The San Francisco call., 1897-01-25
IMPORT TANT WORK
BEFORE CONGRESS
Coming Week Expected to
Be a Lively One in
the Senate.
Arbitration Treaty, Nicaraguan
Bill land Cameron Resolution
Set for Discussion.
Turpie VIII Speak on the Indspend.
e1ce of Congress and Arrogance
of the Administration.

WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. 24.-The
arbitration treaty, the Nicaragua canal
and the insurrection in Cuba will be
again discussed in the Senate during the
coming week. Senator Turpie OF Indiana
will open the Cuban debate tomorrow,
ostensibly on Senator Cameron's resolu-
ton recognizing the independence of the
Cuban republic. Mr.. Turpie will devote a
considerable portion of his time, how
ever, as has been said, to a consideration
of the subject of the independence of Con-
gress, with such incidental structures on
the manifesto of Secretary Olney as may
occur to plain, outspoken man who be-
lieves the executive department has over
stepped its proper function in seeking to
intimidate the Senate by the threat of the
veto power and the predicted defiance OF
contemplated legislation. Mr.. Turpie' s
penchant for sarcastic comments and his
failure to conform to the polite language
of diplomacy in attacking policies that he
believes to be wrong lead to the belief
that his speech may be piquant readiug.
The condition of the Nicaragua canal
bill is peculiar. 1t is still the unfinished
business. Senator Morgan, who has given
the subject careful consideration, says the
bill is drawn so as to come within the
terms of the concession granted by Mica
ragua, and he denies that the letter of
Minister Rodriguez has any weight what
ever He will antagonize motion to send
the bill back to the committee if any is
made and insist upon the vote on the bill
being taken. The debate in the Senate
will probably be protracted until the Mica
raguan correspondence called for by Mr..
Morgan's resolution, adopted Saturday, is
received. Meanwhile the Rodriguez let
ter will have an important bearing upon
the general treaty of arbitration which
will be taken up by the committee in
special session tomorrow. Friends of the
Isthmus canal will antagonize final action
on the treaty until something definite is
done on the canal bill.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Turpie's
speech to- morrow. the Senate will listen
to eulogies on the late ex-Speaker Crisp.
The bankruptcy bill. which was on the
special order for 2 o'clock, will in all prob
ability be postponed few days.
The bill to provide for the representa-
ton of the United States by Commission
ers at any international monetary confer
! ence hereafter to be caIled-the Wolcott
! biil-will be considered Tuesday after the
| morning business.
Less than six weeks of the present ses-
sion of Congress remain, and this fact has
| impressed upon the managers of the
House the necessity of more vigorously
pushing the appropriation bills yet re-
naming to be considered.
1t was stated yesterday by member of
the Committee on Rules that the agricul-
ture and Indian bills now on the calendar
would be the principal business on the
programme this week These bills,
| although carrying comparatively small
| sums, usually give rise to more debates
than others on the list.
The seed distribution provided for in
the agricultural bill is sure to evoke criti-
cisms, and the Indian question can be re-
lied upon to occupy day or more of the
time of the House. The Indian bill fur
ther contains the provisions of the bill
reported two or three weeks ago, to aboI-
ish the officers of Indian Commissioner
and Assistant Indian Commissioner and
confer their duties on board of commits
| sioners. This may be promptly disposed
OF on a point of order, but is more likely
to be the occasion of considerable talk be-
fore being thus disposed of.
The new immigration bill agreed upon
by the conferees will be presented to the
House tomorrow, and the advocates of
the measure will endeavor to secure day
later in the week for it's considera ton.