Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-30

to effected. 1t is now rumored that Ray
ner. in return for Senator Germans sup
port, will yield the patronage to Mr.. Cor
man, unite with him in all important
matters and support his candidacy Tor
the presidential nomination. These are
but rumOrs.
|. Senator Foraker, the close friend OF
the President, yesterday proposed legls-
lation which, should it be adopted, would
practically repeal the Sherman antitrust
law and the penal features OF the inter
state commerce law. He has intrOduced
a bill which provides that restraints may
be imposed upon trade and commerce
between the States so long as those re-
straints are reasonable in their nature.
The Interpretation of what constituted a
reasonable restraint and what overstepped
that bound and became unreasonable
would have TO be made by the courts and
might prove a fruitful source of litigation
and delay in the determination of suits.
In the opinion of some it would practical
" nullifv antitrust laws now on the stat
u books. 1t may be merely a coincidence
that this bill which was only introduced
Yesterday afternoon follows so closely
uoon the visit to this city ofa number OF
men who are noted for their prominence
in the financial and commercial world,
including j. Pierpoint Morgan, ID. Z:
Frick. J.. w. Gates, A. j. Cassatt and
James A. Stillman.
The democrats of the Senate met today
in caucusin Senator Germans committee
ROOM, for the purpose of considering the
course to be taken by them regarding
Senator Bacon's resolution proposing a
a payment to Colombia in settlement OF
any claims for damages that she may
believe she has against the United
States on account of the Panama
revolution. The republicans are
disposed to ridicuIe this proposition.
The democrats were in session until 2:3O
p. M, and then adjourned to a day to be
fixed by the chairman next week. They
failed to reach any definite conclusion.
The majority sentiment was in favor
of the plan of asking the presi-
dent to begin negotiations with Colon
bia for a treaty to settle all her claims,
real or fancied.
While awaiting the answer OF the
President to the resolutions of inquiry
regarding certain phases OF the Panama
affair, the democrats of the Senate will
occupy most of next week in urging the
addition of conciliatory measures towards
Colombia, and in the general discussion
of matters bearing upon the canal ques-
| ton. The democrats want to obtain credit
for proposing means to keep the United
States out ofpossible trouble with Colon.
bia. arrangements for the DEMONSTRATION OF
the charges against Senator Reed Smoot
will be completed by the Senate commit
tee on privileges and elections. The
case of General Wood'scOnfirmation has,
by agreement, gone over until Senator
Hanna is able TO return to the Senate.
There will be a hearing next Thursday
by the Senate committee on commerce OF
the friends and opponents OF the confir-
nation of w. ID. Crum, the negro col
lector of customs at Charleston, and an
other on Wednesday by the same commit
tee on the question of the further I'M
provement oflower Mississippi. Political
speeches, ostensibly addressed to the ur-
gent deficiency bill, furnished the most
interesting feature of this weeks work in
the House. There will not be so much
oratory next week, as matters of routine
will occupy most Of the time. Monday
| has been set apart for District of Colon
bia business on Tuesday the bills repor-
ted from the committee on war claims
will be considered. The diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill has already
been reported, and the agriculture APP
preparation bill will be submitted early
in the week. 1t is the intention to dis
pose of one or the other, perhaps both.
Friday will be pension day.
Don NJ. Dickinson, Of Michigan, form
erly Postmaster General in the Cleveland
administration, appeared today before
the Senate committee on foreign relations
in behalf of certain American citizens
who believe they have claims against the
United States on account of the seizure
of their ships aud cargoes in the Behring
Sea, while engaged in seal fishing beyond
The three mile limit. Heurged thatthey
should be allowed to present their claims
to a circuit court of the United States for
determination in order that they might
begranted the reliefalready given British
subjects in similar cases.