The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-06


ously considered. 30 strong has been
h opposition to them that IL has never
been considered worth while to report
them from the committee on Foreign
Relations 10 which they were referred |
There vas Considerable talk during the
last session OF Congress concerning tar |
III revision. and the suggestion was
made by several prominent leaders hat
any revision that was necessary could
be accomplished during the short ses-
sion Of Congress, the idea being that
revision wouii be on the lines OF reduc-
ton and would meet with l!tile or no
opposition. II more revenue Is needed
and it is found necessary to add some |
internal reveau taxes, opposition may
be more pronounced. Revenue iegisia-
ton OF n kind is sure 10 create con-
siderable talk in the Senate and that
mea delay. In fact it has become
known that under present conditions
legislation during the short session Is
enacted by practically unanimous on
sent. Any half dozen Senator'S who de-
termine 10 defeat a 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 il desires and 50 far az
hat body is concerned there is no diff
ficulty 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.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN THE
SENATE.
The unfinished business in the SEN
ate is a BIZ passed by the House pro-
viding for the construction of railroads
in the Philippine Stands by a guarantee
Of five per cent. income upon the
money invested in such roads. The bill
also provides for issuing Philippine
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 1t in charge, says that he will press
1t from the beginning of the session
and hopes to secure it's passage. The
principal opposition was to the provis-
lion which guaranteed an income to the
railroads.. and little objection was made
- other features of the bill. Another
-. tcr the Philippines, which has been
|rt:7d bv Secretary a and the Presi-
dent. as we'll as nearly every one inter
ested in the Philippines, provides for a
material reduction Of the duty on sugar
and q as well as other Philip
pine products. In fac free entry of
these products has been recommended.
The sugar and tobocco interests were
strong enough in the past to defeat any
substantial reduction, and the law now
provides for a duty of IS per cen Of
the Dingley rates. A demand for a re-
duction to % 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 Indian
territory as one and Arizona and New
Mexico as another. This bill, like any
other which may encounter opposition
in the Senate, could be easily defeated
by advocates Of a separate statehood
for all the territories are likely Ia DUR
sue that course.
IMPEACHMENT OF SWAYNE NOT
PROBABLE.
Should the House of Representatives
decide to impeach Judge Charles
Swayne Of the Northern district Florida
the business conditions of the Senate
would be complicated. After an inves-
tigation a majority of the FouseSconl.
mittee on Judiciary in the last session
recommended impeachment. Consider
alton OF the resolution was postponed
until December 18th. the beginning a
the second week of the short session
Meanwhile the Judiciary committee wa:
instructed to take further testimony
a task 1t began two weeks ago. Pres.
: ent Indications are that the House vii
I not authorize an imDeachment. or if il
l does the action will be taken so lat,
8 in the session that the real proceeding:
will go over until the next Congress
/ There are precedents for such action il
: other Impeachment cases that have
} been before
CASE OF SENATOR REED SHOOT.
S II is somewhat doubtful if a vote vii
E be reached in the Senate in the case O
= Senator Reed Smo0t, of Utah. This cas-,
attracted a great deal of attention las
session when the committee on PR. Il
leges and Elections summoned tn.
= heads of the Mormon church TO tel
what had been going on Of a polyga
= nous character in Utah, and thousand.
of persons petitioned daily to hav,
Smoot elected from the Senate. !
2 score or more Of witnesses are yet L
be examined, and the defense has no
even begun. SO that it is evident Ia
before q report is made to the Senate
the session will be so far spent that n
= serious attempt will be made to rsac,
e a vote p senator Shoots title. som,
question has arisen as to whether tn,
t cases lapses with the end of the presen
1 Congress. 1t was the opinion Of TIT
late SENATE Hoar that the proceeding
would end with the Congress and a!
entire new case would have 10 be com
menced if it was foun desirable to con
tinue the case against MI. Smoot.
MARINE or TEE