The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-14
FAIRBANKS AT WHITE HOUSE
SENATOR DISCUSSES PANAMA AT
FAIRS WITH THE PRESIDENT. ,
w. IA. Lands on Porto Rican COndi-
on Army Post Site Payments.
to the indianapolis Journal.

reciprocity programme. Every indication
points to prompt action to make effective
the terms of the treaty ratified by the Sen
ate. One of the leading members of the
committed on foreign relations, which Will
have charge of the bill in the Senate, said
to-day that in his opinion the bin as 1T was
reported by the ways and means commit
tee of the House will be adopted by both
branches of Congress-. This is important,
in view of the fact that it is regarded as
certain the measure will go through the
House without amendment and by a large
majority. Circumstances have conspired TO
prevent anything in the nature of a fill
buster. or even tactical opposition on the
part of the members of the Republican
House majority who are opposed to Cuban
reciprocity on principle.
The issue was fought out in the committee
On ways and means of the House. The plan
for securing a vote on the suggestion for
removing the differential on refined sugar
was ruled out when it was offered by Mr..
Williams, the Democratic leader. 1t will
suffer the same fate in the House. Repub-
lican representatives who have no sympathy
with the reciprocity movement, but who
are not disposed to embarrass the admins
tration by factious opposition, will take
their cue from this result. A few Of them,
possibly a dozen or fifteen, will vote against
the bill on its final passage as a protest
and in justification of the position they have
always occupied on the subject. But the
measure will pass the House and by far the
largest number of Democrats will vote for it,
notwithstand their claim that the plan is
not in accordance with the principles of
Dprn0Ora fip rppinr0pifv Tho Cuban hill was
reported to-day and will be passed in the
House next Thursday.
While the subject of Cuban reciprocity
is now occupying the center of the legisla-
the Capitol is the isthmian canal project,
made prominent at this time by develop
ments in Panama. While the establish
ment of the new republic is favorable to
the programme of the administration to
build the canal along the Panama route,
the President and his advisers are watch
ing the situation in South America with
a great deal of interest, not unmixed with
concern. Senator Fairbanks, who is a
member of the committee on foreign rela-
tions, which will consider any treaty that
may be negotiated with Panama, was a
caller at the White Houes to-day, and
again discussed the subject with the Presi-
dent. The conference to-day was in con-
tinuation of the one held last night
when Senator Fairbanks was invited to the
White House, together with other prominent
senators, TO consult concerning the situa-
ton in South America 1t is understood
that a copy of the protocol preliminary to
and considered by the President and his
callers. The conference was confined to
the President, the secretary Of state and
senator's who will have direct relations with
the subject when 1t comes up in the upper
house. The administration has not aban-
doned it's plan to construct the canal across
Panama. The Nicaraguan route will be
considered only in an extreme emergency.
No such emergency now confronts the gov
eminent or IS In prospect. There is every
reason to believe that a treaty will soon be
negotiated with Panama.
xxx
Walter X. Lands, postmaster at San
Juan, will leave for Logansport Sunday, ac-
| conpanied by his mother, Mrs. NJ. X. Lam
dis. Mr.. Lands will remain in Indiana un-
til early in December, when he will return
to Porto Rico. Mr.. Lands brings some in
teresting information here relative to the
sentiment of the Porto Ricans on the ques-
ton of a territorial form of government.
Opinion on the subject is divided" he
said. "A great many of the conservative
element and property holders express re-
greet that the military government of Porto
Rico was not continued longer until the
people were educated for self-government.
On the other hand, the labor element wants
a territorial form of government without
delay. The conservatives think property
would be more secure now under a strong
military government. take it that the
policy of the United States will not be tC
take a backward step and that the military
government will not be restored. 1t will be
some years before Porto Rico will be con.
seriously agitated L think testimony would
be submitted substantiating my assertion
that the island is not yet ready for such 9
form of government as is given the Terri
tories in the United States"
X K
Representative Jesse Overstreet paid an.
other visit to the Department of Justics
braced in the site of the indianapolis mill
tary post. He was informed that all of tn,
abstracts, thirty-eight in number, hav,
been forwarded to the quartermaster gen
eral of the army. There will probably b
no further delay in authorizing payment.
to the owners of the property. Any actor
that may be taken TO secure the two tracts
where title has not yet been secured, viii
emanate from the War Department.
Under the terms of a bill just introduced
in Congress-, Indiana is a claimant for 500.
900 due the State from the proceeds of pub
lie lands guaranteed her in the enablin,
act. Years ago the State was paid abou
$1,000 on this account. The measure deal
ing with this subject is known as the 5 pc
cent. land bill. 1t has been pending 70
many years. The bill consists OF two parts
the first devoted to the claims of tn
States for 5 per cent. upon the net proceed
of the public lands disposed of for bount,
land warrants, Indian reservations am
other purposes and second to the advance
deposited many years ago with the State
out of the proceeds of the public lands. Upol
the admission Of the various States TO tn
Union the enabling act provided for IN
reservation of 8 per cent. of the net proceed
of the sales of public lands within eacl
States for the benefit of the State. Twenty
six States. including Indiana, are inter
ested in the claims, which involveS abou
500 .000. In addition to Indiana's claim O
$1O0,000 Illinois is asking for $500, 900; Ohio
$4,000; Michigan, S2S5,0oO, and Wisconsin
$4,000
Representative. Watson has settled tn
postofhce contest at Hagerstown, wayn
county, by recommending the appointment
of Knode Porter. There were seven candi
dates for the place. Mr.. Porter was tn
choice of a majority of the patrons of tn
office.
Senator Fairbanks was officially advise,
to-day that rural free delivery service woul
be established Dec. Is, as follows. Mon