The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-12-10
FORECAST o.. CONGRESS.
SOME OF THE IMPORTANT MEAS.
URES FOR CONSIDERATION.
Fortt tfcatiOn of Panama Canal VIII
Divide Parties-ReductiOn Of Let
ter Postage and Establishment of
Parcels POst-Express Monopoly
wall Fight Hard-The Future Of
Teddy Roosevelt.

Parcels POSt--ExpreSS Monopoly
wall Fight Hard-The Future Of
Teddy Roosevelt.
Washington, Dec. 5.-After a re-
cess and an election eventul in Ameri-
can politics, the national legisla-
ture Is again in session in Washing
ton. 1t will be a full year, however,
before the result Of the recent cleo
tions can be fully felt in legislation,
and by that time there may be such
| changes In commercial industrial and
political conditions that the intention
| of the voters as expressed few
weeks ago will be modified or in
some instances nullified. 1t Is an un-
| fortunate condition that twelve
| months must elapse and a session Of
Congress intervene before the will of
the country as expressed at the polls
| can be carried into effect,
and when it is remembered
that this condition is fixed
in the Constitution, that fetish of the
IAmer,onr- lawyer and, statesman. it is
difficult to see how reform can be
effected
1t is expected that the present ses-
sion will address itself to routine
business the passage of appropri-
alton bills and necessary non-politi-
cal measures. The Presidents proc
lamation has recommended as a mat
ter Of course important new legisla-
ton, but there is little prospect of its
being carried out. Nothing much will
be done until after the Christmas
holidays, and then barely two months
| main before this Congress- on the 4th
| of March. will be ex-officio, and, as
has been said the new Congress Just
elected to do and undo so much will
not have it's chance for twelve
months.
Among the measures that will sure
ly have a hearing in the discus sions
| under the appropriations bills will
be the subject Of the fortification Of
the Panama Canal and there will be
| confusion Of party lines in the de-
bate on this question. Some Repub-
licans and some Democrats will op-
pose the military program proposed
by the President while other Repub-
licans and Democrats will approve It.
Mr.. Tawney, Chairman Of the Appro-
priatiOns Committee, who failed Of
| reelection, will urge that the Canal
| shall be made a free waterway, un-
| guarded by fortresses or cannon.
while those Of the Roosevelt and Taft
| school OF politics will insist that a
property consisting nearly half a
billion OF dollars and essential to the
defense Of our extensive western coast
line shall not be left without ade-
quate military protection, always. of
| course, lin the interest OF peace" as
] Mr.. Roosevelt would express it.
There Is much comment in Wash
| ington with regard to the almost op-
pressive silence Of Mr.. Roosevelt since
| the election. He has completely dis
appeared from the political frma-
| ment, and now instead OF headlines
| and columns on the first page of the
daily papers, there is not even a Lara
graph or caricature. The explan1-
| ton Is that he has probably give a
| tip to his friends, the reporters and
| caricaturists (for between hff and
them there has been n loyalty mutual
! and ideaD that they shall give him an
| indefinite term OF exclusive privacy,
| 1t would not be bad for Mr.. Roose-
| velt's political future II he should let
ms beard grown, take the Canadian
| route to Van Couver, sail on the EX-
press Of India line OF Yokahoma
| and spend the next two years in
| Japan, China, the Philippines, Java.
| Straits settlements and India, return
| ing to this county in time to mix In
| the next Presidential election. either
as principal or assistant. Travel. OBJ
servation and meditation will be