The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-04
House and Senate Will
Now Resume Business.
Some Forecasts That Have
Been Made About Action.
Funding Bill Relating to Pacific
Railroads Will Come Up.

Washington, Jan. 4.-Beyond the fact
that the bill providing for free home
steads on former Indian reservations
on the calendar is the unfinished bust
acss." the senate has no program for
this week.
There is liable 10 be a sharp clash OF
interests In the effort to secure consid-
Grafton and a possibility that this clash
may develop an interesting situation.
The friends OF the Pacific railroad re-
funding bill will make an effort to get
that measure up for consideration un-
less they conclude that in doing so they
may impair it's chances OF passage
Until the past day or two il appeared
certain that the Cuban resolutions
would be sprung Immediately after the
beginning OF business.
1t Is now possible. even probable. thai
both questions will go over, at least for
a few days. II the movement to have
the committee on foreign relations
again consider the question as TO when
Is shall be taken up prevails the ques-
ton cannot be raised until after the
committee meeting on Wednesday, ami
the advocates OF delay are becoming
quite sanguine that IL they succeed In
preventing consideration until Wednes-
day they will secure a still further
postponement.
Senator Gear. chairman of the Pa
cific railroad committee, is doubtful Of
the advisability OF pressing for the con-
sideration of his funding bill until after
the action of the house on the SAME
r.easure. and may wait upon that body.
Ii he does not delay on this account re
VIII make an effort TO get the bill up
or Tuesday, or Immediately after the
homestead bill be disposed Of.
II either the Pacific bill or the Cuban
resolution secure consideration there
will be sharp contest and much ami
mated debate.
The homestead bill will be opposed by
Senator Platt and others, while Sena-
tor Pettigrew Will take the lead in its
advocacy.
The house will get down to serious
business as soon a s Il reassembles after
the holiday recess on Tuesday. Prob
ably the two most important matters TO
he acted upon at the short session have
been made special orders, and will con-
sLme the entire week. They are the
Loud bill to amend the laws relating
to second-class mail matter so as TO
prevent the shipment Of books and
serial publications in connection with
newspapers at the ] cent per pound
rate. and to cut off the newspaper
sample copy privilege. and the bill pre-
pared by the Pacific railroad commit
tee TO fund the debts of the Pacific rail-
roads and extend their payment for
80 wears at per cent. The fund bill has
already been debated one day, and un-
der the order adopted the debate will
continue Tuesday and Wednesday. and
the bill will be brought to a vote on the
latter day at o'clock.
The Pacific railroad bill will be taken
UP on Thursday. The general debate
will continue until Friday evening. On
Saturday the bill will be open 10 amend
ment under the five-minute rule, and
on Monday the vote VIII be taken on the
bill and pending amendments. The fate
OF the measure will determine whether
the government will foreclose it's mort
cages on the Union and Central Pa
cinc. Both these roads have defaulted
and President Cleveland served notice
In so many words in his message to
congress that unless some congressional
action was taken Immediately steps
would be taken under the authority OF
the present law TO protect the govern
inent's interest by foreclosure proceed
ings.
The friends OF the roads realize fully
that this Is the last chance they VIII
have 10 accomplish the funding OF the
eebt for which they have striven for
10 years. and they will use all their in
fucnee' In it's behalf. But the bin has
a!ao many bitter enemies in the west
and the Pacific coast. Mr.. fowers or
Vermont, chairman of the committee.
will be its principal champion on the
floor, while Mr.. Sulger of New York and
Mr. Mcguire OF California will lead the
opposition. Both sides are now figuring
on a majority. and the fate of the bill
4. In grave doubt. The debate is ex-
lected TO be of very lively .ture and
there may be some sensational in
cidents.
stabbed Husband With shears.