The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-28


drydocks recommended VIII be author
lied. In case the Maine disaster Is found
10 have been caused by accident. il Is
probable no provision for battleships will
be made in the new bill.
The completion OF the poApfiice bill
depends upon the action of The house upon
the Loud bill relating 10 seoond-class ~nail
matter. which is 10 be acted upon this
week.
The general deficiency is always the last
OF the bills 10 be reported. as it includes
such deficiencies and other items as must
be provided for at the close Of every ses-
sion. With the appropriation bill and the
immigration hill. the consideration of
which has been set for March Ii, out OF
the way, nothing remains TO prolong this
session of congress, save the question of
the annexation OF Hawaii. or war. The
leaders of both sides looking ahead. elm
mating both these subjects. probabilities
or possibilities of delay. agree that the
appropriation bills should be passed and
that congress should be ready TO adjourn
early in May. Ii such Contingency us
war should arise. ii would be necessary
for congress to act both in the formal
declaration of war and in furnishing
ways aud means for its prosecution. With
regard to Hawaiian annexation, there is
no doubt that If the present treaty is
abandoned in the senate. no move for an
nexation by legislative enactment Will be
Initiated by the house. The sentiment
both among the friends and opponents OF
annexation in the house. is that after the
long contest at the other end of the cap
itol. the senate should retain jurisdiction
of the subject. Action by the senate on
resolution of annexation would. there
fore, precede any action by the house, and
it is this which gives color to the general
impression in the house that action upon
a resolution ir the senate can be delayed
until both houses have completed their
other work and that then an effort will
be made TO adjourn and leave the Ques-
ton suspended.
Speaker Reed makes no coneealment OF
his personal opposition TO annexation, and
says that other very prominent Repub-
ncans. members like Cannon of Illinois,
Walker of Massachusetts,. Johnson OF In
diana, are outspoken. Some of the Others
like Chairman Dingley, of the ways and
means committee, have made no public
declarations upon the subject, but are
believed 10 be in sympathy with the OPP
ponents of annexation. A large majority
All %
course, in favor of the administration ;
policy, many of them enthusiastically so.
Chairman Hit, OF the foreign affairs
committee, is placed among the support
ers of annexation. but 1t is pIoSabie that
the real brunt of the battle. II the con-
test is transferred to the house at this
session, will be borne by Gen. Grosvenor.
OF Ohio. and Gen. Henderson, of Iowa.
both of whom are enthusiastic in their
support of it.
As stated, the indications all point TO a
concerted plan on the part OF the enemies
OF annexation at both ends Of the capitol
10 hurry through the appropriation bills
and adjourn before action can be had on
the joint resolution in the senate. This.
II Is pointed out, would be the easier way
to defeat, or at least postpone. action, AS
once the resolution got into the house,
the divisions In the Republican ranks
would be uncovered and the leaders would
be forced on opposite sides.
Some OF the Republicans who are op-
posed to the annexation do not care to
be forced into a position of public an
tagonism to the administration If 1t can
be avoided They would, of course. prefer
to see the question postponed rather than
have It brought to an issue in the house
The Democrats. with comparatively few
exceptions, are hostile TO annexation.
The programme of the house for the
coming week includes the completion Of
the sundry civil bill. which has been uu-
der consideration since last Wednesday,
action on the bill for the relief Of the vic
tins and survivors OF the Maine disaster:
the senate bin authorizing the enlistment
o. two additional regiments of artillery.
and the Loud bill relating TO secoEd-claSs
mail matter The latter bill has been
made special order for Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday. a spirited
contest is anticipated. but Ar. Loud. the
author OF the bill, and the chairman OF
the postofiice and postroads committee,
IL confident that IL will pass. The bill
takes all complete books printed In serial
form out OF the second-class rate. = cent
per pound" and places them on the reg
ular book class. which pays cents per
pound. 1t also prohibits the transmission
OF sample copies" at pound rates. IL The
bill should pass and be executed accord
ing to its spirit. MIR. Loud estimates the
annual saving to the government effected
by II during the next four years would
approximate $l2.cooco. Many publishers
ard newspapers are very hostile 20 the
measure but thus far the opposition has
not been 50 active as it was during the
last congress.
Tomorrow. under the rules. IS District
o, Columbia day. but Chairman Cannon,
IN charge Of the sandry civil bill. Will
,,,ot,aF,fy- Irsfst ursou gcirE ahead with bis