The herald., 1898-02-18
CONGRESS WILL SOON CLOSE
PROGRESS WITH THE APPRoPRI-
ATOMS IN THE SENATE
Hawaiian Annexation Doomed to Dis
appointment-Chagrin of State
Department Over De LONE

Chairman Cannon of the house committee
on appropriations says 1t will come to an
end in April. Speaker Reed names May
1st as the date of its demise. No one ex-
poets to find congress in session as late as
June 1st.
Wonderful progress has been made with
the appropriation bills in the senate. There
are only three Of the regular annual sup
ply bills yet to be considered in that body.
1t is not so remarkable that the house
should have been able TO prepare and dis
pose of these measures so early. Speaker
Reed has the organization of the house
so completely under his control and SO
subservient to his will that II it were
necessary that body could and would wind
up all OF its business and be ready to ad-
journ at twenty-four hours notice. In
deed the capacity Of the house for the
transaction of business under his leader
ship and his rules would deserve and re-
ceive the unqualified approval of men Of
all parties and classes If 1t were not for
the danger that is inevitab BILE from the
placing of so much power in the hands of
one man. The speakers will is absolute.
Whether or not bill shall receive consd-
does not matter whether the measure is
a really meritorious one or whether it
has received the approval OF a majority
of the senate. II it is not viewed with
favor by Speaker Reed 1t has no show
whatever Of receiving the consideration to
which 1t is entitled in the house. His Re-
publican associates follow his lead will
lingly-even blindly- and the laws that
have been passed since Mr.. Reed became
speaker might as justly be called the
Reed laws" as the rules of the house
are called the Reed rules" Whether or
not he has always used his powers wisely
and to the best interests of the nation, the
country and posterity will judge. There is
one thing in his favor which even his op-
ponents admit, and that is that he is as
quick to prevent the passage of an un-
meritorious bill that comes from Repub-
lican sources as he is to oppose a similar
one fathered by Democrat.
APPROPRIATIONS INCREASE
The tremendous increase in the appro-
pria tions necessary to pay the expenses
OF the government that has been noted in
the past few years is the principal reason
for the determination 10 make this ses-
sion of congress short one. Early in
the session 1t was agreed among Mr.. Reed
and his lieutenants in the house and the
leading Republicans in the senate that the
lowest possible limit and that no opportu-
nifty should be allowed for increasing them
by the passage of numerous miscellaneous
bills. 1t was deemed advisable, in view
OF the approaching congressional cleo
tons, TO make a record for econ
omy. so as to deprive the Demo-
Gratis of campaign material on that
score. So orders were issued to keep down
the regular appropriation bills and to get
n i1,ra oa-s
bic in order that while in session congress
might be kept busy with them, and that
an early adjournment might be had so as
10 prevent the passage of the usual flood of
small bills which in the aggregate would
mean the spending of large amount of
money. How well the programme is being
carried out can now be judged
But while the administration will benefit
In this way from the shortness of the
session, one of its cherished plans-that of
the annexation of Hawaii-will probably
be defeated for the same reason.
ANNEXATION DOOMED
Even the friends Of the treaty of annexa-
ton now pending before the senate ad-
nit that 1t cannot be adopted. All the ef-
forts of the administration have failed TO
secure the necessary two-thirds vote for
the adoption of the treaty. Senator Gear
OF Iowa refuses to get into line: Senator
@'AO% "a VI 'Si ibOllt Cdil De 1nQuceQ to do
more than to refrain from voting when
the time comes, thus reducing the number
OF votes required to make the two-thirds.
Senator Thurston of Nebraska is still re-
calcitrant, although he has been reported
as having been whipped into line and
there are other Republicans whose sun
port at the final test cannot be relied on
win confidence. So the treaty has been
practically abandoned
The suggestion that an attemnt IN annoy
the Hawaiian islands by a rider on the
diplomatic appropriation bill has been
ruied out. The only other plan remaining
is Mr. Morgans proposition to perform the
Job by means of a separate bill. to nass
~ ~whlch would require only a majority vote.
Ihere Is real danger in this as can he
readily seen when it is remembered that
there IS a certain majority Of the senate in
faVor or the annexation. and probably :,
similar majority in the house.
Speaker Reed happens to be opposed to
the annexation project, though what in
huences control his views on this ouestion
cannot be definitely stated. So he 10 rrr-
Ing haste with the appropriation bills for
thls reason as well as on the ground of
economy. Inc annexation plan Is to be
kept pending until the approximation biI,e
are disposed Of and then an adiournros an !,
resolution Is to be presented and a number
OF motives advanced in favor of its imr,e-
date adoption, one of the prlncinal reo-
sons (Which, however, is to be kent in tbs
background) being to stave off the Ha-
waian Job.
A NEEDED BILL
Senator White has done good service ~
prospective "Klondikers" by introducine
and securing a favorable report unon n
bill to "create a board of local inspectors
OF steam vessels for the customs district oF
Alaska" In view of the large number of
vessels that are being pressed into service
in transporting people to the gold fields II
is especially important that the travelling
public shall receive the benefits of the
steamboat inspection laws, and know that
the vessels on which they sail are safe. ana
officered by competent masters, pilots and
engineers.
CALIFORNIA; CLAIMS
Senator White has taken up the question
OF the lopg-standing claims of the state of
California against the United States
amounting to over half million dollars in
settlement Of the amounts paid out by the
state on account Of Indian wars. He has
introduced a bill providing for the paw
ment OF these claims and hopes to have II
passed by this congress.
HENRY E. ELAND