Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-02-03
From Washington.

co,respondepce Of the Alexandra Gazette.]
The caucus of democratic Senators
c,lIs 1 for the purpose of considering the
policy to be pursued by the pslrty in ac-
cordance with the Santo Domingo treaty,
which question was precipitated by the
soeech of Senator Patterson tColo.) IN
which he supported the policy OF the al
ministration, met this morning win
twenty-fpur Senators 10 attendance.
Senator Patterson was himself present.
A number of those present expressed
themselves to the effect that the foreign
policies O. the Roosevelt administration
we're assuming po ition offs much i'm
poriance in national sff IRIS, that they
must necessarily become the subject OF
nartisan discussion. Senator Pat
terson opposed this idea and contend
cd that inasmuch as the interests of the
whole country we're involved in any
treaty or convention with foreign ma
lion. every Senator should be left free to
follow the dictates of his own conscience,
when il came to the question CT consent
ing TO the ratification Of that treaty.
senator Clarke ARK made speech 10
which he agreed with Senator Patterson
that treaties ought not to be made the
subject OF partisan action and announced
his intention to support the pending
convention with Santo Domingo. Sena-
TOR Teller, although intending to vote
against the treaty, spoke against the adj
visabiliIyo of trying to bind democrats to
any particular line of action on such
things. The general opinion is that the
caucus will not do anything and will ad-
iouru subject to the cali ofthe chairman.
Senator Hepburn, of Idaho, who was
taken down with an attack of sppendi-
citis on Wednesday, is reported to be
slightly improved this morning. de 10,
however, still in critical condition AT
a consultation of physicians LAST night,
II was decided, in view of the presence
Of other complications, that an opera
lion would be unadyisab.e. This morn
ing il il said that the Senator has rather
more than an even chance Of recovery.
The TACT of God" clause in freight
and express contracts is not worth the
paper it is written on unless the carriers
use all due diligence TO save The goods
damaged by food or wind. This in
brief is the decision handed down by
c ,mptroller Trscewell Of the Treasury
this morning in reply to request for
light made by the Secretary of War:
Although the passage OF the railroad
rate bill in the House next week is a
foregone conclusion, the closing days OF
The debate will furnish moments OF iG'
terest. A number of speeches are yet TO
be delivered, aud Congressman Hepburn,
Of Iowa, author of the measure now un.
der consideration, will close the debate
for the republicans. He will endeavor
TO bring the general debat: to a close Sat.
urday afternoon and the discussion will
then continue on the presentation OF
amendments under the five minute rule.
1t 10 the intention of the managers of the
bill, on both sides, to defeat every
amendment offered. The remaining days
Jfthe week will be devoted to legislation
on appropriation bills
Senate leaders expect 10 bring the ship
subsidy bill to a vote next week. There
10 little doubt that when this happens
the bill will be passed by fair majority.
This does not, however mean that 1t
will become law, for the understand
ing is that it will fail in the House.
Durisg its consideration in the Senate
he bill has been materially amended in
order to meet objections raised. AS soon
as the subsidy bill has been disposed OF
in the Senate, the statehood bill will be
taken up and end the regular orcer oil
business every afternoon.
IN executive session, the treaty with
Cnba confirming that republics title to
the Isle of Pines, will be discussed. The
hearings in the case of Senator Reed
Smoot, of Utah, on the question whether,
az high official of the Mormon Church,
be can retain bis seat in the Senate be-
cause OF the alleged conflict between his
oath to the church and his oath to
the nation, will be continued by
the COMMITTEES on privileges and cleo
tons beginning next Tuesday. Another
interesting hearing will be that before
the Senate committee investigating Pan
anna canal affairs.
Secretary Of War Taft will appear be-
fore the Senate committee on the Philip
pines on Monday in advocacy Of the
pending Philippine tariff bill. The
foreign relations committee will continue
it's consideration OF the Ssnto Domin %
treaty next Wednesday and nay per-
haps, vote TO report il to the Senate.
On Friday the Senate committee on in
terstate commerce will begin daily
sessions on the various railroad rate bills.
Under the agreement reached yesier.
dsy the committee will take its final
vote and report 8 bill to the Senate on
February 10th.
Southern members of Congress, among
them being Humphreys, of Mississippi
Bowie, of Alsbamn, and Clark, OF
Florida, were heard BY subcommittee
OF the House committee on ways and
means, today, in support of various
measures introduced 10 prohibit the is
suing of government liquor licenses in
prohibition districts, and to require the
internal revenue officers OF the govern
ment to testify in prosecutions under
State liquor laws.
Announcement was made at the War
Department today that Brigadier-Gen
eral Frederick Dent Grant, now 10 COM
msnd of the Department Of the East,
with headquarters at New York, would