The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-04
LAST LABORS BEFORE
THE FALL ELECTIONS
BY NATIONS CONGRESS
Speeches for Campaign Circulation
VIII Be an Important Func-
ton of Lawmakers.
WORK OF COMING WEEK
Senate Has No Programme, but
May Reach Several Important
Matters Very Soon.
HOUSE CALENDAR BARE
Committees Must Report Before
There VIII Be Much to Do
Status of Measures.
WORK OF COMING WEEK
HOUSE, CALENDAR BARE
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


Of Congress tomorrow will be the beginning
of the end of the last session Of that body
before the presidential election. 1t is be-
lieved the session will not last beyond the
middle of May, certainly not later than the
first of June. Two reasons are given for
this opinion. one being that there is little
I'm the way OF federal legislation that is urg-
emily demanded, and the other that it is
always desirous of making the session short
In the face of a general election. The ma
jority party feels reasonably confident of
success in the fall elections. and it will be
the hope of the leaders to secure an ad-
Journment before anything is said or done
which may injure the chances of success
before the people.
large part of the session will be occu-
pied by senator's and representatives, in
making speeches for campaign circulation.
The Democrats have given notice that IL is
their purpose TO talk freely upon every pos
sible issue of the campaign. using the lib
erty which is given 10 general debate on
appropriation bills to work in these
speeches. The tariff will be the chief topic
of their discussions, but il is said by those
in the confidence of the leaders that they
expect TO be able 10 make capital out of the
actions OF the Roosevelt administration in
the Panama business. This subject will be
as adroitly handled by the Democrats
possible in order to freely criticise the adj
,ministratiOn and at the same time leave no
iloophOle for the assertion that the Demo-
cratic party through its leaders is opposing
the canal project. The experience Senator
Gorman had with that subject has been a
salutary warning TO the Democrats. The
Democratic leaders are certain TO devote
considerable time to discussion of recproc
ity and TO the wisdom policy of extending
the principles of the Cuban reciprocity con-
ventiOn To Canada. Mr.. Williams. the
leader Of the House Democrats. has set the
mark high on this subject by introducing
a series Of resolutions and measures touch
ing the advantages which he claims would
accrue from extending the policy.
In connection With this question of reci-
procity there is certain TO be some discus
sion in Congress over the proposition ad-
vanced by the Cuban government for max
ing a general increase in the tariff rates
on imports into the island. This plan has
caused considerable feeling among the Re-
publicans here. 1t is looked upon as a
rather sharp practice game on the part of
the Cubans, coming, as it does, so soon af-
ter securing the favors embodied in the
reciprocity treaty. The response made by
the Cuban representatives here is that the
plans Tor the increase were laid before the
treaty was completed, and were well known
10 the representatives of this government
They also claim that IL will be a benefit
rather than detriment TO the United
states, because, as they put it, this cOun-
try will continue TO reap the advantage
of the 20 80 and 40 per cent. preferential
on certain exports TO the island. whereas
fI,
OF the Increase. While this is literally true
the suggestion is made that the increase
In the general line of Cubas tariff would
affect just so much the articles sent from
this country, and that this list includes
the breadstuffs and provisions which were
expected TO nave good advantage in the
Cuban market. More than this, il is alleged
by those in position TO know that the in
crease on the whole list will fall with es-
pecial severity u2on those lines of exports
from the United States TO the island which
do not have the benefit of any reduction
under the preferential agreement of the
Cuban reciprocity treaty.
Speaker Cannon has been in frequent con-
sultation with Chairman Hemenway of the
appropriations committee, and the whole
power of the speaker will be directed to-
ward securing the utmost promptness in
the consideration and passage of the appro-
priatiOn bills. This is known TO be the
most effective way OF making a short ses-
sion. But while this is in progress efforts
viii be made to secure some important
legislation from the committee on interstate
commerce relating 10 railroad transporta-
uon, pure food, etc. also from the COM
mittee on Territories on statehood for the
four Territories legislation for Alaska. and
determined effort will be made by the
admins tration supporters to secure the
passage of the bill further reducing the
rates of duty on articles brought here from
the Philippines.
After a recess Of more than two weeks the
Senate will resume business without any
definite programme. Indeed, it may be
stated that the Senate has no programme
for the entire session beyond the passage
OF the appropriation bills, the consideration
of the Panama canal treaty the deter
minatiOn OF Senator SmoOt's case and the
disposition of some other comparatively un-
important matters.
Only one Of the appropriation bills-the
pension bili-has reached the Senate and
that has not yet been considered in commit
tee. 1t Is probable, however that il will
Be reported at an early date. The Panama
canal treaty also is In committee. and il
also probably Will be reported to the Senate
during the present week. The Smoot case
will be proceeded with by the committee on
privileges and elections, but the indications
are that some weeks will elapse before the
question can be brought before the Senate
In regular order.
= 2
Notwithstanding the fact that the canal
treaty is not at present in the Senate, there
Is little doubt that the canal question will
form the leading topic for discussion during
the week. Senator Lodge will speak on this
subject on Tuesday. and IL Is quite certain
that he will be followed by other memb mbers.
especially by some who antagonize the atti-
tude of the administration Senator Lodge
will uphold, in an elaborate speech. the
right OF the President 10 recognize the in
dependence Of Panama at the time and in
the manner In which President Roosevelt
gave the recognition. Senator McComas
also has iutimated his intention To discuss
this subject No formal notice has yet
been given OF other speeches on the canal
question. but IL Is the prevailing opinion
among senators that many other speeches
viii be made. Senator Morgan is prepared
az any time 20 speak. but his present inten-
tiou is 10 wait until the treaty Is reported
from the committee on foreign relations
and then 10 discuss IL in executive ses-
sion
The committee is expected TO report the
canal treaty by the middle OF the week
and II IS the intention OF the friends Of the
admi nistratlon To press consideration OF the
treaty by the Senate as rapidly as possible