The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1898-03-04
WORK is WELL ALONG
CONGRESS HAS DONE REMARK
ABLY WELL.
The Present Session So Far Freaks Preyi-
Gus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Bills are
Being Crowded Along - Indications
Now Point to an Early Adjournment
With Hawaii Left Suspended.
Work in Congress.

4
WASHINGTON. Feb. 28.-The house
leaders have been straining all their
energies to expedite the appropriation
bills, with view to an early adjourn
ment, and they are succeeding beyond
their most sanguine expectations. Not
in a quarter of century have the ap-
preparation bills been so far advanced
in the long session as they are at this
time. Only three of the regular bills
remain in committee. The others
have gone through one or two stages
and one, the military academy bill, is
in the hands of the president. The
other nine are as follows: The pen
sion bill has passed both houses and
the differences have been agreed on
i'll conference; the legislative, eXecu-
tive and judicial, army, Notifications
and the agricultural bills have passed
both houses and the differences are
being adjusted in conferences. The SEN
ate amendments to the consular and
diplomatic bill have been agreed to by
the house committee on foreign affairs
ana only awaits confirmation of this
action by the house before going to
the president. The Indian bill passed
the senate and the amendments placed
there are being considered by the
house committee. The District of
Columbia bill, having passed the
house, is still in the senate committee,
lA hi !,
pass the house tomorrow.
OF the three bills still unreported to
the house both the naval and the post
office await contingent developments
before they can be completed. The
naval bill is practically complete save
for the provisions for dry docks and
new ships. On both these PROPOSE
tions the developments of the next few
days are expected to control the ac
ton of the committee. If the board
of inquiry into the Maine disaster
should render a finding which por-
tends strained relations with Spain
the most liberal provisions will be
made both for dry docks and ships.
If the disasater was not due to acci-
dental causes aboard ship it is almost
certain that two new battleships will
be provided for, one recommended by
by the secretary of the navy and one
to replace the Maine. and that at
least one new dry dock recommended
will be provided for. If the Maine
disaster is found to have been acci-
detail it is probable that no provision
for the new ships will be made.
The completion OF the postoffice bill
depends on the action OF the house on
the Loud bill on second class mail
matter, which is to be acted on this
week.
The general deficiency is always the
last of the bills to be reported, as it
always includes such deficiencies and
other items as must be provided for
at the close of every session. After
this and the immigration bill are out
of the way nothing remains to pro-
long the session of congress save the
annexation of Hawaii Or war.
The leaders of both sides. looking
ahead, eliminating both Of these pro-
visions as possibilities, agree that the
appropriation bills should be passed
and congress ready to adjourn early
in May. If such a contingency as war
should arise it would be necessary for
congress to act both in the formal
declaration of war and in furnishing
ways and means for prosecution.
With regard to Hawaiian anneXa-
ton there is no doubt that if the pre-
sent treaty is abandoned in the SEN
ate no move for annexation by legis-
lative enactment will be provided by
the house. Both opponents and those
in favor of annexation believe that
the senate should retain jurisdiction.
The action by the senate on resolu-
tion Of annexation would therefore
precede any action by the house and
it is this which gives color, to the i'm
preston in the house that action in
the senate can be delayed until both
houses have completed their other
work and then an effort will be made
to adjourn and leave the question
Speaker Reed makes no conceal
ment of his personal opposition to
and prominent republi-
cans, like Cannon, Walker and John
son, are also outspoNen. Some of the
others, like chairman Dingley, have
made no public declarations on the
subject. but are believed to be in
sympathy with the opponents CT an
neXation.
A large majority of the republi- |
cans. however. are of course in favor
of the administration policy, many
of them enthusiastically So Chair |
man Hit of the foreign affairs COM |
mittee is placed among the supporters |
of annexation, but it is probable that |
contest is transferred to the house at |
this session, will be borne by Mr. |
(rep., o. and Mr.. Hender-
son rep.. Ia) both of whom are en-
thusiastic in its support.
Advised to Leave Havana.