Middletown transcript., 1903-02-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

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! WASHINGTON LETTER.
| WAsHINeToN, February 23d, 1903.
THE most complicated situation sine
= the filibuster on the Lodge bill nos
exists in the Senate and threatens tn
defeat Of the Panama and Cuban treatie
and even an extra session Of Congress
Senator Morgan, who is welded to tn
idea of constructing the Isthmian Cana
by the Nicaraguan route, is determined t
defeat the Columbian treaty and il
openly filibustering to that end. He ha'
already made phenomenal record, hay
ing used more than zoo, 900 words in his
argument against the convention without
showing signs OF fatigue. Senator Quay,
exasperated BY. his failure to secure 9
date for vote on his Statehood bill, has
joined forces with Mr.. Morgan, and other
disgruntled senators are contributing
more or less to the filibaster. The situa-
tion is still further emphasized by the
unequivocal announcement OF the Presi-
dent that in case either of the treaties
mentioned fails Of ratification be viii call
the Senate in extra session. Unless a
solution of the present difficulty is ar
rived at an early date an extra session OF
Congress will be necessitated
~
In view of the facts above stated, num-
erous conferences have been held and at
this writing the Republican leaders are
hopeful of effecting q compromise along
the lines of the two Statehood bills with
some concessions to the Democrats, such
as provision for eventual separate state-
hood for Arizonia and New Mexico when
they shall have attained a certain pre-
scribed population, etc. The Republican
advocates Of Statehood have agreed to
this arrangement, but the Democrats
are vet to be heard from. The effort is
being made to secure an agreement to
ratify both the treaties in return for the
Statehood compromise.
-
Aside from appropriation bills passed,
the House has effected little legislation
during the past week. The Fowler cur
rency bill is now under consideration
and, while Representative Fowler be-
lieves it will pass the House, it may be
safely predicted that it will receive no
consideration in the Senate. An earnest
effort will be made to enact the Aidrich
bill and that will be all the internal cur
rency legislation enacted by this Con-
gress. The Senate Philippine coinage
bill has been accepted by the House COM
mittee and will probably be enacted.
The amendment providing for an inter-
national commission to devise means for
setting a standard for silver was rejected
by the House committee.
=
An agreement on the Anti i-Anarclfy
bill, which was left in conference at the
close of last session, has been accom-
piished. AS it now stands the measure
provides the death penalty for killing
the President or his legal successors. An
attempt TO do SO will merit hanging or
imprisonment of not less than ten years.
Any one who aids, advises or abets such
killing shall be deemed principal offen-
der. Any one who advocates the killing
Of any officer Of civilized government,
other than the United States, shall be
fined not more than $5, 600 or imprisoned
for not more than twenty years or both.
No person holding anarchistic views shall
become naturalized citizen of the
United States.
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The President, whose capacity for de-
tails seems to be unlimited, brought to
the attention of his Cabinet, at its last
the delay which has attended
the constfuction Of naval vessels already
aatholized and the detefioration in the
target practice records recently returned
to the Navy Department Mr.. Roosevelt
Is an urgent advocate sof d large navy and
IS In entireaympathy with the movement
10 establish systematic program for lis
increase. With regard to the delay in
,onstruction5 he ascertained that it was
chiefly due TO the strike Of the employees
If the Steel Trust and to strikes in the
hip yards OF constructors but his insis-
snt questioning revealed the fact that
he Navy Department was also partially
o blame because of the lack of unifor-
nifty in It's designs for vessel fittings
ahiss Secretary Moody announced had
zen remedied.
~
The naval appropriation bill which has
'assed the Houee provides for three new
attle ships, one armoured cruiser, two
teel training ships and one wooden brig. /
he bill further places $500, coo at the
iscrstion of the Secretary of the Navy
,r theinvestigation of the subject OF sub
,arine boats and the purchase OF such as
hesum appropriated win permit. Secre-
,ry Moody has informed Congress that
e desires no more Holland boats until
3 has had an opportunity to thoroughly
st those already ordered, an opportunity
Iich The company has thus far refused.
he merits Of the Lake submarine boat
ave been urged on members OF, the
avail COMMITTEES and it is understood
lat type viii receive thorough test.
he provision authorizing an Increase
ON 500 TO 1000 midshipmen to be ap.
ointed to Annapolis carried. /,