Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-04
THE EXTRA SESSION
TREATIES TO BE REFERRED TO
COMMITTEES AT ONCE.
It is Expected That the Senate Will
Then Adjourn Until Monday to
Give Time for Reports.

will meet in extraordinary session tomorrow
at noon, in accordance with the proclama-
ton Of the President assembling the body
The new senators will be sworn in and then
It is probable the Senate will Immediately
60 into executive session to refer to appro-
pirate committees the Panama treaty and
the Cuban reciprocity treaty, for whose con-
sideration the extra session has been called.
After this is done. it is expected that the
Senate will adjourn until Monday to give
the committees time to report the treaties
to the Senate. 1t is not apprehended that
difficulty will be met in acting upon the
treaties In committee, as they have been
passed upon once, and their reporting again
will be merely Formally There seems at
this time to be no disposition to filibuster'
against the treaties in committee.
The understanding among republican sem
ators today was that Senator Morgan would
not consume very much more time in dis
cussing the Panama treaty in the Senate.
1t was said that he expects to conclude the
presentation Of his arguments against the
treaty within few days, and there appears
to be no obstacle in the way of reaching an
early vote on that treaty
The Cuban Treaty.
AS to the Cuban reciprocity treaty, the
outlook for speedy action is not so favor
able. In fact, great uncertainty exists as
to the scope and character Of the Opposi-
ton which Is to be made to that treaty. The
republican managers would be very glad
at this time to see their way clear to ap-
proximate day upon which vote can
be taken.
Undoubtedly there is two-thirds vote in
favor Of the treaty. The treaty gains sew
eral votes in the new Senate, namely, one
from Maryland, where Mr.. German sue
ceeds Mr.. Wellington; one from Idaho one
from Washington and two from Delaware,
losing one from Arkansas and breaking
even on Missouri
The fiIibuster against the Philippines tariff
bill by democratic faction may or may
not threaten delay on the Cuban treaty.
The objections urged against the admission
of sugar from the Philippines in compett-
ton with the homegrown sugar of this
country could be applied in principle to the
reduction of the Cuban tariff, although not
in practice, but it is not known how far the
faction is prepared to go.
The best judgment Of republican mana
gers is that the debate on the Cuban treaty
will run along from two to three weeks, and
that the Senate can get away by the latter
part of March.
Long Session Opposed.
There is a general feeling on the part of
senators averse to having q long session of
the Senate. Under any circumstances they
do not like the prospect of a long stay in
the city, with the necessity for constant at
tendance on the sessions Of the Senate, and
1t is quite well understood that Mr. Nor
gan will insist upon maintaining a quorum
at all times when he is talking. But with
a continuous executive session the prospect
is still more distasteful to them, as such
sessions are unpopular always whenever
they are extended.
Mr.. Morgan has all along insisted that he
To al in, 1,,,f
there is little likelihood that the traditions
of the Senate will be invaded to such an
extent as to cause senators to concede that
privilege. Mr.. Morgan has told several
senators that he feels it to be his duty to
go over the entire subject of the canal in a
very full manner for the benefit of new SEN
ators who have not had the advantage of
his discussions in the past.
The manner in which Mr.. Morgan will be
given time to present his views to the Sem
ate is one of the knotty questions connected
with the extraordinary session. He will,
Of course, have unlimited time, but whether
or not there will be continuous sessions is
matter that will have to be decided by the
Senate. The democrats have not sanctioned
any proposition looking toward extension
of the sessions that would SO tire out SEN
ator Morgan to render it impossible for
him to present his views at such length as
he desires. In fact, propositions of that
kind have not had great approval on either
side Of the chamber. But it may be re-
garded as absolutely necessary that some
thing be done If a very long session is to be
avoided. 1t is likely that night sessions
will be held after the discussion has pro-
ceeded for a week or two.
Other Matters to Be Considered.
Extradition treaties with Venezuela and
with Mexico will demand action. 1t is also
likely that some of the reciprocity treaties
will be given attention, especially the
French reciprocity treaty. The Senate be-
ing continuous body, all of the treaties
are still before 1t, and they will be treated
as new matters.
In the case of the nominations that have
been sent to the Senate by the President,
they all die with the Fffty-seventh Con-
gress, and In order to get them to the atten-
ton of the Senate the President will have
to again send them to that body. The nomi-
nation of Crum to be collector of the port
of Charleston. it is expected, will again be
sent to the Senate.