Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1902 — MAKING LAWS AT WASHINGTON [ARTICLE]

MAKING LAWS AT WASHINGTON

The Record in Brief of Legislative Work in Senate and House. NEWS FROM THE CAPITAL Thursday, Janaary 16. With only one negative vote the isthmian canal commission decides to recommend the Panama instead of the Nicaragua route, and Congress is expected to acquiesce, the entire situation being changed by the French company’s 540.000,000 sale offer. President Roosevelt has consented to review the exceptions of Rear Admiral Schley to the findings of the court of inquiry before rendering his verdict on the case. Senate displays hostility to the proposed new department of commerce, and it will have to be radically amended. Belief exists that it would become unwieldy by absorbing too many bureaus. It Is pointed out that if the bill as reported became a law, it would create the greatest department of the government and that the secretary of commerce would have more power than even the secretary of the treasury. Notice of several important amendments was given. Republican members of the Senate Philippine committee vote to amend the House tariff bill by requiring Imports into the United States to pay only 75 per cent of the Dlngley duties. Prospects for an interoceanic canal growing less favorable because of the probable action of the isthmian commission in reversing its views. President made five appointments in Missouri antagonistic to National Committeeman Kerens. Split among the Republican leaders of Congress make it likely that no legislation granting tariff concessions to Cuba can be passed at this session. Representatives of beet sugar states said to have formed combine to defeat it. The bill for the recoinage of the silver coinage of Hawaii introduced by Representative Hill of Connecticut was favorably acted upon by the house committee on coinage, weights and measures. Some opposition was developed, the democratic members urging that the silver dollars should not lose their identity as such by being recoined into subsidiary coinage. The vote on the bill was 8 to 3, the democratic members voting in the negative. The bill as reported provides that all of the silver coins of Hawaii shall be received at par in payment of government dues to Hawaii or to the United States.

Friday, January 17. By a strictly partisan vote the Senate committee on commerce orders a favorable report upon Senator Frye’s ship subsidy bill. The report, prepared by Senator Frye, was read to the committee. It says that the purpose of the bill is to establish the maritime supremacy of the United States in trade with Asia and in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean; to establish thoroughly trade between the United States and South American republics, and to give the United States a respectable representation on the North Atlantic. The claim is made that all these results will be accomplished within ten years. The report also asserts that the bill will so extend shipbuilding as to transfer in time from abroad to the United States the center of that industry as the centers of other industries have recently been transferred, and also that it will give to the United States a measure of maritime independence corresponding to our industrial and agricultural independence. Bill providing for a national pure food commissioner will be introduced in both Senate and House by Illinois men. Owing to family opposition friends of President Harrison’s widow decide to abandon their effort to obtain a pension for her. Outlook for legislation on the Nicaragua Canal is discouraging because of the confusion that has been caused by those opposed to any legislation on the subject. Prince Henry’s visit will make it necessary for President Roosevelt to establish precedents in the etiquette of such occasions. House Committee on Election of President will report favorably on resolution to elect senators by popular vote. Strife in Congress over reciprocity with Cuba grows bitter and the President and Senate may clash with the House, with the possible result of reopening the entire tariff contest.