The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-03
MEET ON MONDAY
Final Session of 5Sth Congress
ConVenes at Noon.
Message Is Not Likely to Be
Delivered Before Tuesday.
INCREASE OF REVENUE
Is Necessary or the Expenses
Must Be Reduced.
Philippines and Statehood Leg
islation LIS Looked For.

Washington, Dec. 3.-On the stroke of
IL Monday the second session of the
| Fifty y-eighth congress will be called to
| order by Mr.. Frye, the president pro
\ tenn, in the senate, and by Speaker Can
non in the house. Nearly every member
will then be in his seat, but only routine
| business will be transacted. The regu-
lar resolutions of notification will be
passed, committees to inform the presi-
dent will be appointed and adjournment
will follow out of respect for the dead
members. The presidents message pro-
badly will not be read until Tuesday.
There is one feature of the tariff re-
vision talk that has some substance.
More revenue must be secured or there
must be a curtailment of expenditures.
With the increasing annual appropria-
tions, a river and harbor bill, increase
of the navy, the Panama canal and
other features of extraordinary dis
| bursement, there will be need of more
money than present customs and inter-
nal revenues provide. An intimation
has been made that curtailment will
satisfy many congressional leaders, but
the majority may determine otherwise,
in which event some revenue legislation
may be necessary and an extra session
for that purpose may be called.
Coupled with tariff legislation discus
number of proposed reciprocity treaties
have been and still are reposing in the
pigeon holes of the senate. During the
coming three months there may be
some talk about these treaties, but the
indications are they will not be Ser1-
OuSly considered.
The unfinished business in the senate
is a bill passed by the house providing
for the construction OF railroads in the
Philippine islands by guarantee OF
per cent income upon the money invest
ed in such bonds. The bill also pro-
VideS for issuing Improvements in the
islands, and in several other particu-
lars amends the Philippine laws passed
by congress.
Another bill for the Philippines.
which has been urged by Secretary
Taft and the president as well as near
ly every one interested in the Philip
pines, provides for a material reduc-
ton of the duty on sugar and tobacco,
as well as other Philippine products.
In fact, free entry of these products
has been recommended. The sugar
and tobacco interests were strong
enough in the past to defeat any SUD
stantial reduction, and the law now
provides for a duty of rs per cent OF
the Dingley rates. A demand for a
reduction to 25 per cent has been
quite frequently presented to congress.
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
the territories of Oklah oma and In
dian Territory as one and Arizona and
New Mexico as another. This Dill, IKE
any other which may encounter oppo-
sition in the senate, could be easily oe-
feated, and advocates of a separate
statehood for all the territories are
likely to pursue that course.
1t is somewhat doubtful if vote
will be reached in the senate in the
case of Senator Reed Smoot of Utah
A 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 maoe 70 tne seIl1ee
the session will be so far spent that no
serious attempt will be made to reach
a vote upon Senator Smoot's title.
The last session passed a bill provid-
ing for a commission, composed of
fye senators and five representatives,
to investigate and report a measure
for restoring the merchant marine of
the United States. The commission
day of the coming session and it is
expected that this will be DONE There
has been a great deal of anxiety mani
tested by men of both political parties
to secure legislation of this character
and if any measure can be agreed
upon which will receive the support
of both parties it will no doubt be
speedily passed.
Some doubt exists among the MEM
bers of both houses as to whether ad-
ditional Chinese exclusion legislation is
necessary. 1t has been held that the
law would expire this month, as 1t was
founded upon a treaty, which also ex-
pires. A new treaty is being nego- |
tiated and an exclusion law to meet its
terms may be necessary. Senator |
Dillingham; has reported from the |
committee on immigration a bill |
amending the immigration laws and it |
is his intention to push for it's consid- |
GRAFTON.
Three years ago when congress as
sembled, flood of bills was presented |
for the protection of the president and |
those in line of succession. Some of /
even reached the stage of conference |
between the two houses when the /
Fifty-seventh congress expired On I
the senate calendar is a notice given by |
Senator Hoar in April that Tuesday, /
December 6, he would ask the senate |
to take up and consider a bill for the |
protection of the president. Whether /
or not some member of the judiciary |
committee will push the measure, now |
that the Massachusetts, senator is dead,
is not known. Currency legislation will !
be talked about, but it probably will |
not be enacted. The Aldrich bill the
Hill bill, as well as a number of 9TH
ers, are pending before committees.
Reduced representation in southern
states which have by one form or an
other disfranchised negroes will be a |
theme of discussion, but not action,
during the winter. The Republican |
national platform is interpreted by /
some of the more radical members of |
the party to call for such reduction
and they will go at the subject from
the beginning. No doubt a number of
bills to prohibit or control campaign
will be presented, as that |
matter became an issue at the close of
the recent campaign.
The trusts will receive attention, at |
least in debate, although some doubt |
is expressed about any effective legis- !