The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-21
WARM DEBATE PROBABLE.
House May This Week Discuss All
Phases of the Cuban Question.

House May This Week Discuss All
Phases of the Cuban Question.
WASHINGTON, March 2O.-Whether the
report of the naval board of inquiry on the
Maine disaster goes to Congress this week
with p special message from the President,
calling for congressional action, our rela-
tlcns with Spain and the proximity Of war.
as viewed from the standpoint of the emer-
gency preparations now going on to place
the country in state of defense, probably
VIII be exhaustively debated in the House
in connection with the naval appropriation
bill, consideration of which will begin on
Tuesday The many emergency items in
the bill, the large increase in the enlisted
force, the liberal provision for battle ships.
torpedo boats and dry docks, will bring the
whole subject of the necessity for these
preparations directly before the House.
While the conservative leaders doubtless
will seek to prevent inflammatory express
slons under the recent ruling Of the speak
er, which practically places no limit upon
the latitude of debate in committee of the
whole on the state of the Union, the lead
ers, except by their example, probably will
Ne unable to repress sensational speeches
An effort is likely on the part Of some of
the radicals to force from those in the con-
fidence of the administration a declaration
of the policy of the administration regard
ing Cuba This they hope to do by taunting
them with some of the rumors which have
been floating about in the newspapers dur
ing the past few days. 1t is altogether like
ly that there will be a general expression
of the sentiment of the House on this ques-
tion before the bill is passed.
Should the President transmit the report
oP oP tV,o. ~, f0r
congressional action during the week every
thing else will give way to it. Any action
which might be decided upon would be in
the complete control of the Republican lead
ers to the limit to be put upon debate.
If the report of the board does not go to
Congress this week the naval bill will prob
ably consume all the time after tomorrow.
But if it should be passed before Saturday,
which seems unlikely, the bill for the re-
organization of the army and the authoriza-
ton for recruiting it to a footing, aggre-
eating 1000 men in time of war, will be
taken up. Tomorrow the bill for the relief
of the victims Of the Maine will be called
up Immediately after the Teading of the
journal under the arrangement made last
week. 1t is not expected to consume much
time, but probably will be made the occa-
sion for several patriotic speeches in eulogy
of the heroism of the sailors who went down
to their tragic death. The rest of the day
will be occupied in the consideration of pri-
vate bills, in pursuance of the order made
last Friday. Altogether it promises to be
an exceedingly eventful, if not sensational,
week in the House.
No programme has been prepared for the
Senate for the present week, and the course
of events is liable to be Influenced largely
by developments from the outside The quar-
antine bill is the unfinished business on the
Senate calendar, and if opportunity offers,
Senator Pettigrew will get up his public
land bill. 1t is expected that the sundry
civil appropriation bill will be reported
Wednesday Thursday, and if it should be.
it may be taken up later in the week. 1t is
understood to be Senator Davis's intention
to bring up the Hawaiian treaty in order
to get vote on the Bacon amendment. 1t
is still Mr.. Davis's intention to move to lay
the amendment on the table as soon as Sen
ator Bacon concludes his speech in its sup
port All these plans are liable to be
changed if the report of the court of inquiry
into the Maine disaster should be received
The receipt of this document would inevita-
bly, have the effect of springing a Cuban
debate, which would sidetrack all other
questions.