The record-union., 1897-02-22
But Both Houses Will Work Through.
out the Day.
Legislation Will Con-
sumo the Time This Week, the
Indian Bill Taking Much Time in
the Senate-Pet Measures Of rlem-
bers Will be Crowded to the Wall
i'm the House, and Appropriation
Bills and Conference Reports Will
Have Precedence.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-The Senate
will begin the week by listening to Sen
ator Daniel read Washington's farewell
address, but will not observe Washing
toms birthday to any greater extent.
1t is expected that very little will be
attempted beyond appropriation legls-
lation during the week and it appears
probable that most of the time will be
given up to the Indian bill now in pro-
gress of consideration and the bill pro-
viding for appropriations for the Dis
trict of Columbia, which will be taken
up. There are many provisions in the
unconsidered portion of the Indian bill
which will arouse debate, and it is prob
able that the bill never gets through
the Senate without elaborate discussion
of its many provisions.
By the time these bills are out of the
way in the Senate the Postoffice and
sundry civil bills will be reported. Con-
sequently there is no probability of
lack of material.
Senator Sherman has announced his
purpose not to again bring up the arbi-
tration treaty for debate so long as the
appropriation bills are pressing for con-
sideration, but if there should be lull
in this work, he may renew efforts to
secure ratification. There is no proba-
bhty, however, that this result can be
accomplished.
Senator Hoar is waiting enXiously to
get UP the bankruptcy bill He said to-
day he believed the Senate could be
brought to pass the bill after a few
hours debate if it could be gotten up
but admitted that for the present the
appropriation bills would probably
monopolize the attention of the Senate.
Congress adjourns sine die a week
from Thursday and the rush and jost-
ling which marks the closing days Of a
session will begin tomorrow.
Washington's birthday T-ifl be sseie-
brated by hard work. Members with
pet measures, the passage of which have
more or less bearing on their political
fortunes, will begin their clamor for re-
cognition, but they will appeal in vain
as long as the appropriation bills and
conference reports are before the House
for action, as these by the rules, have
the right of way. Besides the House
managers are anxious TO put through
with the least possible delay the last
two budgets so that the desks may be
Senate over the latte.'s amendments to
the money bills
Speaker Reed and the House mana
gers are using all their power and in
fiuence TO keep down the appropriations
tn the lowest limit, as they already
promise TO exceed those of the fifty-first
Congress, and the increases which the
Senate makes will be fought to the bit
. +1,f a
keep down appropriations TO the mlnl-
mum was apparent yesterday when the
naval committee, as agreeing 10 recon-
mend an appropriation for new battle
ship and a training ship for the An
napolis cadets, upon consultation with
The leaders. rescinded its acton and de-
cided to report the bill without any rec
orn,nendation for an increase in the new
navy.
The general deficiency bill, which has
oeen under consideration for two days in
the House, will probably be captured
Tomorrow. An effort viii be made TO
strike out the appropriation of SL3lo,-
600 for the Southern Pacific, being the
amount withheld by the Government
pending a determination of the liability
of that road to the Union and Central
roads. 1t probably viii fail, however.
The naval appropriation VIII follow.
Owing to the controversy over the price
10 be paid for arrnor plate and the num-
eroIs accidents to the vessels of the new
navy. this bill may lead TO a protracted
discussion. but If it hangs fire until Fri
dav. II can be put through under sus-
pension of the rules. as the last six days
of the session are suspension days.
Gs,onference reports probably will be
pin 10 appear with a rush before the
of the week and will be sand
xiched in every spare moment. 1t Is
likely that before the week is over the
House will find the pressure for time so
great that night sessions win be entered
upon and the daily sessions may also be
extended by fixing earlier hour for
meeting. Two contested election cases
remained undisposed OF, and as these
arr matters of the highest privilege all
else must give way if their considera-
tionis insisted upon. But as both Of
them are unanimous reports (the COM
mittees resolution being for the sitting
n1emberin the Watson Black case and
the Bendt- -Boatner case, they should
not require much time for discussion.
The only measure of considerable i'm
portance which seems to have a chance
of running the gauntlet during the clos
ing days is the Senate joint resolution
for an international money conference
looking to the adoption of international
bimetallism. The resolution was unani-
mously reported TO the House yesterday
and its friends are very anxious to have
1t passed. Speaker Reed is said to be
friendly to it and an order may be
brought in for its consideration during
the week. Little time, however. viii be
allowed to debate it, as the House has
no time now to waste in long finan-
ciai debate over resolution the pur-
pose and scope of which are well under
NRtood.
Two Children Burned to Death.
sERRY (Ok), Feb. 21.-The children