The herald., 1896-12-14
Lodges immigration Bill Has
Right of Way
THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION
But the Bill Will Pass If q Vote Is
Taken
Members Already Figuring on the Date
of the Holiday Recess-Appropria-
tions Promptly Attended To.
Aasociated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The Lodge
immigration bill, as 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 its behalf until
vote shall be secured upon it. 1t is i'm
possible to say how much time will be
required on the bill, but Senator Lodge
is hopeful that he will get it through
this week.
Senator Gibson of Maryland has an
nounced his purpose to talk in opposi-
ton to the bill, but he declines to state
whether he will resort to other tactics to
defeat it. Those who oppose it concede
that the bill will pass if it should reach
a vote.
After the immigration bill comes that
providing for free homestead lands for
merly occupied by Indians as reserva-
tions. The present homestead law does
not apply to these lands, and it is claimed
that the fact that it does not has cost
many settlers their homestead rights
The question is vital one in many por-
tions of the west, and has been particu-
larly prominent in Oklahoma.
Senator Pettigrew is the especial
champion Of the bill, and ne VIII snow
that it was endorsed by all the natior u
conventions last summer. The bill! VIII
be vigorously opposed. as 1t is cialmed
that it's enactment into law would cost
the government no less than 2o,00O,0U0.
1t is probable these two measures VIII
consume the greater part OF the time OF
the senate this week, and 1t Is quite pos
~fH q diSD0Sed
The bill providing for the election OF
senators by the direct vote of the peo-
pie is a special order for Monday, but 1t
may go over to future date.
Senator Allen of Nebraska Will proo-
ably occupy the floor for short time to-
morrow in a speech on his resolution
concerning the validity of contracts. he
is expected to say something in this
speech about the policy of western
states which have elected Populist state
administrations, and to pay his respects
to some Of the critics of those states.
The Nebraska senator Is also likely to
call up the Dngley bill at any time.
There is a possibility that congress
may, on Thursday or Friday, adjourn
over until after the holidays. The Gu
ban question may furnish a topic for a
sensation at any time.
1t has not yet been decided when the
holiday recess shall begin, but yesterday
at the conference of the Republican
members of the ways and means COM
mittee date as early as Friday OF this
week was suggested 1t is probable,
however, that the recess will begin about
Wednesday of next week. and continue
until the Monday after next New Year.
This week, except tomorrow, which has
been set aside for the consideration of
the bill to transfer the present right of
the Atlantic and Pacific railroad. under
it's government charter, to the mort
gagees when they reorganize, Will be
devoted to the consideration OF the
army and legislative appropriation bills.
The former is completed and the latter
will be put in final shape tomorrow. 1t
is the expectation of the leaders that
both these bills can be passed before the
recess. Should any time remain 1t will
probably be given to the committees to
call up such bills as they have on the
calendar
President Cleveland left Washington
this evening on a shooting trip in South
Carolina waters. He was accompanied
by Captain r. D. Evans, Commander
Lamberton and DIR. O'Reilly, his physi-
clan. The president is considerably
fatigued from the labor involved in the
preparation of his message, and is in
need of recuperation, so it is probable
that he will be absent from Washington
at least week. The party started by
rail for Georgetown. S. c.. where they
will board the lighthouse tender Wis
teria and proceed to Winyah bay where
they will be the guests of the Annandale
Shooting club.