The morning call., 1892-12-19
THE CANAL BILL.
Representative Bynum to
Oppose 1t.
PREPARING TO FILTBUSTER
Little Chance of Congress Accomplish
ing Any Legislation Before the I.
Recess-The Drain of Gold.
special to THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 1S-The opposition
to the Nicaragua canal bill is likely to come
very strongly from the Democratic men,
bers from indiana. who seem to make it a
rule to oppose everything OF a progressive
character in the way of legislation. Bynum
is opposed to 1t and Is ready to practice all
the arts of the filibuster, of which he is
perfect master, to prevent its massage. He
is said to have declared that. If necessary.
he will block the business of the House so
that the ordinary appro priation bill cannot
be passed before the 4th of March. This
bill has not yet come before the House, but
it is likely to soon after the recess.
Many Southern members who realize
what the immense value of such a canal
would be are in favor of the enterprise
being backed by the Government. Repre-
sentative Catehngs of Mississippi Is reck-
oDed among It's friends, and in case the bill
should come into the House 1t is thought
there will be little difficulty In having a
special order made for its consideration.
Mr.. Catchings Is a member OF the Com
mttee On Rules, and his vote, with those of
Mr.. Burrows and Mr.. Reed, two Republi-
can members OF tie committee, would be
sufficient the report the rule, even If
Speaker Crisp and Representative McMil-
lin should be opposed TO the measure.
Representative Bynum rests his OBJ
lection on the time-hOnoTed doubt as TO the
constitutionalily Of the bill. 1t has been
limited that the filibuster against this bill,
or any measure by which some OF the ap-
preparation bills may he kept back, will be
assisted by those who are anxious for an
extra session of the next Congress. The
failure OF any OF the regular appropriation
bills would require an extra session to make
good the deficiencies. This plan or idea is
very far fetched. and it is scarcely thought
probable that ii will be resorted to BY even
the most desperate advocates of an extra
session.
with the approach of the holidays, the at
tendance in both Houses of Congress is
steadily diminishing. and ii is doubtful
whether n quorum can be maintained in
either House during the few days remaining
before the Christmas exodus begins. This
state Of affairs negatives the possibility of
action on any subject Of large popular in
terest. In the Senate durir g the morning
hour Of Tuesday the MeGarrahan bill will
be further discussed. The anti-optjon bin
still hangs over the heads Of the Senators as
unfinished business. and will come up for
further discussion after the morning hour
before the recess but 1t is not expected that
a vote can be reached in that time.
Tomorrow in the House is suspension
day and an opportunity will be given each
committee 10 pass one pill, provided il can
secure tw o-thirds' vote end escape the point
of mo quorum" by even one member. The
temper OF the House is not favorable to the
Increase Of the private obligations of the
Government, and It is doubtful If any pen
sion or claims bill Of much importance can
get through. Tuesday is set for the special
order for bills from the Committee on Pub
lie Lands, and Wednesday is similarly
allotted 10 the Commerce Committee.
Thursday is chiefly set apart for adjourning
over the Christmas recess. and apparently
will not be otherwise noteworthy.
After the holidays the appropriation bills
will begin to monopolize the time of the
House.
Representative Owen Scott OF Illinois Is
collecting facts and figures. and will imme-
diately after the holidays request the
Ways and Means Committee to accord him
hearing on the bill increasing the internal
revenue tax on whisky. Thus far tie COM
mittee has given no indication Of its attitude
toward the measure, but il attracts so much
attention throughout the country that Scot.
expects considerable cooperation in press
ing 1t upon the attention of all those de-
string a speedy means of increasing the
Federal revenues.
The bin increases the tax on distilled
spirits from 90 cents to 81 25 per gallon.
The present tax on whisky produces about
10000, 600 annually. The increase proposed
in the bill will give almost 40 per cent more
revenues. or total Of about Sl25. .O00 O0O for
distilled spirits alone. This will partially
supply the loss of revenue by the sugar
schedule Of the Mckinley bill.
Representative Watson Of Georgia said
to-day that lie intended to contest the elec-
ton Of Mr. Black in his district. ON account
of illegal voting.
Among the fourth-elass postoffiees to be
raised to the Presidential class On January
!. 1693 is that at Lodi, California.