The times., 1898-01-03
UNI|M8ER|NG THE GUNS
Beth Parties i'm Congress Train
Ing Them Upon Mckinley.
DIVIDED REPUBLICAN CAMP
Administration Must Bear the Brunt
of Nuch Dispieasnre i'm the House
of Its Friends-Probabte Long
secret Debate on tie Hawaiian An
nexation Treaty.

Congress recomenes day after tomor-
row. All the signs OF the times point to
vigorous onslaught on the Administra-
tion by the Democrats and severe criticism
from the Republicans. There are three
grounds on which Republicans base their
structures OF the conduct of affairs at the
White House. First, its refusal to carry
put the American sentiment with respect
60 the Cuban question; second, the tacit
approval of the policy of Secretary Gage
An seeking TO commit the country TO the
single gold standard, and, finally, the
failure OF the President 10 weaken the
civil service reform laws by modifying
tile order OF Mr.. Cleveland OF May 6, 1896.
with the Republicans at variance on
these proposit ions, and each side hon
estly coutending Tor that which 1T be-
lieves To be right, il is easy To see there
can be no concert of action. These up-
posing views are not peculiar 10 either
House of Congress. They are 10 be found
in both the House and Senate As soon
as the machinery OF the legislative BODY
gets fnto motion after this holiday sea-
son, the unrest ana discomfort or those
who believe the President is not prop
erly interpreting the platform Tor WHICH
they conuended, and upon which he was
elected, viii, beyond doubt, begin to
manifest themselves. There win be plenty
OF fun in both Houses, il the Spectacle of a
party divided against itself can lie con-
sidered as source of amusement.
1t is prollable that in the Senate much OF
the time viii be consumed in executive
session. II is the intention of Chairman
DAVIS, of the Committee on Foreign Re
lations, to call up the Hawaiian anneNa-
tion treaty at the first moment possible.
The debate on this subject Will, in all
proha bility, commence by Thursday.
When the vote will be taken is matter of
such mere conjecture that it would be idle
to venture a prediction. The debate Will
he more protracted than was expected
wren- the extraordinary session ended,
and the vote wili becloser.
1t is nu. believed that the debate will
be conducted in open session, although
there is precedent for such action. The
fishing treaty with Great Britain several
years ago was discussed in open session.
The impoSsibility OF the debate on the
pending treaty developing anything that
would he offensive TO other powers would
suggest the adyisability of discussing ii
in the open. But it is not thought that
this will be done.t The motion To do
ii and the discussion thereon must take
place in secret session, and there is said
to toe sufficient opposition to prevent the
adoption of such motion.
The opposition TO the treaty has not
abated any. and the active opponents
are az Jealous as ever in their efforts
To encompass its rejection. The friends
of the convention are, however, better
satisfied with the situation. The Chinese
situation has, they believe, afforded them
an inyincilde agument in favor OF an
neNation. and one that will win over 10
their side the doubling Senators who have
been unable to make up their minds what
is the best thing TO do. The possible
division Of that part OF China on the
coast among the European powers, the.
friends Of the treaty argue, makes it i'm
perative that this country annex the Ha-
waiian Islands, as that is the only out
post between the United States and Eu-
Then. too, he treaty is an administra ton
measure, and the President is bringing the
pressureta bear upon every mernher whocan
DE reached. While the vote may be close.
Chairman Davis believes it may result in
the ratification of the treaty. The de-
hate may continue for two or three weeks.
The large number of nominations now
pending. and the lists that will prohahly
he sent in this week, will also give the
Senate much to do in secret session. There
are before the Judiciary Committee over
forty important nominations, consisting
OF the nomination of Judge McKenns. 20
the supreme Court, several district Judges.
number of United states attorneys
and other offices. The PostOffice Conn
mittee viii be loaded with postoffice
nominations. and ia many cases these will
be cont ested.
III Tue legislative branch of the work
there VIII be abundance of material for
Inc consideration of the Senate. The i'm
migration sill is the unfinished business
but an agreement has been had to take
The vote on this measure on the 18th in
stant, Senator Gear VIII move to take up
The Pacific Railroad refunding bills, and
VIII zoe prolific in debate, for there is
a discrimination on the part of the op-
ponenis OF this refunding scheme to pre-
vent this legislation at all cost.
The Corbett case is also likely Ia come
before the Senate at an early day. for the
committee is expected TO make its report
within the next ten days. That renort
"'loh has been prepared by Senator Hoar,
is Favorable to seating Mr.. Corhett. a nd
whatever may be the outcome. tbere viii
he fun discussion of the subject.
Civil service reform and the c,,r-a,c,
question are live topics and likely To pro
trude themselves at any time. ana hotb
are fruitful in talk. 1t is apparent. there
Tore that the Senate will have plentv tn
do. "
u RGES PERSRNsT Dr-Drrr