Evening journal., 1895-02-23
SENATE MAY SIT SUNDAY
An Effort to Force the Railroad
Pooling Bill Through.
OPPONENTS WILL FIGHT IT HARD


The Democratic Steering Committee In
tends to Havc the Bin Taken Up This
Afternoon and Fought out-Senator Pet
tigrew's Threat.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a. Tho Democratic
steering committee Of the senate. after
many postponements, held q meeting and
decided to recommend to the lenate that
Senator Butler should be permitted to
move at o'clock this afternoon for the
consideration OF the pooling bill that this
bill should continue to be the unfinished
business until 12 o'clock Monday. and that
If it should not be disposed OF by that
time it should give place to other business.
The understanding created great inter
est among the opponents Of the bill as soon
as it became known and they Immediate
ly began their propositions TO antagonize
not only the bill itself, but, if possible, to
prevent its being taken up. The pro-
glainne was Immediately construed into
decision to hold Sunday session, and
this fact was made the most Of by those Of
the senators who oppose the bill.
The advocates of the bill did not admit
in 50 many words that their purpose in
fessed that If they should succeed in get
ting the bill up they would use their ut
most endeavors to have it voted upon be-
fore the expiration Of the time set for its
consideration
As this time would include only about
three hours Of the Saturday session and
one hour of the Monday session, they
would necessarily have very limited time
for the bill without either a night or n
Sunday session.
Senator Buffers Plan.
When Senator Butler who. as chair
man Of the interstate commerce commits
sion, will have charge of the bill in the
senate was asked what his purpose was
as to Sunday session, he said he did not
want to be quoted as saying anything that
could be construed into threat, and that
he would only say that he would use his
best endeavors to get the bill before the
senate, and that if he should succeed in
that he would continue his exertions in its
behalf until a vote could be reached.
He said he felt confident of the success
of the bill in case a vote could be reached.
and he believed a clear majority would be
shown on the vote for consideration
While Senator Butler would name no fig
ures, it is understood that other friends Of
the bill claim that a final vote would show
that two-thirds Of the members Of the SEN
ate favor It,
The opponents Of the bill concede that
If vote should be reached it would pass,
but they are determined in the declara-
ton that it shall not reach the point when
the test Of its strength shall be made.
The tactics which they win pursue were
foreshadowed in Senator Pcttigrewis brief
statement in the senate just prior to adj
journment.
The feeling is such as to make it clear
that there will be a very sharp clash when
the effort is made TO take the bill up and
the indications are for period Of most
decided parliamentary sparring against
the measure. which will probably be led
by Senator German on the Democratic side
and by Senators Chandler and Aldrieh
among the Republicans.
In Senate and House.
AS the session Of the senate was about
TO close Mr.. Pettigrew Of South Dakota
gave a decidedly interesting turn to the
otherwise tedious debate on the Indian
appropriation bill. It has been discussed
for several days, and Mr.. Call, in charge
of the measure, sought to secure an agree
ment for final vote today There were
ono from Mr.. Pettigrew, which was en-
phasized by the brief but pointed state
ment he made.
1t was In the nature of a disclosure that
a private arrangement had been reached
among the senators whereby the pooling
bill would be taken up at o'clock this
afternoon and held before the senate day
and night and over Sunday until passed.
The statement came so unexpectedly
and was the sequel to such active work
throughout the day by the friends Of the
pooling bill that il created something Of a
sensation among the senators and specta-
tors. Mr.. Pettigrew added to his an
nouncemont that he would take effective
steps to defeat the passage of the pooling
bill by Objecting to the disposal Of the In
dian appropriation bills or other measures
having precedence
The contract school item Of the Indian
bill was completed in such form as to
provide a 20 per cent reduction from the
expenditures of last year. Mr.. Morgan OF
Alabama spoke throughout the afternoon
in favor of judicial system for the In
dian Territory, but his amendment to that
effect was finally rnled out Of order.
The house devoted the day to the fur
thor consideration OF the general deflcien-
cy appropriation bill. Most Of the time
was spent in the discussion Of questions OF
minor Importance relating to extra com
pensation for employees Of the house Of
representatives, and no amendments were
adopted just before adjournment the
senate resolution to postpone the time
when the new regulations to prevent col
lisions at sea should 90 into force was
passed.