The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-03

tiona that Wiil EngaRe the Attention OF
I, the senste--lIswalian Annexation aud
Financial Matters VIII Be A,nous the
efToplca or General Interest.
" MWAsH1NGToSJan,2.-The time OF il,e
house this week. after It meets on We'd
nesday, Will probably be entirely devoted
to the debate on the civil service ques-
ton. BY general consent the aproprla-
ton In the legislative, executive aud
judicial bill for the maintenance OF tho
commission upon whch the debate VIII
be based, went over until after the holt
days. It's intended by the opponents OF
the civil service law that the debate shall
cover the whole question and they expect
to develop and exploit some very inter-
estinS, II not sensational facts, The de-
tenders Of the law have made elaborate
preparations TO meet these assaults and
some highly interesting. II not sensatlon-
al, incidents are anticipated. The re-
cords OF individuals are likely to be very
much In evidence. 1t is not expected
that the debate will be concluded this
week, as Saturday has been set aside for
paying tribute to the memory OF the late
Representative Wright, OF Massachu-
sets.
General Grosvenol, Of Ohio who has
been one OF the mainstays OF the opposl-
tion 10 the law, is very desirous OF par
ticipating In the debate, but owing to the
senatorial fight now In progress In Ohio,
he will probably not be able to return
until next week. 1t Is not believed tina.
there will be any attempt.to close the de-
bate before he has had an opportunity
to make the elaborate speech which he
has prepared. No one seriously believes,
however. that the upshot Of the present
debate will be the striking out OF the ap-
preparation for the commission. This
proposition cannot by any means COM
mand the full strength OF the opposition,
the leaders Of which think direct leglsla-
tion should be enacted to repeal or really
amend the law. The debate, therefore,
will simply be in the nature OF a general
airing Of the views Of the members OF the
house, the only practical effect OF which
VIII be to place them on record for the
future.
The prevailing opinion among senator's
is that very little legislation will be at
tempted during the present week. The
fact that Congress will not re-convene
until Wednesday will probably be taken
by the absentees to mean that nothing
will be attempted until the following, and
as consequence, 1t is doubtful whether
there will be a quorum present in the
senate on Wednesday, in which event
there will probably be an early adjourn
ment until the following day, and then
an adjournment until Monday. In any
event 1t Is not probable that any import
ant questions viii! be raised during the
present week.
The general understanding Is, how
ever, that the.work OF the session will be-
gin in real earnest after this week and
that herceforth there will be no justiflca-
tion OF the complaint of dullness OF the
proceedings. Among the questions
which will engage early attention are:
The Hawaiian annexation question.
the claim OF Mr.. Corbett to seat In the
senate from Oregon, the immigration
bill and the financial question. In all
probability, the committee on privileges
and elections will meet during the pres
ent week and the chances are that an
earlier report on the Corbett claim will
be ordered even though 1t may not be
favorable The Republican side OF the
chamber will not be unit in Mr.. Cor
belts interest. Senator Burrows, OF the
committee which has charge OF the case,
Is preparing an exhaustive speech an
tagonist!c TO Mr.. Corbctt and the opposl-
ton IS counting upon the assistance Of
still others from that side OF the cham
Der. 1t Is not believed that there will be
any serious antagonism to the immiera-
ton bill. but there may be considerable
time consumed in speeches upon the cub
ject. .
It IS probable that Senator Davis,
chairman OF the committee on foreign re-
lations, will make an effort during the
present week to get :: day fixed for talk
ing up the annexation treaty, and there
is no apprehension Of any objection to
naming a day In the early future. The
plan OF the supporters OF the treaty is TO i
take the question up in executive session
on resolution Of ratification and to de-
bate the treaty for few days In cxecu-
tive session, pursuing this course long
enough to determine their strength and
commit those who profess to be with
them. II they find that they have the
necessary two-thirds 10 secure ratiii-
cation they will press on to the enc, but
II thev discover themselves to be de-
ilcent In voting strength. they wiz
change policy and take up the uues-
ton Of annexation on Senator Nor
Ean's resolution 10 that end. There Is
no doubt that majority Of affirmative
votes can be secured and that Il resolu-
ton OF this character can be passed if n
vote can be reached. The present lnul-