Arizona republican., 1904-12-03
SHORT SESSION
Continued From Page 1.


 tee on foreign relations, to which they were referred.
 There was considerable talk during the last session of congress concern ing tariff revision and the suggestion was made by several prominent lead CTS that any revision that was neces- sary could be accomplished during the short session of congress, the idea be- ing that revision would be on the lines of reduction and would meet with little or no opposition. If more revenue is needed, and it is found necessary to add some internal revenue taxes, op- position may be more pronounced. Revenue legislation of any kind is sure to create considerable talk in the sem ate, and that means delay. In fact, it has become known that under present conditions, legislation during the short session is enacted by practically unani- nous consent. Any half dozen sen ;ttors who determine to defeat a bill have the power to do so. with the priv ilege of unlimited debate. In the house the stringent rules enable the maj jority to transact all business it desires, and so far as that body is concerned there is no difficulty about any legislation that may be attempted, but if the lead- CTS do not want tariff revision or change in the revenue laws. nothing will be done.
 PENDING SENATE BILLS.
 The unfinished business in the sen ate is a bill passed by the house pro- Viding for the construction of railroads in the Philippine islands by the guar antee of per cent income upon the money invested in such roads. The bill ,fv-., bonds for other internal improvements in the islands, and in several other particulars amends the Philippine laws passed by congress. The bill met with a great deal of opposition during the last congress, but Senator Lodge, who has it in charge. says that he will press it from the beginning of the ses- sion and hopes to secure its passage The principal opposition was to the provision which guaranteed an income to the railroads. and little objection was made to other features of the bill Another bill for the Philippines, which has been urged by Secretary Taft and the president as welfas nearly everyone interested in the Philippines, provides for a material reduction of the duty on sugar and tobacco, as well as other Philippine products. In fact, free en- try of these products has been recom- mended. The sugar and tobacco inter ests were strong enough in the past to defeat any substantial reduction. and the law provides for a duty of D per cent. of the Dingley rates. A demand for a reduction to 25 per cent. has been quite frequently presented to congress.
 JOINT STATEHOOD.
 Another measure which received the
 Al T,e. which has never been pushed in the senate, is the statehood measure. which provides for two states, doubling up the territories of Oklahoma and In dian territory as one and Arizona and New Mexico as another. This bill, like any other which may encounter OppO- sition in the senate. could be easily de- feated. and advocates of a separate statehood for all the territories are likely to pursue that course.
 Should the house of representatives decide to impeach Judge Charles Swayne, of the northern district of Florida. the business conditions of the senate would be complicated. After an investigation, a majority of the house committee on judiciary in the last session recommended impeach- ment. Consideration of the resolution was postponed until December 13. the beginning of the second week of the short session. Meanwhile the judiciary committee was instructed to take fur ther testimony, a task it began two weeks ago. Present indications are that the house will not authorize an impeachment. or, if it does. the action will be taken so late in the session that the real proceedings will go over until the next congress. There are prece- dents for such action in other impeach- nent cases that have been before con gress.
 It is somewhat doubtful if a vote will | be reached in the senate in the case of Senator Shoot of Utah. This case attracted a great deal of attention last session when the committee Op priv ileges and cleo 'ions summoned the heads of the Mormon church to tell what had been going on of a polyga- nous character in Utah and thousands of persons petitioned daily to have Shoot elected from the senate. A l score Or more of witnesses are yet to | be examined, and the defense has not even begun, so that it is evident that before a report is made to the senate the session will be so far spent that nc | SELtOuS attempt VIII DG IiidlG 10 IGsL-L a vote upon Senator Shoots title Some question has arisen as to whe- | ther the case lapses with the end of the | present congress. It was the opinion of the late Senator Hoar that the pro- | ceedings would end with the congress and an entire new case would have tc | be commenced if it was found desirable to continue the case against MT. Shoot l CHINESE EXCLUSION
 | Some doubt exists among the mem l beTs of both houses as to whether ad- 1 ditiOaal Chinese exclusion legislation is necessary. It has been held that the law would expire this month as il
 was founded upon a treaty which alsC 'expires. A new treaty is being nego- tiated and an exclusion law to meet it. terms may be necessary. The peopl, of the Pacific coast have been insist. ing upon more rigid exclusion than tha.
 known as the Platt law, and if tn,