The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-14
AN EARLY RECESS
Lodge immigration Bill
Has Right Of Way.
Senator Gibson of Maryland
Opposed to the Bill.
TIE Indications Are That Congress Will Take
an Early Adjournment.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE Lodge I'm
migration bill, as the unfinished busi-
ness" will have the right of way in the
senate each day after o'clock until dis
posed OF, and the friends of the measure
have announced their determination not
to cease their labors in It's behalf until
a vote shall be secured upon IT. 1t Is
impossible to say how much time will
be required on the bill but Senator Lodge
Is hopeful that he will get Ii through this
week.
Senator Gibson OF Maryland has an
nounced his purpose TO talk I'm opposi-
tion to the bill. but he declines to state
whether he will resort TO other tactics
to defeat it, Those who oppose. concede
that the bill will pass IL 1t should reach a
vote.
After the immigration bill comes that
providing for free homesteads on lands
formerly occupied by Indians as reser-
vations. The present homestead law
does not apply to these lands, and 1t is
claimed that the fact that 1t does not
has cost many settlers their homestead
rights. The question is a vital one in
many portions of the west. and has been
particularly prominent In Oklahoma.
Senator Pettigrew Is the especial cham
pion of the bill and he will show that IL
was endorsed by the national conven-
tions of all the parties last summer. The
bill will be vigorously opposed, as II is
claimed that its enactment into law
would cost the government no less than
S25, 600, 900.
II Is probable that these two measures
will consume the greater part Of the
time Of the senate this week, and II is
quite possible that they may not be dis
posed of. The bill providing for the elec-
ton of the senators by the direct vote of
the people Is a special order for today,
but it may go over to a future date.
Senator Allen of Nebraska probably
Will occupy the floor for short time to-
day in a speech on his resolutions con-
cerning the validity of contracts. He is
( expected to say something in this speech
about the policy of western states which
have elected Populist state adminstra-
tions, and to pay his respects to some OF
the critics of those states. The Nebraska
senator is also likely to call up the Ding
ley bill at any time.
1t has not yet been decided when the
holiday recess shall begin. but at the
| conference Of the Republican members
OF the ways and means committee a
! date as early as Friday of this week was
| suggested. 1t is more probable how
| ever that the recess will begin about
| Wednesday of next week. and continue
until the Monday after New Year.
This week except today, which is Dis
| trict of Columbia day, and an hour OF
| Tuesday. which has been set aside for
| the consideration of the bill to transfer
the present rights of the Atlantic and
Pacific railroad under its government
charter to the mortgages when they re-
organize, will be devoted to the consid-
GRAFTON of the army and legislative ap-
preparation bills. The former is com
| pleted. and the latter will be put in final
shape today.
|! 1t is the expectation OF the leaders
that both these bills can be passed be-
| fore the recess. Should any time remain.
| 1t will probably be given to the commit
tees to call up such bills as they have on
the calendar.