Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1896-12-14
CONGRESS PREPARES FOR THE
WINTER HOLIDAYS.
THE LODGE IMMIGRATION BILL.
1T WILL HAVE RIGHT OF WAY IN
THE SENATE.
Other Favored Measures-President
Goes Huntfng-sIissOuri Colony
Interested in the st. Joseph
Postmastership-Top
Pension Agency.

! Washington, Dec. 13.-The Lodge immi-
! grafton bill. as the unfinished business" ."
viii have the right of way in the senate
| each day after 2 o'clock until disposed of
and the friends of the measure have an
/ ncunced their determination not to cease
their labors in its behalf until a vote
| shall be secured upon 1t. 1t is impossible
! II 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
ncUpced his purpose to talk in opposition
to the bill, but he declines to state wneth-
er 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 homesteads on lands
formerly 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 a vital one in many portions
of the West and has been particularly
| prominent in Oklahoma.
Bill VIII Be Opposed.
Senator Pettigrew is the especial cham
pion of the bill, and he will show that it
! was indorsed by the national conventions
of all the parties last summer The bill will
be vigorously opposed, as it is claimed that
its enactment into law would cost the gov
ernment no less than $25, 600, 900.
/ 1t is probable that these two measures
will consume the greater part of the time
| of the senate this week, and it is quite pos
sible that they may not be disposed of.
The hill nrONi1iDp for the aleptiOO Of
ators by the direct vote of the people is
special order for Monday, but it may go
over to future date.
Senator Allen, of Nebraska probably will
occupy the floor for a short time tomorrow
in 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 elect
ed Populist state administrations and to
pay his respects to some of the critics of
those states. The Nebraska senator is al
so likely to call up the Dingley bill at any
time.
There is a possibility that congress may,
on Thursday or Friday; adjourn over until
after the holidays. The Cuban question
may furnish topic for sensation at any
time.
The Holiday Recess.
It has not yet been decided when the
holiday recess shall begin. but yesterday
dL Tue COul6TeuCe OIL lIle hSpuDIlCdn Ilenl-
bers of the ways and means committee
date as early as Friday of this week was
suggested. 1t is even probable, however,
that the recess will begin about Wednes-
day of next week and continue until the
Monday after the first of next year. This
week, except tomorrow, which is District
of Columbia day, and an hour of Tuesday,
which has been set aside for the oonsidera-
tion of the bill to transfer the present
right of Atlantic G. Pacific railroad under
its government charter to the mortgage
ees when they re-organiZe will be devoted
to the consideration of the army and legis-
lative 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 it will probably be given to the
committees to call up such bills as they
have on the calendar.
President Goes Shooting.
President Cleveland left Washington
last evening for a shooting trip in South
Carolina waters. He was accompanied by
Captain r. D. Evans, Commander Lamber-
ton and DR.. O'Reilly his physician. The
president is considerably fatigued from the
labor involved in the preparation of his
message and is in need of recuperation, so
1t is probable that he will absent himself
from Washington at least week. The
party started by rail for Georgetown, S. c.,
where they will board the lighthouse ten
der Wistoria and proceed to Winyap bay,
where they will be the guests of the An-