Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-10
PETTIGREW WILL OPPOSE EXECU-
TIVE SESSION OF SENATE.
TO CONSIDER HAWAIIAN TREATY
THIS NATTER WILL BE CALLED UP
BY SENATOR DAVIS TODAY.
Debate on Treaty May Be Prolonged
One Week or One MOnth-The
Opposition Con1dent-Re-
publicans Among the
Opponents.

Washington Jan. 9.-Interest in the SEN
ate proceedings for the week centers IN
the promised debate of the treaty Tor the
annexation of Hawaii, which Will be taken
,r on Monday. Senator Davis has gwen
notice that he will move an executive
session of the senate for consideration Oh
the treaty each day until the treaty small
be finally disposed of. The first effort
on Monday will be to secure open doors
for the debate. This motion will be MADE
ty Senator Pettigrew of the opposition,
Tut there is no likelihood that 1t will carry.
The prevailing opinion is that the de-
bate will not be prolonged on the treaty,
hut theories as to the length of time vary
all the way from a week to Il month. The
opposition to the treaty assert that they
have no disposition TO prolonS the DIS
cussion owing to their confidence IN thclr
ability to defeat the treaty.
They claim thirty-five votes In opposition
end state that among these there Will
be more than one Republican. Senator
Morrill, adhereS to his original cetermin-
etion to oppose the ratification resolution
and he is preparing a speech on that side
cf the question. The name OF Senator
Money on the Democratic side Is added to
the list of supporters of the treaty. MAX
irg five Democrats who will certainly
favor annexation. Senator Butler, Popu-
LIST whose position has not heretofore been
generally known, to-day announced him
self as opposed to ratification.
1t may be accepted as true that II the
opponents of annexation become thorough
ly convinced that they can secure the one
third vote necessary to accomplish that
end they will allow the vote to come with
out delay, reserving any dilatory tactics
10 which they may be disposed to resort
for use in connection with the considera-
r.r inn
which would follow the defeat of the
treaty. This resolution would require only
q majority vote and it is conceded on all
hands that the anneXationistS have the
necessary majority.
In open session the calendar presents
many subjects that may receive attention,
including especially the immigration bill
and the census bill. the latter affording
a basis for speeches upon the civil service.
Senator Fairbanks has given notice of q
speech on the immigration bill on Tuesday
and Senator Butler will speak on his reso-
luton providing for the election of federal
judges by the people some day during the
week.
Discussion of the financial question is
also among the probabilities.
Senator Davis is expected to open the
Hawaiian debate with a set speech on
Monday, but there is a possibility that he
will defer his main argument until later In
the discussion.
in progress in the house during the past
week. will be concluded probably on
Tuesday. when the vote will be taken on a
motion to strike out the appropriation for
the maintenance of the commission. The
| motion is foredoomed to defeat so that
the present contributions to the literature
of this veXed question will eventuate in
nothing. The debate. however. has served
to define the position of the members. The
debate has proven that comparatively few
of the enemies of the system are willing
to go to the length of voting for the repeal
of the law. 1t Is claimed that prelimi-
nary canvass of the Republicans of the
house has developed over 100 on that side
ton of the law. If with these could be
combined the Democratic opponents of the
law, many of whom are against the entire
law and desire to see it wiped off the
mand majority. But quite a number Of
Democrats whose hostility to the law is
| outspoken say they will not vote for mod
ihcations of the law which will simply re-
| flee and the substitution Of Republicans.
They prefer, if it is not to be repealed
to see the law stand as it is. The entire
Populistic strength will oppose every mo-
tion Ont. to repeal rep llu3r,d. or modify the law.
dicial appropriation bill is out of the way.
either the agricultural or diplomatic and
consular bill! will be taken up and an
@ urgent deficiency bill will be ready. SO
Saturday. set apart for paying tribute to
the memory of the late Representative
Milliken. of Maine will be occupied with
appropriation bills. The diplomatic and
| consular bill is very likely to cause ex-
ttons-Cuba. Hawaii. the situation in the
Orient, etc.-any one of which could be
made fruitful theme of discussion. 1t is
understood to be the intention of the DEM
| the administration position toward Cuba S
| independence during the debate