Middletown transcript., 1903-11-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2d, 100


usual, as the President devotes as mucf
time as possible each morning to tin
work OH his annual message to Congress
which he dictates to Secretary Loeb, wht
is one Of the most competent atenoga
pliers in the country. Last year the
chief topic in the Presidents message
was the public regulation Of corporations
but the laws enacted by Congress on this
subject are regarded as satisfactory, and
the trusts are now left to the Department
OF Justice and to the Department of Com
merce and Labor There is not the
slightest chance of any material trust
legislation at the next regular session.
The President will refrain also from any
suggestion which would lead to the con.
sideration of the tariff. The reconstruc.
tion OF the financial system will be dis
cussed to some extent, but the President
agrees with the party leaders that there
is little need at this time for remedial leg
islation. The main topics in the mes
sage will be the Isthmian canal, the needs
of Alaska, conditions in the Philippines,
the upbuildiug Of the navy, irregation,
land laws and the Indians. Reference
will be made also to the postal frauds and
the punishment of the offenders. Mem.
bers Of Congress and the general public
expect from the President and the State
Department news of the negotiations and
the present prospects of canal legislation,
and the message will doubtless contain
a full discussion Of the subject. Cover
nor Taft and the War Department have
supplied the President with mass of
facts from which he can de, cribe the
needs of the Philippine Islands and sug-
gest legislation of different kinds. Presi-
dent Roosevelt believes that Alaska has
a great future and his discussion of the
conditions in the territory will be made
easier by the facts which have been fur
lished him by the Sub Committee OF the
Senate which visited the territory this
Considerable legislation for
Alaska is part OF the Republican plan for
he winter, and the Presidents sugges-
ions will be especially important. The
Improvement Of the navy is a popular
heme with the President and lie will
make plea for ample funds for gun pract-
ce and allowances for prizes to encour-
ge readiness for all emergency. lie will |
warm against any halt in making the |
lavy large and powerful arm. With |
eference to the postal frauds the Presi-
lent hopes to show that the matter has
'een SO thoroughly handled by the gov.
that Congress will not need to
make an investigation of its own. He
Fill make public everything in the clear
st and most comprehensive manner, so
hat the investigation may be regarded
s completed.
~
In December the national Republican
committee will meet here to
onsider the time and place for the next
ational convention. For some time it
as been rumored in Republican circles
hat owing to his i'll health Senator
ianna's place as chairman of the oom-
1ittee would be vacant and there has
cen much speculation as to his successor.
'ormer Governor Crane has been men,
oned as the most likely candidate, al
hongh Senator Lodge has also been
AIMED. However Senator Hanna's health
as now greatly improved and it is more
nan possible that President Roosevelt
ill try to induce him to retain his posi-
on so that the Republicans can have the
enefit OF his experience and judgment.
he disturbed condition of business affairs
some places makes it possible that the
may be fraught with difficult
es, and with such leader as German
work it will be necessary to keep a
larp lookout, as he will not fight OIL SER
'us national issues, but seems bent on
mud Singing" This is very strong
,ason, even ifthere were no others, for
Perry S. Heath from the posi-
on OF secretary Of the committee. He
too closely identified with the postal
andals. The Tulloch charges accuse
i'm OF serious indiscretions, while he i
eld the position of First Assistant Post. ,
aster General, and it is rumored that
le Bristow report accuses him OF official
eruption, of such kind that only the
atute of limitations can save him from
dictment. Innocent or guilty, he
ould be an object Of attack from Cor
an or other leaders and it is best for
e party that he should 90.
~
Friends of an Isthmian canal are some.
hat alarmed by reports from the West
hich indicate that in the Pacific coast
ates systematic attempt is being
letly made to convince the people of
at section that the advantage to all that
rt of the country in the trade with the
lent will be destroyed if the canal
ould be built. The argument is based
'on the fact that the geographical posi-.
IN OF the Pacific coast is such that the
oducts OF that part of the country will
We marked advantage over other Sec c
ms in the trade with the Orient, and
at all importations will have to enter
rough the ports of the Pacific coast, 9
iile if the canal were completed there .
'uld be competition from the east and I
I'M Europe. 1t is not known whether =
is argument will have potent influence !;
tn the present delegation in Congress, :,
t II indicates that strong interests in / =