Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-07
AFTER A PLAN OF ACTION
Members IN Bsth Wings Trying to Find
Their Bearings.
The Hawaiian Treaty the Matter 81
First Concern Among SenatOrs--Fi-
nance and Civil Service in House.

Today was occupied by the Congressman
In both wings of the Capitol in trying to
settle down to some plan of action. In the
language of the gentleman from Alabama,
they are trying to find out where they ARE
at"
The matter of immediate concern among
the Senators is the Hawaiian treaty. The
night against 1t is so bitter that 1t becomes
necessary that the subject be approached
with more than ordinary circumspection
by the friends Of annexation than at first
appeared.
1t was reported that the PENNSYLVANIA
senator's had changed their position and
would oppose the treaty, but inquiry proves
this not to be true. 1t is true, however.
that Mr.. Hoar Is opposed to annexation
and. good many senators who were IN
doubt at the close of the extra session are
still in doubt. The attitude of some of
them has yet to be determined by the
force of the arguments in debate while IL
is thought that some who are doubtful viii
resolve the doubt Ii favor of sustaining the
Administered ton.
The treaty Is likely to gain strength from
debate. The injury that has been done it
has been by ex parte arguments that have
been persistently pressed on the quiet dur
ing the recess. while the friends of annex
alton, confident Of their strength, have been
less active. Now the supporters of the
and Will probably recover whatever ground
has been lost At the same time, there is
great anxiety about the fate of the treaty
50 large vote being necessary to ratifi-
cation.
The succession of Mr.. Money to Mr.
George in the Senate strengthens the
treaty but it is yet to be determined
whether this vote will make up the neces-
sary two-thirds.
Friends of the treaty will confer this
evening and tomorrow members of the
committee will decide upon their plans. 1t
Is likely that they will decide to go ahead
at once with the treaty rather than to pro-
coed by the other method of annexation
that Is, by joint resolution.
Civil Service and Finance.
In the House the bone of contention is
civil service and finance The motion made
by Mr. Dingley to refer part of the finan-
cial matter of the Presidents message to
the committee on ways ard means was con-
stlued to indicate a determination TO avoid
having lot of cor flicting bills clamorous
for consideration, as there would be if the
matter were in the hands of the banking
and currency committee. 1t does not nee
essarily signify that a measure will be re-
ported from either committee, but if one is
reported by Mr.. Dingley, it will be of con-
servative character. having the approval
Of the Speaker and his lieutenants, and it
will be disposed of with promptness
attempt at financial legislation, as it is I'M
derstood he is. it is probable that the ways
and means committee will hold the queS
ton Down unless some plans can be devised
to get some action out of the Senate.
Representative Grosvenor led his little
civil service lamb into slaughter in the
House today, and made some very vicious
swipes at it with the knife he mas been
sharpening since last session. The law was
very ably defended by Mr.. Brosius, and
there were many filings made at the law in
sage remarks by members.
All this came up on the question of the
reference of the Presidents message.
With respect to the reference of the
financial part Mr.. Dingey explained that he
did not intend to take anything from the
jurisdiction of the banking and currency
committee, and his motion was afterward
amended as to satisfy Mr.. Walker, leav-
ing with the banking and currency COM
mittee the entire banking and currency
question, as lIsI al.
1t is still, however, construed to be the
purpose of the managers of the House to
hold this question in control, and to check
useless and scattering agitation.