The age-herald., 1898-01-16
BREEZY GOSSIP
 FROM WASHINGTON
Special to The Age-Herald.


 Washington, Jan. 15.-The week in con- gress has been entirely devoid of interest. The first three days were occupied by fruitless debate civil service which was wisely cut off. The rest of the week has been devoted to the consideration of the appropriation bills, the urgent deficiency and the agricultural bill There is very little public interest manifested In the ap- propriaton bills unless some special item is the subject of great opposition. Then as the debate enlivens, the galleries quickly fill and the house looks like holiday oc- casion.
 Speaker Reed showed last Tuesday that he is still the big boss in the house. The question under consideration was the clos- ing of debate on the civil service question. The democrats, only too glad of a chance to promote strife in the opposing party, all voted against cloture. They were aided by number of republicans, and on the first roll call the question was decided in favor of the anti's by a majority of six votes. That was where Reeds fine hand came into play Republicans who had voted with the democrats were approached by some prominent member, and were inn medately to approach the speakers
 
 course knows. It must have been of some persuasive force, for all three of the mem bers who were called for the confab changed their votes, and made the question stand, a draw The speaker then decided in the affirmative, and he won his battle. It was not an easy fight to win, either, and a number of arbitrary decisions were nec- essary. Members who claimed that they did not hear their names when called were subject to a much more rigid examination than Is usual in such cases Altogether 1t was narrow victory.
 
 The president Is using all the influence that Is his by virtue of his high office. to secure the annexation of the Hawaiian is- lands No stone will be left unturned to secure this. end. Reluctant and truant members of the republican party who have expressed their intention of voting against the treaty are summoned to the white house and put under severe strain of per suasion to turn over and rally to the sup port of the administration. In short, 1t has, been decided to make the annexation problem an annexation measure, and de- mand the support of all loyal republicans thereto. The latest convert to the cause of the anti-annexationists is Senator Mason,
  yet gone over to the enemies of the treaty he cannot be chased with its friends. As he put 1t to me yesterday, he is lon the jury" What the jury will decide Is now the question. r. The chances for the ratification of the treaty seem to grow simmer as the days go by, and the treaty is certainly loosing ground When the treaty was taken up Tuesday the administration counted fifty number Since then there have been numbr of defections, while the annexation- ists have made perceptible converts. Among the former may be numbered, MT. Allen of Nebraska; Senators Thurston and Gear. The latter two. it is said will again be whipped into line by the president. but until then must be counted with the oppo- stion. Another member who had been counted as neutral has declared for the opposition This is Senator Kenny, of Delaware, and Senator Mitchell, who was often placed in the doubtful column will probably vote with the majority of his party. The fate of the treaty is now in. the balance and few more days of debate will show conclusively what it's chances are.
 Civil service has come and gone. Three days ago the whole town was wild about tbc merit system and what congress would do with it Now everyone has forgotten all about it. The tremendous strength of inc spoiismcn failed to appear. and the motion to strike out the appropriation for