The Press., 1903-03-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, March Q, 1903.

| washington, March 8, 1903.
TIE past week has seen the expiration
of the 57th congress and the Inauguration
| of the 5S h, at least In so far as the 81 nate
is concerned, that body having organized
and begun the special session for which 1t
was called on March 9Th. The closing
hours OF the 57Lh congress were accompa-
MED by the usual rush and hustle and by
more than ordinary partisan bitterness.
The long republican filihuster on the
statehood bill In the senate was recipro-
death the Aldrich financial bill and the
Philippine tariff bill. In the house the
democratic maintained a constant filibuster
during the last seven days Of the session,
occasioned by the unseating Of Repre-
sentative Butler of Missouri In favor Of
M. Wagner, the republican contestant.
On the night before adjournment the
house sat until a. m. and the senate un-
til a m. In the effort to complete the
great appropriation bills
When the hour Of adjournment came,
however, party strife was forgotten, and
the democrats joined with the republicans
In resolution of thanks to Speaker
Henderson for his long and faithful SER
vice, and when the hammer fell and the
house was declared adjourned the mem
bers, nearly 400 strong, gave vent to
their feelings by singing America and
Auld Lang Syne. As is usual with the
senate, the closing hours were more de-
corous. During the last hour Senator
Mason delivered his valedictory, a logical
continuation of the free lance position he
has always occupied In the senate, and
admonished his colleagues to abandon
the policy of filibustering and to restore
TO the Filipinos their absolute freedom.
The usual resolution of thanks to Senator
Frye for his fair and Efficient services as
president pro tenn. was adopted, and,
Wishing his colleagues God speed, Mr..
Frye declared the senate adjourned. The
members of the cabinet occupied places
on the floor of the senate, and the presi
dent came to the capitol and occupied the
presidents room, where. after adjourn
ment, he held a reception to the senators
and newspapermen.
The senate chamber resembled flower
garden on the noon of the 5th, when sew
enteen reelected senators renewed their
oath of Office and ten new members were
sworn In, three of the newly-el. cted sena-
tors having failed to reach Washington
In time for the occasion. AS the senators
approached the rostrum to be sworn
their friends in the galleries applauded
heartily, Senators German OF Maryland
and Hopkins of Illinois receiving the
most extensive applause. Senator Cor
mans desk and chair and surroundintSl
desks were covered with the magnificent
bouquets and floral designs sent TO the
Maryland senator, and Senator Hopkins
was almost as we'll remembered Per-
sonal .animositles were forgotten for the
occasion, and Senator Fairbanks ap-
preached the rostrum leaning on the arm
OF Senator Beverldge, Senator Foraker
leaning on the arm of MIR. Hanna, Senator
Newlands on the arm of Mr. Stewart,
ton, and so on.
A meeting Of the republican steering
committee has been held, at which 1t was
determined to press the Panama canal
treaty for ratification before the Cuban
treaty, it being argued that Senator Nor
gan would debate at length the Cuban
convention with a view to preventing con-
sideration of the Colombian agreement,
whedeas, II the Colombian treaty were
first disposed of, Mr.. Morgan would assist
In the ratification of Cuban arrangement.
Senator Morgan tells your correspondent
that he Is not filbustering on the Panama
canal treaty and Is conscientiously op-
posing it in It's present form, and the re-
publican leaders believe In his sincerity,
but they say that to amend as Mr.. Nor
gan desires the treaty negotiated would
jeopardize the whole negotiation.
At caucus of the democrats held last
week Senator German was elected chair
man, which is equivalent to making him
the democratic leader. He says that he
will inaugurate progressive and aggres-
sive policy among the democrats quite
different from the passive opposition led
by Senator Jones of Arkansas. Senator
Gorman expects to receive material assist
ance In this policy from Senator Stone OF
Missouri, but 1t Is known that both are
candidates for the presidential nomina-
ton, and there are some who doubt their
ability to work In perfect harmony.
An adjournment of congress is invaria-
bly, followed by the discovery of errors in
and this congress is no excep-
tion to the rule. The first mistake thus
far discovered Is In the immigration bill
and involves the application of The immi-
grafton laws, intended only for the United
States, to all Of the insular possessions
The clause so providing was brought to
the attention Of Secretary Shaw by your
correspondent and Mr.. Shaw expressed
great su' prise at Its purport, and said he
was certain 1t was contrary to the mean |
Ing or intention of congress. Heretoforel
the making and enforcement of immigra-
tion laws for the Philippines, Porto Rico,
etc., has been In the secretary of war,
tho phi1fpnipo