The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-02-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, February 2, 1903.


the statehood fight in the senate, In which
Senator Quay has scored several points
In the way of legislative jockeying, and
gained an advantage which now seems to
presage an extra session of congress.
By one of those subtle moves for which
the Pennsylvania senator is famous, he
secured the introduction and reference to
his own committee of the statehood bill
as an amendment to the agricultural and
sundry civil appropriation bills. On Sat-
urday he secured the adoption of the
measure by the committee as an amend
ment to the agricultural bill, and in that
form will be able to secure vote In the
senate, unless the appropriation bill is
permitted to fail, which failure would
mean an extra session.
Senator Quay said yesterday that as
the circumstances were most unusual he
considered that he was warranted In re-
sorting to unusual methods. personal
notice has been served on every senator
favorable to statehood" said Mr.. Quay,
t. death. One New England senator told
tpe that he would drop In his tracks de-
batting the measure before he would per-
NIT 1t to become law. Under these cir
cumstances consider that need no ex-
cuse for reso1ting to drastic measures to
secure the enactment of the will of the
majority of the senate.''
Senator Hanna, when seen by your cor
respondent said, 'Wait and see. I am
making no prediction except that the
Statehood bill will not become law dur
ing the Fifty y-seventh Congress" Anoth-
er prominent senator who Is opposed to
the measure said, II consider that to per-
nit the statehood bill to become law as
an amendment to an appropriation bill,
to which 1t Is In no way germane, would
be to establish most pernicious preced-
ent and II the opponent of the measure
find 1t necessary to cause the failure of
the appropriation bills to which 1t Is at
tached and thus precipitate an extra ses-
sion of congress, they will not hesitate to
do so. 1t would certainly be their duty"
1t Is the hope, however, of the opposition.
to wean away sufficient number of the
democrats who are supporting Mr.. Quay
to defeat his program.
The house during the past week has de-
voted itself assiduously to the passage of
regular appropriation bills and has sent
to the senate the agricultural and Indian
bills. To day it will take up the sundry
civil bill and will probably spend large
portion of the week in its consideration.
Later In the week 1t will pass the Little
field antitrust bill.
The senate committee on foreign re-
letsens has ordered the Alaskan and Col
omblan isthmian canal treaties favorably
reported. Senator Morgan has deter
mined to do all In his power to defeat the
latter but as he stands alone in his oppo-
sition it Is not believed he will be sue
cessful. Senator Morgan to-day told
your correspondent that he was certain
the Columbian government was not legal
ly authorized and that the credentials of
DR.. Herran, the Colombian charged af-
fairs, were not worth the paper on which
they were written. Senator Cullom, to
MIR. Morgan's argument was referred,
said, "It is not the business Of the United
States to go into the legality of the
governments with which it has occasion
to treat. II 1t did that 1t would be COM
PEELED to spend most of it's time investi-
eating the government of the South
American countries with which it has re-
lations. 1t has always been held, In In
ternational law, that the action of a de
facto government was valid and that Is
all that concerns this country in the pres
ent instance"
The United States has this week been
invited by Mexico and China to participate
in what, ON the surface, appears to be a
most important negotiation looking to all
International argument to establish a
silver standard on a basis of 80 to /.
The proposals of China and Mexico come
in the form of diplomatic notes which the
presidents has forwarded to congress with
the recommendation that he be author
lied to appoint three commissioners to
meet with commissioners of the other
nations. The United States Is also urged
to inlist the sympathy of France and
Great Britain, the welfare of whose colo.
MES will interest them In the proposition.
The plan proposed and the ratio sug-
gested is In accordance with the Philip
pine coinage bill now before the senate
and which Is expected to pass at this ses-
sion. This system was recommended for
the Philippines by Mr.. Conant, the expert
employed by the war department to in
vestigate the coinage of the islands, and
Secretary Root says of it that sit would
prevent the further depreciation and
huctuation of silver and prevent the
serious losses occasioned the silver using
untries thereby"
The President has reluctantly decided
that so long as he remains In the white
house he will not again attempt any hunt
ing expeditions. He said recently to a
friend that there was neither pleasure nor
possibility of good luck In a hunting ex-
pedition attended by a corps of news
paper men and watched by a score Of
camera fiends. Mr.. Roosevelt Is, how
ever, carefully noting the information he
is receiving In regard to favorable hunt
ing grounds and says that when he has
turned the cares of the nation over to his
successor he will have long, delightful
hunt which will leave Ex-President
Cleaveland's little ducking trips far in
the shade.
Washington Is enjoying one of the most
brilliant social seasons In its history.
The white house hospitality Is on large
and elaborate scale and senators and
members, diplomats and justices as well
as the large wealthy, but unofficial conti-
gent In Washington society are outlying
each other In the number and extent Of
their entertainments.
1t is regarded as significant fact that
the estimated expenses of the white house
for the next fiscal year are placed at
$110,264, as against $35, 900 last year. It
is claimed that the renovated mansion