The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-03
ROOSEVELT HAS TALKED
 ID LEADING DEMOCRATS
Under the Blackburn Resolution Two Thirds of Democrats Can Whip Others Into Llne-congress
 Convenes Tomorrow.
BY PATTERSON srEALEY.

Washington. January 2-(special)- )-Be- ginning Monday, when congress convenes after a holiday recess of two weeks leg islative interest will practically be ab- sorbed by the Panama canal treaty now pending In the senate.
 The best opinion is that the treaty will finally be ratified, though the debate will extend for weeks, If not for months It may be May before the final vote is reached.
 The administration is bringing to bear every influence upon democratic senators to vote for the treaty and the indications are that enough votes will be forthcoming from that source to ratify it.
 The President has recently sent for and talked with a number of democratic sem ators on the subject of the Panama treaty. A majority of these have told him frank ly that they will not vote for the treaty. Others have said they will consider the matter, but the administration officials are claiming that the President has the necessary democratic votes in his pocket.
 Senator Blackburn Candid.
 
 among those who told the President of his intention to vote against the treaty. The senator said that the President already had sufficient law in the Spooner act to build an isthmian canal, and as negotia- tions with Columbia had failed, the act plainly stated that he was to turn to Nicaragua. The senator said that sui ficient legislation already exists for canal. and that the canal act ought to either be repealed or obeyed as 1t stands on the statute books.
 At present the most interesting phase of the canal treaty is the possibilities of caucus action by the democrats. Under the Blackburn resolution two-thirds of the democratic senators can muster tho solid democratic vote against the treaty. with the exception of those senators who have been instructed by their state legis- latures.
 Democratic Caucus Probable.
 A democratic caucus will probably be- held next week to determine what &C., ton the minority will take If twelve democratic senators, one-third vote against bringing in caucus rule. the members of the minority will be in 8 position to vote as they please. The un- derstanding is that the democratic or ganizatlon is against the treaty and tho organization claims that the twelve votes against caucus rule will not be forth comin.
 On the other hand 1t is claimed that the opponents of the treaty will not be able to muster the necessary two-thirds vote and cannot bring into line against the treaty all democratic senators who have not received state instructions.
 Naturally the administration will watch the action of the democratic caucus with a good deal of interest Without regard to caucus action however, 1t Is thought enough votes will be found for ratifca- tion.
 Wood Will Be Confirmed.
 The nomination of General Wood, which 1t is expected will be favorably reported to the senate Monday, will likely be fol- lowed by confirmation, the length of den bate on the matter depending upon the de- gree of the sincerity of Senator Hanna in his opposition to Wood.
 During the month the Chinese commer- cial treaty assuring the "open door, in Manchuria will be transmitted to the sem ate and will probably be ratified.
 The house will be principally occupied with the regular appropriation bills. There will be no rivers and harbors bill. the money necessary for continuing river Improvements going in the sundry civil bill. The ship subsidy bill goes over until next winter after the election.
 Statehood Badly Wanted.
 Goverrgr Brady accompanied by a num- Der of citizens of Arizona, is now on his way to Washington to fight for the state- hood bill. interest in which has been lag ging during this session. The statehood advocates say there is good chance for the passage of some measure admitting the territories possibly a measure com bining Arizona with New Mexico and Oklahoma with Indian Territory.
 There Is no present expectation that either body of congress will enter into an investigation of the postofhce depart ment. The administration is against an investigation and will be able to choke off further exposures of republican fraud in the department.