The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-07
CONGRESS RECONVENES
Both Branches Resume Business
With Almost Bare Calendars.
CANAL QUESTION IN THE SENATE
VIII Form Leading Topic Of Discussion
During the Week-Lodge to Uphold
Administration Policy In Elaborate
Speech.

speech,
Washington. Jan. & - After a re-
cess OF more than two weeks,
the senate resumed business with
out any definite program. Indeed.
Il may be stated that the senate has
no program for the entire session be-
youd the passage OF the appropriation
bills. the consideration Of the Panama
canal treaty, the determination OF Sen
ator smoors case and the disposition
OF some other comparatively unimport-
ant matters.
Only one OF the appropriation bills,
namely. the pension bill, has reached
the senate. and thai has not yet been
considered IN committee It Is prob
able. however. that it will be reported
at an early date. The Panama canal
treaty also Is In cOmmitte, and IL also
probably Will be- reported to the SEN
ate during Aae present week The
Smoot case will be- proceeded with by
the committee on privileges and cleo
tions. but the Indications are that
some weeks will elapse before the queS-
ton can BE- brought before the senate
In regular order.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
canal treaty IS not az present In the
senate. there Is little doubt that the
canal question will form the leading
topic for discussion during the week.
Senator Lodge will speak on this sub
iecl tomorrow. and IL IS quite certain
that he will be followed by other sen
ators. especially by some who antae
onize the attitude Of the administra-
ton. Senator Lodge will uphold in sn
elaborate speech the right Of the presi-
dent to recognize the independence OF
Panama at the time and IN the manner
in which President Roosevelt gave this
recognition Senator McComas also
has intimated his intention TO discuss
this subject No formal notice has yei
been given OF other speeches on the
canal question, but il is the preyailln2
opinion among senators that many
other speeches will he made. Senator
Morgan is prepared at any time tc
speak. but his present Intention Is "a
wait until the treatey is reported fror
the committee on foreign relations and
then TO discuss II In executive session
The committee is expected to report
the canal treaty by the end OF thf
week. and IL is the intention Of friend
OF the administration to press consid-
Grafton Of the subject az soon as pos
sible. in the hope OF having the treat
disposed Of as early as practicable In
the session. With the treaty once re-
porteu. they will make an effort t.
confne the discussion 20 the executive
sessions In the hope that by so doina
they will shorten the consideration ol
the question.
The committee on military analr'
probably will report the nomination ol
General Leonard Wood TO be major
general at the first executive session
OF the senate. A meeting or the com
mlttee has been called for today VIII
the understanding that a vote on th'
matter will be taken at the earliest
possible moment The nomination
probably will lead 10 much debate u
executive session. as both the friend.
and the opponents Of General Woot
are quite determined to discuss 1t vl
| length.
The house roassembled and was con
fronted by an almost bare calendar
| Only a few items OF legislation hay'
been reported by committees, and ~
these are Of comparative insignihcancs
II. therefore, will he necessary for IN
house 10 wait for a few days upon ~
committees before beginning the trans
action OF important business.