Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-13
55th CONGRESS-.
Both Branches Will Adjourn,
Saturday, for the Holidays.
Senate Will Consider immigration
Question and Census Bill.
The House Expects Something Of a Fight Over
Civil Service Matters.

washington, Dec. 1.-THE work OF
the Senate, so far as it has been map
ped out for the week, includes the con-
sideratiOn Of the immigration bill
which stands on the calendar as the
unfinished business, the probable de-
bate of the census bill and the pro-
Representative Holman Of Indiana.
The general opinion among friends
Of the measure is that there will be nc
very strenuous opposition to the immi-
grafton bill and that it may be passel
after brief debate. When a similar
bill was before the Senate, last session
it had its principal opponent in Senator
Gibson of Maryland, and as he has re-
tired from the Senate. the friends OF
the bill are hopeful that no one will be
found who will feel called upon IL
champion the opposition.
They remember that when it was
necessary. in order to have the bill be-
come law, to pass it over the Presi-
dents veto. the two-thirds vote requi-
site for that purpose could not be Sc
cured. Hence. while they are hopeful
of the speedy and favorable considera-
ton of the bill. they realize the posi-
billity of delay on account Of opposing
speeches. There appears to be nu
reason to doubt that when the vote
shall be reached the bill will pass.
By special arrangements between Sena.
tors Carter and Lodge. in charge respect.
lively of the two bills, the immigration bill
will be temporarily displaced, Tuesday
in order to give Mr.. Carter an oppor.
tunity to call up the bill privilege for the
next census. When this agreement was
made. last Thursday. Senator Carter ex.
pressed the opinion that very brief debate
would be necessary to get the bill
through. but there are now some indica-
lions that the civil service question will
be raised in this connection. and if i,
should. prolonged debate may be inau-
gurated.
The friends of annexation on the COM
mittee on foreign relations are now eX-
pecting to ask the Senate to take up the
treaty during the week. though quite well
aware of the impossibility of securing
final action before the holidays. They are
decided also on taking the treaty up as
such instead of attempting to secure leg
islation on a joint resolution. They may
postpone their request for consideration
until January.
The Senate leaders express themselves
as agreeable to the House programme for
adjournment for the holidays on Satur-
day. The Senate eulogies upon the late
Representative Holman will be delivered
on Friday.
The week in the House promises to be
made memorable by the formal Inaugural
ton of the war against civil service law
The legislative, executive and judicial APP
preparation bill which will be taken up
Tuesday. contains the regular appropria-
lions for the civil service commission
and whether or not all the members who
favor the repeal or modification of the
law unite to strike down the provision
for its maintenance as the quickest and
most direct method of Gripping it's opera
ton. undoubtedly some will advocate this
course and the whole civil service ques-
ton will be dragged into the arena of de-
bate.
How long this debate will last it is i'm
possible to predict. but as this is the only
item in the bill which attracts much of
contest, Chairman Cannon hopes and
believes the bill can be passed before Sat
urday. This latter day, under an order
made, Thursday, has been set aside for
paying tribute to the memory of the late
Representative Cook of Illinois.
Tomorrow. Chairman Hit of the for
to secure the passage of the bill to pre-
vent pelagic sealing by citizens of the
United States. There is some very strong
opposition to the passage of this meas
ure in its present form and the whole
question of the Behring sea negotiations
Mr. Hopkins of Illinois, and other MEM
bers favor a limitation on the period of
operation of the act, if it should ne
passed, so that, if Great Britain should
refuse to similarity restrict her citizens
our citizens may not be placed at a dis.
North Dakota. think the extinguishnent
Of the seal herds in the near future is GER
tain and are not disposed to favor any
legislation looking to the preservation.