Page:Pacific Monthly volumes 9 and 10.djvu/81



THE MONTH

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principle, he concedes the demands of reciprocity, and of such readjustment as is necessary to meet the altering conditions, and advises the creation of a committee of "practical experts" to investig^ate and recommend whatever changes are necessary in the various schedules.

He concedes the right of labor tc organize as well as capital, but asserts that each must be restrained from "ar- bitrary or tyrannous interference with the rights of others.'* In this connec- tion he emphasizes the destructive ten- dency of class animosity.

Passing to matters of less immediate moment, he advocates the creation of a secretaryship of commerce, also the passage of the Newfoundland reci- procity treaty. He refers to the Isth- mian canal by the Panama route as an assured fact, and speaks with great gratification of the prosperous con- ditions prevailing in Porto Rico, and the final pacification of the Philippines. Regarding Cuba, he says that he hopes to submit to Congress at an early date a reciprocity treaty which will relieve the present difficult position in which this country is placed.

The maintenance of the army and navy at the highest point of efficiency is, he says, essential to our welfare, and the best guarantee of peace. He refers at some length to our happy relations with foreign countries, to the success of rural delivery, to the rapid settle- ment of Alaska, and to the beautifica- tion of the capital cit>' and the alter- ations in the White House.

The 57th Congress met <:oAtfr«ss December i, for its short

term. The first day's ses- sion of the Senate lasted only 12 min- utes, the adjournment being out of re- spect for the late Senator McMillan, of Michigan. The House also adjourned after a brief session, in recognition of the death of Representative Russel, of Connecticut. David B. Henderson pre- sided over the House, but for the last time, after a career of many years and great service. There is little doubt that Tiis place will be filled by Hon. Joseph

(}. Cannon, of Illinois, who seems to possess all the qualifications for that responsible post.

The budget of expenses for the next fiscal year calls for $590,000,000. This is $22,000,000 less than last year's ap- propriation.

But little of importance has been ac- complished so far. Much time is of ne- cessity consumed in preparation, ad- justment and preliminary routine work. Among the most important measures considered are the "omnibus statehood 1)111" which passed the House last ses- sion. It provides for the admission of Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma. It is being made a party measure, with the Democrats fav^oring and the Repub- licans (exceping Quay and a few oth- ers) opposing the measure.

Another bill of importance is the anti-trust bill introduced by Represen- tative Littlefield. It provides that every corporation or similar organiza- tion shall present a report to the Inter- state Commerce Commission, disclos- ing the complete history of the concern, the amount of stock, and conditions governing it, liabilities, assets, etc. A competent representative of the com- pany must be on hand to answer all questions of the Commission. Also a tax of I per cent, on all outstanding stock is imposed.

^^^^j The negotiations be-

Nerfotiatio»»tween the United States and Colombia have been seriously retarded by the perverse at- titude of Senor Concha, the Colombian minister, who has done everything in his power to hinder matters, taking ref- uge behind every conceivable techni- cality. Twice our government has ap- pealed directly to the Colombian gov- ernment, and now Senor Concha is out of a job. His place is filled by Dr. Herran, secretary of the legation, and everything is rimning as smoothly as can be. There was some suspicion that the delaying tactics were resorted to in order to postpone action until 1904, when the original concessions of the French Panama Company expire, in vvliich event Colombia might demand higher terms.