The herald., 1896-12-27

middle of the night, put Oh his dressing
gown and went TO the door. There stood
81 boy with a telegram. out In Illinois
the congregation OF a church had he Id
Il meeting and taken action on the Gu
ban question. The telegram read:
"Hurrah for Cuba and your noble
speech" Senator Cullom is a friend of
Cuba and certainly did himself proud in
his last speech, but while he likes COM
pliments, he objects to receiving them II
o'clock in the morning 1t is said that
the language used by the senator as he
ascended the stairs to his room would
not look we'll in print-not even in a
Cuban speech.
THE FUNDING BILL.
The funding BILL which puts off Hunt
ington's evil day some fifty years--the
day upon which his heirs, administrat-
ors or assigns will be compelled to lIqui-
date with the government-is causing
much comment. At the late Republican
caucus, held in the marble room of the
senate, the measure was discussed, and
l am reliably informed that there were
very few who showed antagonism to 1t.
This shows decided change of senti-
ment since last session. Senator Gear.
the chairman of the senate committee
on railroads, is very enthusiastic in his
advocacy of the bill, and desires very
much indeed to pass the same this ses-
sion. l have had information from very
reliable sources to the effect that the
bill would pass and pass soon. On the
contrary, there are those who insist that
IL it be called up they will talk it to
DEATH" One senator remarked the other
day that he was prepared to talk a
whole year, and he insisted that the
measure would not become law this
year or next. Once senator obtains the
floor he can talk and talk and talk on
any subject, no matter how foreign the
question at issue, go long as nature holds
out. Interruptions are allowed only
upon request. This being the case it is
easy to understand how senator single
handed can tie up any measure for an
indefinite period. Be this as it may,
there is considerable activity in the SEN
ate and house (and 1 might add, in the
third house, also) regarding the matter
The bill comes up in the house on the
7th of January and four days only have
been allotted to its consideration. When
the vote Is taken, it Is my opinion that
1t will be found that the bill has passed
and from the house it will be sent to the
senate and Immediately taken up there
Senators White and Perkins and Con-
gressman Mcguire can be relied upon fo
fight the measure, as in the past, but III
the senate the opposition will be small
/ can think Of but five or six senators
who have openly avowed their intention
of fighting it. and in the house-well. the
bill is something of a favorite over there
and will pass with a rush. A body thai
could pass an Appropriation bill carry
ing over $40, ,000, 900 in forty-five minutes
ut required but that length of time las
session to pass the river and harbor Dill
will not make much work Of the funding
bill.
THE MINERAL LANDS BILL.
The mineral lands bill, which provides
for the examination and classification
of certain lands in California, was In
troduced in the house January u, 1896
and was referred to the committee or
public lands. On February IL, 1886, tn
measure passed the house and went i'm
mediately to the senate committee 0l
public lands, Senator Dubois chairman
Several amendments were made IN tina
committee and the bill as amended pass
ed the senate May 5, 1896. Senators Du
bois, Pettigrew and Pascoe were ap
pointed conferees on the part of the sen
ate. Mr.. Ellis (Oregon) a member o
the house committee, reported to thu
house that the committee recommends
, that the house do not concur in the sen
ate amendments, and asked for con
! ference committee to confer with th
, conferees already selected by the sen
ate. Nothing further has been done Il
the matter. 1t will be taken up few
days after recess, and will undoubtedi,