Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-02-22
" ASHINGTON ITEMS.
The Passage of the Territorial Adj
mission Bill.
WILL 1T BECOME A LAW2
Inference of Opinion as to Whether Pres
ldent Cleveland win sign II or Not.
The Direct Tax Measure APP
proved by Both Houses.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2o-The bill for the
admission of the four new states has been APP
proved by both houses Ii was the purpose
of those who managed it to have it sent TO
the president within the ten day limit of the
close of the congress, SO that it could not en-
counter pocket veto. 1t is the purpose Of
the delegation from Dakota which has spent
the winter here in the interests of this bin 70
call upon the president in a body in the hope
that the executive win take advantage of the
anniversary of Washington's birth 70 sign the
bill in their presence.
The postponement of tile time for the elec-
tion of congressman in the new states until
the first Tuesday in October may have an
important bearing upon the call for an extra
session. Those who are opposed to an extra
session will insist that it viii be inexpedient
to attempt to organize the house and to enter
upon the transaction of important business
with scanty majority, when il Is pretty
certain that by the election in these new
states the Republican membership win be
increased by four members, If not by five.
On the other hand, those who are insisting
upon the necessity OF an extra session main
tain that the fact that five new members are
i
not remove the risks attending a narrow ma
jority before that time, and that it might
happen that there would be some delay in
organizing the new states or in obtaining adj
mission for the new members.
In other words many of the most pronin-
ent Republicans insist that it is necessary for
the Republicans to organize the house at the
earliest possible opportunity, 80 as to provide
against the hazard of the loss of the organiza-
tion by death.
Representative Macdonald, of Minnesota, a
leading Democrat, says that the president
will sign the Dakota bill. He also says there
can be no doubt that the four new states will
be Republican, and that thus the Republican
majority in the senate will be increased by
eight and in the house by five. Other MEM
bers say they think the president viii not sign
the bill.
THE DIRECT TAX BILL
The direct tax bill, the conference report
On which was agreed to by both houses OF
s)ngress, was on its way to President Cleve-
| land for his consideration within five minutes
after it had been signed by President pro
tenn Ingalls,, and was delivered at the White
House
The fate Of the bill is subject Of general
interest, in view of the rum)r that the presi-
dent has the intention of killing the bill by
means of a pocket veto, that is, withholding
his signature. in which event it is assumed
that the adjournment of congress at noon
March would prevent it from becoming q
law. The language of the constitution on
this point is as follows:
If any bill shall not be returned by the presi-
dent within ten days Sundays excepted) aft3T II
shall have been presented to him. the same sha
be a law, i'm like manner as If he had signed
vent its return. in which case it shall not be
| law. Cart. /, Sec. -
The question arises, ''Will the presider
have ten days in which TO consider the bill
And upon this there is considerable variance
of opinion.