The record-union., 1898-05-16
WAR REVENUE BILL.
WILL OCCUPY THE SENATE'S
ATTENTION THIS WEEK.
Opponents Of It Will Take Time to
Present Their Views on the
Questions Involved.

WASHINGTON, May 15-The war
revenue bill will occupy the attention of
the Senate this week almost to the ex-
clusion of other business, and there is
no probability that the bill can be dis
posed of during the week The indica-
tions now are for two weeks debate,
and there is no assurance that it will
be concluded within that period of time.
The opponents of the bill disavow any
intention to delay the action of this
legislation but they do not conceal
their purpose of taking time to present
their views on the various questions in
volved, and it looks as if it would be
impossible for them to do this within
less time than two weeks.
The principal portion of the debate
will be on the report of the Republican
members of the committee in favor of
restoring the bond provision. The prob
abilities are that this proposition will
prevail if the war continues, but before
a vote can be reached upon it there will
be great deal of talk for and against
it. The entire financial question will
be involved to a certain extent, and
probably most of the Senators who op-
pose the bond issue will be heard before
the conclusion of the discussion. The
Republican Senators generally are
averse to a long discussion, but the
Democrats and Silver Republicans say
it will be necessary for them to explain
and defend their position. Senator AL
lison will open the debate on Monday
with a statement on behalf of the Re
publican members of the Committee on
Finance, and will be followed by some
Democratic member of the committee,
probably Senator Jones. Beyond this
there are no data upon which to base
a statement of the probabilities. 1t is
quite certain, however, that there will
be no dearth of speech-makers or of
speech-making.
The most notable event in the House
proceedings for the present week will
be the introduction of the resolutions
providing for the annexation of Hawaii.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs has
decided to report favorably the resolu-
tion, and will do so probably on Tues
day A very large majority of the Re-
publicans and, it is claimed. fifteen
Democratic members, favor the PROPOSE
ton, and would like to take immediate
action: but consideration will be post
pOIlGU likely uIllll dltSI lllio WCSh.
1t is urged by those who oppose imme-
date consideration that the passage Of
the resolution now would complicate
the situation as respects the revenue
bill, and would delay greatly the pass
age of the latter. Speaker Reed and
Representative Dingley are opposed to
annexation as a proposition, and the
latter is especially opposed to passing
the measure before action upon the
revenue bill is taken. On Wednesday
the Banking and Currency Committee
will present, pursuant to the vote con-
cluded Saturday, general banking and
currency bill, but it is understood that
it will not be considered this week.
Final action on any currency measure
at this session seems improbable. OF
the appropriation bills in conference.
some progress seems to have been made
in the sundry civil and Postoffice bills,
and one or both may be passed, though
there is a disposition to delay them in
conference until the rvenue bill is
we'll under way in the Senate. The
House committee is ready to report the
general deficiency bill, and may bring
it in this week. A bill to establish a
non-partisan Labor Commission, sug-
gesting appropriate legislation affecting
labor, may be considered this week.
The prospect for a generous treatment
of local bills is good.