The herald., 1898-05-09
WAR REVENUE MEASURE
WILL OCCUPY THE TIME IN THE
SENAJC
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION BILL
Among the Matters Which the House
Is Scheduled to Dispose Of
This Week
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, May s.-The expectation
is that the war revenue bill will be re-
ceived in the senate froni the committee on
finance about Wednesday, but 1t may be
delayed for day or two beyond that date.
The fact Is that that the committee has
found so many changes considered desir-
able from its standpoint that progress has
necessarily been slow. This has proved to
be true without regard to party lines. The
Republicans have suggested many more
amendments to the bill than have the
Democrats, and many Of them suggested
by them have been Of such Importance as
to require careful attention and much time
There are many matters yet requiring
consideration, and until these shall have
been voted upon In committee II will be i'm
possible to fix a day for reporting the bill.
Whether the bill shall carry provision
for a new government loan on bonds de-
pends entirely upon Senator Jones Of
Nevada. So far as It can be learned he
has not yet made known his position in the
committee, and old members profess to be
ignorant of the subject. The understand
ing on the subject Is that he will oppose the
the bill Is reported this provision will be
eliminated and probably an authorization
for the issue Of greenbacks substituted for
1t.
Whatever the verdict of the committee
on the bond clause, the bond question will
form the basis of the senates considera-
ton of the bill. This subject will in any
event be debated at length in the senate. It
is generally conceded that even though the
committee displaces the provision. the
friends Of the bond policy will be strong
enough to restore 1t In the senate. The
opponents OF the bonds hold that the
strength of the provision Is due to the fact
that a state Of war exists, and they are
hopeful that war may come to close be-
fore a vote upon the bill. They do not In
dicate any purpose Of holding the bill In
the senate with this purpose in view. but
they now assert 1t to be their intention to
debate the bill. for at least the time ex-
tent necessary to present their views
fully to the country The Republican
amendments are directd to the improve
ments of the details OF the bill, and to the
elimination of many small items and the
insertion of others which will bring more
revenue. The Democratic members of the
committee are generally assisting their
Republican colleagues In this matter, and
admit that the bill Is being improved by the
process, but they insist that as they have
so far been engaged on Republican amend
ments that party should take the re-
sponsibility for the delay that has occurred
1t is said that one or two days more will
be necessary to the perfection Of the meas
ure according to the Republican plan. How
much more time will bel necessary for the
Democratic suggestions cannot be fore
told. It cannot, however, be very surpris-
ing II the bill should not be taken up for
debate before the last day Of tine week.
In the meantime, the senate will devote
the time to miscellaneous questions. Mon
day will be devoted to the postoffice ap-
preparation bill. and speeches will be
made by Messrs Faulkner, Butler. Petit
grew and others.
A definite program for house procedure
during the present week Is fixed. II the
president shall send tomorrow a message
to congress reviewing the operations Of the
American feet in Philippine waters and
a vote Of thanks to Acting
Admiral Dewey, the house will Immediately
act upon 1t in response to the message,
Then, until further developments arise,
the mouse Will devote the udy To- cOn6lQera-
ton of matters affecting the District Of Co.
lumbia. On Tuesday the committee on
foreign affairs probably will reporta Joint
resolution providing for the annexation of
the Hawaiian islands. 1t will have the
support of all Republicans and some DEM
ocrats Of the committee, and further
more, in view Of what seems a recently
growing sentiment here favorable to a. pol
Icy Of colonisation, Its passage by the house
this week without very strong resistance is
likely.
The volunteer immune bill, passed last
week by the senate Is upon the board, and
will be considered and passed during the
week, though not without some opposition.
Very little progress has been made upon
the appropriation billd novt In conference,
owing to the fact that Senator Allison,
chairman Of the senate committee on ap-
is also on the senate commit
tee on finance, and his attention is being
by the latter committee and
of the revenue bill.
Consequently final consideration OF the
bills now in conference will
be delayed until the revenue bill Is reported.