New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-29
A BUSINESS CONGRESS. I'm SENATE AND HOUSE
Panama Canal and Cuban R6CiprOC-
ity the Greatest achievements.
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAUl
Washington. April 2S-Two great achieve
ments have marked the first two sessions Of
the LVIII.h Congress- which is likely TO go
down in history as a business Congress. char
acterized by economy and strict adherence TO
business principles The consummation Of the
policy of reciprocal trade relations with Cuba.
outlined by Mckinley and faithfully adhered 10
by Roosevelt, by the enactment OF an enabling
law which put into effect the provisions Of the
Cuban treaty ratified by the Senate last spring
in special session. constituted the chief work OF
the first session OF the current Congress- which
met on November 8. although the final vote was
not taken until December rs.
OF not less Importance was the ratification at
the regular session OF the Panama treaty. nego-
tiated under the direction of President ROOse-
Velt which paves the way for the great inter-
oceanic highway designed 10 stand throughout
the ages as the greatest monument TO the United
States. well as to the fearless and energetic
President who. overcoming all obstacles and
quick to perceive 4 favorable opportunity. recog
nized the Republic Of Panama. negotiated a
treaty giving To the United States complete con-
troll over the canal zone and received the hearty
Endorsement of Congress In his course
Both Of these measures were contested inch By
inch by Democrats In Congress. who bereft Of
any issue or which to appeal for support to the
voters of 1904 thought they perceived in the
embarrassment and stultihsation Of the ExectI-
tive an opportunity to create partisan capital
Under the rigid rules OF the House little diff
Guilty was encountered in passing the Cuban
enabling act but in the Senate persistent an
tagonism was met. and Senators Teller. Patter-
son and other Democrats 1abored continually TO
rally their colleagues In determined oppOSi-
tion TO the policy of the Republican administra-
tion The result was the postponeuent of
final action until after the beginning OF the
regular session but the final vote was - 10 Is
I'm favor of Cuban reciprocity. this being the
first indication of that Democratic lack Of Ear-
mOny and that disintegraton which have char
acterized the opposition throughout the session.
THE PANAMA TREATY FIGHT.
Immediately after the Christmas holiday the
discussion of the Panama treaty began in ear
nest. The Democrats. seeking to make capital
introduced various resolutions. which they wera
able to discuss in open session. thus avoiding
the CLOSED doors which are the usual order
when a treaty is under consideration In this
debate Mr. German who had been hailed as the
rev leader of the party-thc Moses who was to
lead the Democracy out OF the desert of defeat
believed that he an opportunity to establish
beyond peradventure his right to lead his party
and made herculean Efforts to soIdfy the DEM
ocratic opposition and to create the impression
that President Roosevelt was an unsafe
Days were spent In denunciation of the Presi
dents policy. and demand made by Senator
Hoar for further light on the Panama negotia-
tons gave great encouragement to the Demo-
Gratis. who thought they had gained an ardent
Contnued on