Middletown transcript., 1903-03-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, March 23d, 1908.
i THE special session of the Senate of til
= Fifty-eighth Congress has ljournt
sine die after having ratified both tn
Panama and the Cuban treaties and tn
President has expressed himself as salts
fed with the work of the session. Never
theless, there is grave doubt in the mind
OF many friends of both treaties as t,
their future. In the case of the Cubai
treaty it has been amended in several in
stances and one, at least, of these amend
ments seriously ieopardizes the eucces!
of the agreement. This is the Bacor
amendment which provides that the
treaty shall g. into effect only when zap
proved BY the Congress. The question
is now raised, Can all exchange OF ratifi.
cation be made when the ratification oil
the Senate is of SO equivieala character
and depends, for its ultimate settlement,
on the action of both houses of Congress
at the next session? 1t is certain that
there will be no reciprocity with Cuba
until late in the next session and in the
opinion of many competent judges the
House will amend the treaty and thus
precipitate general discussion ard con-
test which will mean the defeat ofVlle
entire project.
1t is admitted that a serious mistake
has been made with regard to the Colon
bian treaty, in that Senator Morgan was
permitted to print in the Congressional
Record all of his speeches against the
canal, while the injunction of secrecy
was not removed from any of the speeches
made by the friends of the convention,
aside from Senator CuIlnni's brief, clos
ing argument. Moreover, the question
is now raised as to whether the Secretary
of the Treasury will feel authorized to
pay out funds under the provisions of
the Spooner act and on the contract
made with Colombia, as there is serious
difference between the provisions of the
two. Several Senators, who most vigor.
ously maintained that there was nothing
in Mr.. Morgan's convention to this effect,
now admit that it is an important factor,
although they say that hereafter all re.
sponsibllity rests with the Attorney Gen
eral who will have to decide this question.
The old suspicion Of the sincerity of the
Senate Advocates of the Panama route ia
again aroused ON apparently good grounds,
IN
1t is frankly admitted that the Presi.
dent is seriously disappointed at the fail.
lre OF the Senate to confirm or reject his
nominations of William Michael Byrne
.or United States Attorney for Delaware
md DR.. Crum for Collector of the Port
If Charleston, s. G. Both of these NOM
nations were sent in during the regular
ession and reported unfavorably by the
Judiciary and Commerce committees re.
pectiYely, but no action was taken by
he Senate as whole. They were sent |
n again on the first day of the special |
ession and Mr.. Byrne's nomination was
reported by the committee
n Judiciary but the Commerce com.
littee refused to assemble to consider
be Crum nomination. True to his word, |
he President has appointed both men as
ecess appointments but it is evident that
he senators "played politics" and deter
lined to place the onus of the appoint
lents on Mr.. Roosevelt. Taking the
asst session as whole. there is good
round for the belief that Mr.. Roosevelt
as very shabbily treated by the leaders
his own party. From the standpoint
the leaders there is reason for it. He
the most difficult president to use and
Republicans have ever had. |
leveland was as difficult, but Republi-j
IN Office seekers expected nothing from
i'm.
~
Another instance of what appears to
ave been scheme to get the President
ito hot water has just come to light.
e was invited to visit Chicago and make
l address with the understanding that |
is visit would be purely non.partisan.
now transpires that the day set for his
sit, April I'd, is just five days in ad.
lnce of the municipal election and the
ception committee is made up entirely
Republicans even the Mayor of the
ty, who is Democrat and a candidate
r reelection, having been ignored. The
when informed of the facts.
lmediately perceived that an attempt
i'd been made to make political capital
It of his visit, with the very possible
suit of iniuring him if the Democratic
ajority nominee were elected, and has
oxen very plainly to the Illinois sena-
RS for not informing him with regard
the election and keeping faith as to
e reception committee. He has fur
er indicated to the Mayor that he
pes lie will participate in all ceremonies
which preparations have been made.
~
rhe report OF the Anthracite Coal
ike Commission has been made pub
and will, i'll many respects be regarded
a signal victory Tor the miners. They
awarded III per cent increase In
ges from April, 1909, 10 March Slst, :
". This applies to all paid regular
yes and nine hour men are to be paid
a 10 hour basis. Moreover, provision
made for an increase of wages by per
It for each cent increase in the whole
q price OF coal over 81. 90 per ton, for
| size.- All disputes are to be settled
a Joint conciiatory commission" to
lsist Of six and to have continuous ex.
,nce in each district. Three members
ibis committee are to be appointed by
operators and three by majority of
} miners, so that in those sections
ere the union men are in majority,
on men will be selected. When an
cement cannot be reached BY this
nly divided commission a seventh