
to manage their affairs without the aid
of Washington and this resentment is
by no means confined to the Demo-
cratic party. While the President
may have succeeded in bringing about
a semblance Of harmony between the
leaders OF the Republican factions, ev.
cry time he summons them to the
White House he brings votes to the
Democratic party. 1t is said that the
President has more fear of German
than for any other candidate the Dem.
ocrsts might nominate and be is doing
all in his power to prevent Republic
can defeat in Maryland. 1t was no
doubt with his approval that Senator
Gorman's brother has just been dis.
missed from the Treasury department,
"for the good OF the SERVICE" The
Treasury officials would not give
out the exact nature of the charges.
Whatever they may be. the dismissal
comes at moment which justifies sus-
picions of political revenge.
The official announcement of the
Alaskan Boundary Commission was
was given out last Tuesday and the
victory Of the United States has pleased
the Americans, angered the Canadians
and surprised the British. The Cana.
dian commissioners refused to sign
the award, but they affixed their sig.
natures to the map which was agreed
upon by the majority. The boundary
decided upon lies far from the coast
and gives to the United States SUBJ
stantially all the territory in dispute.
The line clears all the bays, inlets and
means OF access to the seas and estab.
fishes complete barrier between Can.
ada and the sea from the Portland ca.
nal to Mount st. Elias. Around the
head OF the Lynn Canal the line fol-
lows the watershed. The Canadians
get the canal and the Pearse and
Wales Islands, but We were given the
two Islands which lie Immediately out.
side and they are of far more import
ance from a stragetic point OF view.
The decision in our favor was due to
the vote of Lord Alvestone, the British
representative, who became convinced
OF the justice of the American claims.