The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-04-30
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.



The present session of Congress has
been Il business session. \ sum amount
ing to almost 500, 0O0.000 has been APP
prupriated for carrying on the Govern
ment and forwarding those great enter
prises to which it is committed. Mr..
John Sharp Williams, the minority Dem
ocmtic House leader from Mississippi,
complains that many abstract and purely
political questions have been ignored or
permitted to rest until next December on
the plea of want of time. He would
have the trusts prosecuted. the recipro-
city treaties ratified, the FilipinOs grant
ed more rights, n nearer approach to
free trade with Canada, and Il general
reduction of the tariff. Mr.. Hamilton.
member from Michigan. threw down
the gauntlet few days ago. in which
he vindicated the present policy of the
Republican Party, upheld its present
tariff policy not only as a necessity for
giving the Government its needed re-
venue, but as the chief factor in the pros
pcity of the times. He said that if
there is any widespread dissatisfaction
with the tariff the people win have an
opportunity to give am expression Of their
feelings at the polls next November. :.
The Pension Bill carrying $137, 100000
has PASSED. Senator Scott of West Vir-
ginia, said that if he could have his way
he would give "a pension of 500 per month
to every Union man. rich or poor. who
took up arms in the Civil War. IT,. There
was some speech making in the House
against giving the President control of
the Panama canal zone, but when the
10, nir,n
w.. The only appropriation bills still
before Congress are the General Def
ency and the Military Academy.
A good many odds and ends Of legis.a-
ton remain to be looked after before
the final adjournment. There is a pro
position to buy the First and Second
Bull Run battle fields. and erect mOnu-
ments thereon. :. The jamestown. Va,
Exposition now asks for S4.OOO.O0O, one
million of which is to be used for a naval
parade. The Department of Commerce
and Labor has prepared twenty eight
bills for the establishment of fish hatch
cries, and stations. IA government sub
vcntion scheme for the promotion of the
construction of railoaGs in the Philip
pines is before Congress. 1t proposes to
empower the Philippine Commission to
arrange the details OF the subsidy, the
time for repayment ana the maruer of
securing the government against loss.
Secretary Taft is in favor of the plan
and wishes it to cover Il period of thirty
years by the expiration of which time he
thinks the roads will be self supporting,
and that the natives will have made
great progress in commerce and civilian
ton.
There is a bill before Congress which
declares that after June 18th, 1907. when
a clerk in the civil service reaches the
age of 20 years. his position shah be
vacant. There are some two hundred on
more clerks Of this age employed in
Washington. and there are Il Eumbcr of
Senators who are over seventy. Con
gross is considerable in giving the aged
clerks three years notice.
The question Of MUrmoniSm and plural
wives is again before the public. owing
10 the frank confessions and admission,
of Angus Cannon ami EN- Congressman
brigham II. Roberts. Three of Mr.
Roberts wives have been accounted for
and Mr.. Cannon has made the uStonish
ing statement that he married two OF
his six wives at the same hour. This is
quite as bad ars progressive divorce
which only permits Il man to marry scv
eTal wives in succession. Senator Bev
crdge is strongly in favor of Senator
Smoot retaining his scat. According K
Mr.. Cobb, of Boise City, Idaho, tn,
MormOnS hold the balance of power il
that State. =. Senator Dubois wishes t.
know if amy pOSt-maStcrS in Idaho are
living in poygamy. If there are any
such. they should he excluded from tn,
mails.
The President has had II very busy
week of it. Social matters have divide,
his attentio with more sober duties. IL,
attended and enjoyed immensely thu
play at the Lafayette Opera House givel
for the benefit of the kinsmen of thoSs
who lost their lives on the Missouri. Mrs
John G.. Fremont was the leading lady.
A few days ago the President received {
delegation of fifty-six colorcd men from
the Baltimore Conference of the AFRICAN
Nj. T.. Church. The Daughters of th'
American Revolution have transacted |
vast amount of business provided for
Washington palace and paid their re
spects to the President. :. General Fred