Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-25
DalIp Zennebec 3ournal.
WITH SOLID FRONT
Congress Will Meet the Ex-
igencies Of War.
Hoped New Revenue Bill Can Go to
Senate by tuesday Night.
War Measures Will Engross Attention Of Con-
gress the Coming Week.

Washington, April eff the Presi-
dent sends message to Congress to-
morrow asking for a declaration If
war, as is now anticipated, the response |
will be prompt and emphatic. Now
that war has been entered upon. even
those congressman like Mr.. Johnson Of
Indiana. and Mr.. Loud Of California, |
who have hung back protesting to the
in the common cause, and all are anx-
ious to give the President a united sup
port in every measure deemed essen
tial, or necessary, to prosecute the war
to "A speedy and successful conclusion.
In order to show the world that all
fractional divisions have ceased and
that the representatives of the Ameri-
can people are arrayod in solid and i'm
posing phalanx behind the Chief tXecu-
tive. the declaration of war will be
passed without a word of debate, and
upon the ron call it is NOT likely that
there viii be a dissenting voice. Fol
lowing the declaration OF war the
House will proceed to the work OF pro
yiding the sneWs with which to pros
ecutc it. But upon this there viii not
be unanimity. The Republicans and
Democrats hold widely divergent views
as to the methods by which the rcVe-
nues to carry on the war should be
raised. No factious opposition. how
ever, will be offered by the minority.
The leaders of the minority are ex-
tremely anxious and they viii insist SO
far as they are able. upon presenting
such substitute propositions as are in
line with their ideas and doctrines for
the bill framed by the Republican;
members of the ways and mceans COM
mittee which Chairman Dingley in
troduced in the House, yesterday. The
Democrats of the House especially the
leaders Of the ways and means COM
mittee, are believed to be agrieVed
because they have not been consultd,
nor had q voice in the preparation OF
the war revenue measure. In the face
of i foreign enemy they say they have
sunk party consideration and have
voted to uphold the hands of the Pres
ident and they believe that in raising
war revenue. inasmuch as they are eX-
pected to acquiesce. they should have
had a share The bill will not be pre-
scented to them formally until tomorrow
morning. and Chairman Dingley eX-
poets to get it before the House during
the day He thinks the bill should pass
and go to the Senate, by Tuesday
night. at the latest. The Democrats
will protest against this expenditure but
will probably not carry their opposi-
ton beyond that. Mr.. Bailey, the
Democratic leader and other Demo
Gratis realize the necessity for prompt
action and while they feel they have
been unfairly treated under the cir
cumstances, they will make 10 long
opposition. Mr.. Bailey said they Woulo
probably be willing to forego genera
debate if an arrangement could bt
made to consider the entire bill fol
amendment under the five minute rule
The chief amendment, they desire Il
offer is for an income tax which the!
believe can be framed to meet the de
cisien of the supreme court. They are
also opposed to some of the provisions
of the stamp act which they heiev'
will prove onerous and irritating an'
it is likely they will offer proposition:
in lieu thereof Cor a tax of 50 cents pe
barrel on petroleum and a graduate
tax on railroad and other transporta
ton tickets. both of which propositions
We're considered by the Republicans
of the ways and means committee bu
rejected. There is also considerable
opposition to the bond feature of tn
bill and a motion will undoubtedly b.
made to strike it out.
a. ,,-bpJa N-aals in rho House is lil<p II
to be given largely to the considefa
ton of war measures but snch time q
remains probably viii be consumed il
disposing of two election cases and 9th
er minor matters. Possiblysthe genera
deficiency bill might be taken up be
fore the week closes.