Middletown transcript., 1903-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26tli


'The Statehood bill shall not pass eve
though a special session of Congress
necessitated by the methods we are con
PEELED to adopt to defeat il" said Senate
Hanna, when ali inquiry was put to hi
and the remarks of the two men illustrat
the present situation in the Senate
Under the rules of the Senate it is impo
sible to secure vote on any measure g
long as anyone desires to debate til
question. Senator Quay has, by tes
vote, demonstrated that seventeen Re
publicans and practically all the Demo
Gratis will vote for Statehood. This ha
placed the opposition, which include
the men recognized as leaders of the Re
publican party, in the position of filibus
terers attempting to talk to death meas
ure favored by the majority Of the Senat
and they accept the charge and asser
their intention of continuing to filibuste
and their belief that they are warranted
in so doing. =
*x*
Senator Hansbrough, who is an arden
advocate of statehood, said to-day, '"Tht
Republicans who support the Statehood
bill are acting in accordance with theil
belief They feel bound by the pledge O
party platform and reasons, which are
convincing to everyone who will take the
trouble to investigate them that state
hood should be granted to the territor'
les. 1t is the opposition that is filibus.
tering and preventing other legislation.
We are ready for vote at any moment
and vote would dispose of the measure
in accordance with the will of the major
ity. The attempt of the leaders is con-
trary to the principles OF government.
They are endeavoring to make the mi
nority rule. Every Republican who
favors statehood feels that he has good
company. Sixteen other Republicans
think and feel as he does. There is no
antitrust bill before the Senate now.
When there is it will become the certain
duty of the leaders to permit a vote on
the Statehood BILL"
~
The Administration antitrust bill is
now before the House. 1t has been care
fully framed by the members of a sub
and the Acknowledgement and
is drawn upon lines dictated by the ex.
perience of the latter who has found the
Sherman law deficient and has framed
the present measure to supply its def
ciencies, The proposed law is not dras-
tic and contains no provision capable of
inficting the slightest injury on any cor
poration doing legitimate business. It
merely prohibits those determinations
which have, in the past, served to, build
up huge monopolies and provides the
Government with the means for enforc-
ng the law. tits the ardent hope ofthe'
President that the bill may become law,
/ wish which is evidently seconded by
he large majority of the people judging
oy the correspondence of numerous
of Congress which your cores
,ondent has been permitted to see. The
ill will pass the House at an early date
ind, it is believed, without opposition
rom the Democrats.
~
According to present intentions the
Ilkins antitrust bill which embodies one
f the Attorney-GeneraPs recommends
ions, that rebates and concessions of all
inds on transportation charges be pro-
ibited, will be reported to the Senate
o-day. 1t is said by prominent senators
hat the Elkins bill will probably pass.
he immigration bill is being pushed in
1e Senate and Senator Fairbanks, who
as the measure in charge, is confident |
nat he will secure its passage. |
~
The utmost qualification is expressed
y the friends of the Isthmius canal at |
le conclusion of treaty with Colombia
1 terms generally regarded as most
vorable to the United States. While
le price to be paid, $4,000, 900 cash and
/ annuity of $3.50, 900 beginning five
ears after the ratification of the treaty,
generous one from the standpoint of
olombia there is every reason to believe
at this country will be amply compen-
ted once the canal is in operation, ]
le treaty was read to the Senate in Sc
ct session on Friday and referred to
g Committee on Foreign Relations.
veral of the most influential members
the Senate told your correspondent
at they were certain the treaty would
ratified in its present form at this ses-
IN of Congress. The only element of
ubt remaining is the Colombia Con-
ess, both houses of which will have to |
te on the convention.
~
While Colombia technically observes 6
3 provision of her constitution, which !,
bids her to part with any portion of
r territory, she leases to this country a
period of one hundred years, the de- a
ed zone of land with privilege of renew b
, the lease for like period and the
ne rental, indefinitely. During the
lstruction of the canal marital law is to
wall. After that arrangements are to
made for policing the strip, etc, by
Mt high commission. At the end of e.
ty years the entire property of the I'll
mama Railroad Company will revert h
he United States. The treaty is gen.
lily regarded as another triumph for
diplomacy of Secretary Hay. ia
~ Il
he action of Germany in persistently W
nbarding San Carlos, Venezuela, is SC
sing grave apprehension to the officers
his Government and to leading MEM
8 of the Senate. A number of the us
er have been interviewed by your cor. Dc
oondent and while most of them re- y,
ed to be quoted on the subject all but =,
expressed the belief that the situation oe
! becoming acute and threatened to
olive the United States in difficulties fr,
b Germany. Senator Scott was out m,
ken in his denunciation of the action
Ierma1y saving UC,ar,n INV bos - is