The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-02
WORK OF REGULAR SESSION
LITTLE WILL BE DONE EXCEPT To
PROVIDE APPROPRIATIONS.
Presidential Succession and Bill for
Protection of the President the
Two Principal Exceptions.
peciai to The indianapolis Journal.

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the Republican administration contends
this government is in honor bound to do.
President Roosevelt was unable during the
life of the Fifty-seventh Congress to Sc
cure the passage of a measure providing
reciprocal trade arrangements between the
United States and Cuba. He regarded the
question of sufficient Importance TO keep
the Senate in Washington two weeks after
the Fifty-seventh Congress had expired by
constitutional limitation. He now assem-
bles both houses in special session. and 1t
is written that his Cuban policy, inherited
from his predecessor, shall be placed on
the statue books In the form Of law. The
Presidents determination In this connection
has never faltered, and where he formerly
encountered bitter opposition and hostil-
ity he will nov meet ready acquiescence
and cooperation. The special session may
continue nearly four weeks. Its life cannot
be prolonged beyond that period, as the
regular session of the Fifty-eighth Con-
gress must assemble on the first Monday
in December, which this year falls on the
7th. In the proclamation converting Con-
greSS In extraordinary session, the Presi-
dent mentions only Cuban reciprocity.
Other measures may be discussed, but no
results are anticipated except the passage
by the House of the enabling legislation so
modifying the provisions of the Dingley
tariff law as to meet the terms of the
treaty that will be ratified by the Senate.
xxx
No subject considered by the lawmakers
in recent years created such bitter con-
troversy and violent partisanship as that
embodied In the Cuban treaty. In the
House the discussions among the Repub-
licans were pronounced, and the leaders
were openly defed by a small band Of in
surgents. Notwithstanding the pressure
exerted by the administration. the Fifty
seventh Congress adjourned without acting
on Cuban reciprocity. The feeling then
was bitter and the prediction was made that
when the time rolled around for the as
sembling of the Fifty-eighth Congress the
fight would be renewed along the same
lines. AS far as can be observed on the
surface this prediction Will not be verified.
There is sentiment antagonistic to Cuban
reciprocity, but it is not strong enough to
defeat the administration policy. Many
members who were classified with the
Cuban Insurgents a year ago now ex-
press their determination to vote for the
treaty. 1t may therefore be accepted as a
certainty that before the special session
of the Fifty-eighth Congress has passed
into history reciprocal trade relations
between the United States and Cuba will
be firmly established.
The programme for the special session
having been outlined. attention is now d.
rected by Republican leaders to the policy
that shall prevail in the regular session.
From present indications the coming Con-
gress will be of Importance only from a
political aspect. Little legislation of a ma
tional character with the exception OF the
bill to protect the President and relating
to the succession of the presidency will be
enacted. Appropriations will be confined
mainly to the big supply bills. Closely
following adjournment, early next summer,
comes the national campaign. Both parties
will prepare for 1t this winter. The Demo
Gratis are at loss for an issue, and following
traditional lines. will attempt to fashion
ammunition OF alleged mistakes of their
political m The deep-toned Demo.
cratic orators will descant on the postal
scandals, the land frauds. and develop
ments in Indian Territory. The record of
the administration is clean in all these mat
tiers. Wherever fraud has been found ii has
been pursued by the legal authorities.
Thirty indictments, numerous dismissals
and important administrative reforms have
followed In the wake of the postal investi-
gators. Like energetic measures have been
taken to punish the land sharks. and al
legged peculation and Official improperly is
now under searching Investigation in In
dian Territory. But nevertheless, the DEM
ocratic brethren will touch on all of these
questions with a view to fire the indignation
of the people.
A peculiar condition Of affairs confronts
the Fifty-eighth Congress. No questions
for action at this time. Tariff revision has
been agitated, but the Dingley law will not
be disturbed at the coming session. This,
at least. is the policy of the leaders. Re-
form in the banking and currency laws is
advocated, but the leaders have so far been
unable to adjust their differences, and ac-
ton in this Connection probably will be de-
ferred until the short session, which will
convene in December of 1904. Some meas
ures of a minor nature relating to finance
may be passed, as well as the Aldrich bank
deposit bill. The latter Is designed as a meas
ure of relief in times of money stringency,
and will probably be passed in one form or
another. 1t has supporters even among the
Democrats.
A tremendous volume Of business was
transacted in the Fffty-seventh Congress.
Measures Of an important nature, national
and state. were disposed of and many laws
placed on the statute books which had been
the subject of controversy for years. The
most important, probably, from a popular
point OF view. were those aimed at combi-
nations in restraint of trade. better known
as the antitrust laws. This isthmian canal
bill was passed. the army reorganized on a
modern basis. and after agitation for near
ly one hundred years the national militia
was placed upon a solid foundation. Inn
portant pension legislation of n general
character was passed, the Chinese exclusion
act was revived, and important modih-
cation made in the immigration laws. The
Department OF Commerce and Labor was
created. a civil government for the Philip
pines established and a new system of
coinage into the archipelago. Not the least
important of the accomplishments OF the
Fifty-seventh Congress was the passage of
the ELECTROMAGNETIC law and the auto
matte car coupler act. The latter had been
urged for many years. In addition. nu-
merous measures of interest to the various
States In a local sense were spread upon
the statutes. The F1fty-seventh Congress-
also appropriated millions of dollars for
public buildings and rivers and harbors.
1t will thus be seen that the last Con-
gress was a busy one. II paved the way
for a leisurely session this winter. and ex-
cept for the routine business. political dis
cussion, debates on the isthmian canal. tar
if and finance, there is little for Congress
TO do.
No definite programme. except that ap-
preparations shall be reduced TO the mini
mum, has as yet been fixed by the leaders.
Whether supplemental action will be taken
on the isthmian canal project depends on
developments In South America. The ship
ping subsidy bill will not be passed unless
n compromise is affected on important
amendments, which AT this time does not
seem likely. Statehood will be discussed.
and probably two new stars added to "oid
glory" Legislation for Alaska is demanded
as well as new laws affecting our insular