The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-21

Washington, March 20.-Whether the
report of the naval board of inquiry on
the Maine disaster goes to congress
this week with special message from
the president calling for congressional
action or not, our relations with Spain
and the proximity of war, as viewed
from the standpoint of emergency, and
preparations now going on to place the
country in a state of defense, probably
Will be exhaustively debated in the
house in connection with the naval APP
preparation bill, the consideration of
which will begin on Tuesday. The
many emergency items in the bill, the
large increased enlisted force, the
liberal provision for battleShipS, tor
pedo boats and dry docks, viii bring
the whole subject for the necessity for
these preparations directly before the
house While the leaders doubtless
win seek to prevent infiammatory eX-
pressions under the recent ruling of
the speaker (Which practically places
no limit upon the latitude of debate in
committee of the whole on the state
of the union), the leaders. except by
their example, probably will be unable
to repress sensational speeches.
FORCE A DECLARATION.
An effort is likely upon the part of
some of the radicals to force from
those in the confidence of the admins
tration a declaration of the policy of
the administration regarding Cuba
This they hope to do by haunting them
with some of the rumors which have
been floating about in the newspapers
during the past few days. It is alto
gether likely that there will be a gen.
eral expression Of the sentiment in the
house on this question before the bill
is passed.
Should the president transmit the
report Of the board of inquiry with a
request for congressional action during
the week, everything else Will give
way to it. Any action that might be
decided upon would be in the complete
control of the Republican leaders, as
to the limit to be put upon debate
NAVAL BILL.
If the report of the board does not
go to congress this week, the naval
bill will probably consume all the time
after tomorrow. But if it should be
passed before Saturday, which seems
unlikely the bill for the reorganiZa
ton of the army and authorization for
recruiting it to a footing aggregating
100000 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 read
ing of the journal, under the arrange
ment made last week. 1t is not eN-
pected to consume much time, but
probably vii be made the occasion 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 con-
sideration of private bills in pursuance
OF the order made last Friday.
Altogether it promises to be an eX-
ceedingly eventful, if not sensational,
week ir the house.
SENATE FORECAST.
No programme has been prepared for
the senate for the present week and
course Of events is liable to be in
fiuenced largely by developments from
The outside.
The quarantine bill is the unfinished
business on the senate calendar. and
f opportunity offers. Senator Pettigrew
vill get up his public land bill. 1t is
expected the sundry civil appropriation
bill viii be reported Wednesday or
Thursday, and if it should be. it may
be taken w later in the week. The
senate committee is making many
changes in this bill. and it viii con-
sumo several davs Of the time of the
senate when considered
HAWAIIAN TREATY.
It is also understood to be Senator
Davis intention to bring up the
Hawaiian treaty, in order to get vote
on the Bacon amendment. 1t is still
Mr.. Davis intention to move to lay
the amendment on the table as soon as
Senator Bacon concludes his speech in
its sup9ort. 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 inevitably have the
effect Cf springing a Cuban debate,
which would sidetrack all other ques-
fipr7c