The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-08-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Intense interest has been occasioned in
official and political circles in Washing
ton by the report which comes from Oys-
ter Bay to the effect that the President
may call Congress in extraordinary ses-
sion in October, instead of on November
9, as has been his previous intention.
Senators Aldrich, Plat of Connecticut,
Spooner and Allison have been in confer
ence with the President regarding the
financial bill which they, as members of
the subcommittee of the Senate commit
tee on Finance, are charged with drafting.
After the conference Senator Aldrich, as
chairman, gave out brief interview in
which he referred to the possibility of the
extra session being called in October, and
it is believed that the report is based on
that interview.
~
Officials and politicians in Washington
are loath to believe that the President
will hasten the date of the convening of
the special session. They say that any
date earlier than that already announced
would result in a session from which
many of the party leaders would be
absent, or else would rob some important
state campaigns of the presence of influ-
entail leaders. 1t is pointed out that from
a republican standpoint, the approaching
-, Ohio ie of erro va
The reelection of Senator Hanna is at
stake and it is desired to concentrate
during the last days of the campaign, all
the strength of the party in the west in
that state. The campaign in Rhode Is
land will be important from a republican
and from democratic standpoint. Dur
ing the past few years the democrats have
been making gains in that state alarming
to their opponents, and unless vigorous
fight is made they will this year elect
democratic legislature. Next year Sena-
tor Aldrich will come before the legisla-
ture for reelection and if the campaign is
lost this year there will be little hope of
regaining sufficient ground next year to
return the republican leader of the Sen
ate There are also other state campaigns
which, while relatively of less Importance
from national standpoint, will still have
a material effect on the local organiza-
tons and for that reason it is believed
members of Congress will be reluctant to
come to Washington until the elections
are over.
*x*
1t is generally believed that the men1-
bers of the Seuate committee urged upon
the President their view that it was adj
visable that the subject of financial legis-
lation should be considered in advance of
the legislation necessary to put the pro-
visions of the Cuban treaty into effect,
and that Mr.. Roosevelt replied that if
necessary to secure the passage of both
measures before the regular session he
might be willing to call Congress into
session earlier than had been anticipated,
but in no event would he be willing to
give his approval to the consideration of
financial legislation in advance of the
resolution necessary to put the Cuban
treaty in operation. This, it is claimed
by persons close to the President, is the
probable explanation of the earlier con-
vening of Congress rumor. On the other
hand, it is pointed out that by the adop-
ton of the plan suggested by Senator
Lodge,-a joint resolution, expressing
approval of the Cuban treaty, to be adopt |
ed by both houses of Congress, that sub
ject could be disposed of with the greatest
expedition and nearly three weeks would
remain for the consideration of the Aid
rich bill. So generally has the demand
for reciprocity with Cuba abated that it is
believed by many of the Presidents
friends that he would be wise in placing,
in so far as in his power, those members
of Congress who desire financial legisla-
ton, in a position where they would be
forced to vote on the Cuban proposition
before they could accomplish the end in
which they will be chiefly interested.
wv
On August IS the general staff plan,
for which Secretary of War Root has
worked so indefatigably, went into oper-
alton and hereafter the army will be con-
trolled by Board composed, presumably,
of the most experienced and capable
officers of the army. Lieutenant General
Samuel B. M. Young, who became rank
ing general of the army on the retirement
of General Miles on August s. will be the
first chief of staff, position which he
will occupy until his retirement next
January. The creation and organization
of the general staff has been, above all
else, the ambition of Secretary Root ever
since he took the war portfolio, and now
that is accomplished Mr.. Root desires to
I