The herald., 1896-02-03
The Senate Has No Program
Laid Out
THE REVENUE TARIFF BILL
May be Ready for Consideration on
Tuesday
Ambassador Bayard's Case and the Free Coin-
age Amendment Will Occupy the
fiouse-Work In Committee
Associated Press special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The senate has
no well-def1ned plan for this weeks pro-
ceedings. There will be no session on Mon-
day. 1t is possible, though by no means
certain, that the finance committee will be
able to report the revenue tariff bill on
Tuesday, the matter still depending upon
Senator Jones of Nevada. If the bill
should be reported there will probably be
some desultory speechmaking based upon
1t, but the consideration of the measure
would scarcely be seriously begun this
week, even though a report should be Sc
cured as promptly as is hoped by the
friends of the bill. The commit
tee on appropriations will claim
good share of the time the
senate will be in session. The urgent def
cheney appropriation bill has been reported
and the military academy and pension bills
will be put in early in the week. None of
these will excite any prolonged debate, and
1t is altogether probable that all will be
disposed of before the week closes. The
Cuban and Monroe doctrine resolutions are
also on the calendar and can be taken up
At any time. There is more or less execu- e;
tive business to claim attention, and The
general calendar has been growing rapidly
as the result of committee work, while the
silver bond bill has been claiming the at
tention of the senate. Under these circum-
stances the week bids fair to be one of di-
versified interest. with no one topic claim
ing attention.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The important
features of the weeks proceedings in the
house will be in connection with the reso-
I..ks> b. .t,u1 nrd
adopted by the foreign affairs committee
yesterday, and the senate free coinage
substitute for the house bond bill. The
measure censuring Mr.. Bayard will prob.
ably excite a contest on the floor, but will
doubtless be adopted when it reaches a
for the house bond bill is returned to the
house tomorrow an effort will be made by
the silver men to concur in the substitute.
Such an attempt would, of course. be de-
feated, al the majority against silver in
the lower branch of congress- is over
whelming, but it might be made in order
to put the members on record. The bill,
according to present program. will he i'm
mediately referred to the ways and means
committee and reported back with recon-
mendation that the senate substitute be
non-concurred in, which in parliamentary
sists upon its bill. 1t would then remain
for the senate, which will also insist on its
bill, TO require o conference. 1t is there
that some members at each end of the
capital hope to effect compromise, but
the prevailing opinion is that the bill will
die in conference. The week, except the
portion devoted to the bond bill and the
Bayard resolution. will be given up TO a
continuation of the work on the appro.
priation bills.
The district Of Columbia bill is still
under consideration. The agriculture and
L. ~Ar.1 Il h
Indian bill is almost ready. They will
probably be taken up in the order named.
COMMITTEE WORK
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The special sub.
committee on tho Nicaraeuan canal of the
been delaying for some weeks the begin
ming of its work that President Cleveland
might furnish congress the report of the
committee which visited the isthmus last
summer, has concluded to wait no longer
and tomorrow will begin to draft o bill
The chairman, Mr.. Hepburn of the COM
merce committee, selected seventy-five
members to compose the subcommittee
about three weeks ago. These gentlemen
desired to have in hand all possible in
formation on the project before they recon-
rnended any plan to the house for con-
structing the canal; moreover. they thought
their action mirht be construed into dis
should proceed Independently of the views
of the commission or should seem TO ig-
more the commission. 1t Is understood.
however, that President Cleveland has
been unable to find any time for studying
the various phases, International ,engiueer.
ing and financial, which the canal project
involves, because of the other matters of
dominant importance, notably the Vene-
suelan boundary and the maintenance of
the gold reserve, which have been con-
stantly before him since this congress
met. That is the report brought from the
White House by members who have spoken
with the president, urging him to use his
influence in aiding the movement for gov
ernment control OF the canal.
In view of the probability that congress
will reach an early adjournment, about the
first of June, the committee fears to delay
its undertaking longer. No forecast Of the
probable lines Of the canal bill can be had
from the seven members Of the commit
tee, as they soy there has been no discus
sion yet except OF tentative sort, but they
believe that the plans which were before
congress can be improved upon. They be-
ieve that they will be able to report to the
house within q month. IL, in the mean
time, the president furnishes the report of
the commission, that will be given due con-
sideration. Mr.. Sherman of New York
chairman Of the subcommittee, and Mr.
Doolittle of Washington, its second mem
canal. The congressional contingent from
''he Pacific slope is enthusiastic for
the canal and Pacific cable to the
Hawaiian islands and Japan. The only
stumbling block which they Gun see is the
opposition OF Reed and other Republican
leaders to increased appropriation OH ac-
count of the condition of the treasury,
Which has been demonstrated in al the ap-
preparation bills reported up 10 date and in
the work of tho committees on public
buildings and rivers and harbors.
Mr.. Doolittle thinks that this policy cay-
not apply against an agreement by the
government to guarantee the bonds of the
canal company.
The house committee on territories will
vote next Monday Oh the bills providing
enabling acts for the admission of the ter
ri'ories of Arizona and New Mexico to the
union.
GERMAN POLITICS
This Question of Naval Improvement Leads
to Numerous Complications