Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-06
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
FACE MOUNTAINS OF WORK

ing the short session Of congress, the
idea being 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 ne
cessary to add some internal revenue
taxes, opposition may be more pro-
nounced. Revenue legislation of any
kind is sure to create considerable
talk in the senate and that means de-
lay. In fact it has become known
that under present conditions legisla-
ton during the short session is
enacted by practically unanimous con-
sent. Any half dozen senators who
determine to defeat bill have the
power to do so with the privilege
of unlimited debate. In the house the
stringent rules enable the majority
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
leaders do not want tariff revision or
change in the revenue laws nothing
will be done.
Philippine Railroad Bill.
The unfinished business in the SEN
ate is bill passed by the house pro-
viding for the construction of railroads
in the Philippine islands by a guaran-
tee of 5 per cent income upon the
money invested in such roads. The
bill also provides for issuing Philip
pine bonds for other internal improve
ments in the islands, and in several
other particulars amends the Philip.
pine laws passed by congress. The
bill met with a great deal of opposi-
ton during the last congress, but Sen
ator Lodge, who mas it in charge, says
that he will press it from the begin.
ming of the session and hopes to Sc.
cure it's passage. The principal op-
position was to the provision which
guaranteed an income to the railroads,
and little objection was made to other
features o. the bill Another bill for
the Philippines. which has been urged
by Secretary Taft and the President
as we'll as nearly every one interested
in the Philippines. provides for ma
terial reduction Of the duty on sugar
and tobacco as we'll as other Philip
pine products. In fact free entry of
these products has been recon-
mended. The sugar and tobacco in
terests were strong enough in the past
to defeat any substantial reduction
and the law now provides for duty
of seventy-f1ve per cent OF the Ding
ley rates. A demand for reduction
to twenty-five per cent has been quite
frequently presented to congress
The Statehood Measure.
Another measure which received the
sanction of the house last session, but
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
opposition in the senate, could be cas-
lily defeated and advocates of a sepa
rate statehood for all the territories
are likely to pursue that course.
The Swayne Impeachment.
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 49, the
beginning OF the second week of the
short session. Meanwhile the judi
ciary committee was instructed te
take further testimony, a task it began
two weeks ago. Present indications
are that the house will not authorize
an impeachment, or If it does the &C
tion will be taken so late in the ses
sion that the real proceedings will gc
lover until the next congress. There
are precedents for such action in othel
impeachment cases that have been be
fore congress.
The Smoot Investigation.
1t is somewhat doubtful if vot
will be reached in the senate in tn
case of Senator Reed Smoot of Utah
This case attracted a great deal of al
tention last session when the commit
tee on privileges and elections sun
nloned the heads of the Mormo
church to tell what had been going 0,
of polygamous character in Utah, an
thousands of persons petitioned dali
| to have Smoot elected from the ser
ate. A score or more of witnesse
are yet to be examined and the de
Tense has not even begun, so that it
evident that before report is mad
to the senate. the session will be S
far spent that no serious attempt wi
made to reach a vote upon Senate
Shoots title.Some question has arise
rs to whether the case lapses with tn
end of the present congress 1t wa
the opinion of the late Senator Hoa
that the proceedings would end wit
the congress and an entire new cas-
would have to be commenced if it wa
found desira BILE to continue the cas-
against Mr. Smoot.
The Merchant Marine.
The last session passed bill PR
viding for a commission composed c
FIVE senators and five representative
to Investigate and report a measur
for restoring the merchant marine c
the United States. The commissio
was instructed to report on the frs
day of the coming session and it is e1
pected that this Will be done Their
has been great deal of anxiet
manifested by men of both politics
parties to secure legislation Of thi
character and If any naa cura can h