The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-01-10
THE WEEK IN CONGRESS-
Hawaiian Annexation the Leading
Theme For Senators.
END OF CIVIL SERVICE DEBATE,

The Much Discussed Subject WIN
Doubtless Soon BE Retired by Vote
which VIII Make No Changes In the
Existing civil Service Methods.
Washington, Jan. 10.-Interest in the
senate proceedings for the week centers
in the debate of the treaty for the an
nexation of Hawaii, which was taken
up today. Senator Davis has given
notice that he will move an executive
session of the senate for consideration
of the treaty each day until the treaty
shall be finally disposed of. The pre-
vailing opinion is that the debate will
not be prolonged on the treaty, but
theories as to the length of time vary
all the way from a week to a month.
The opposition to the treaty assert
that they have no disposition to pro-
long the discussion, owing to their con-
fdence in their ability to defeat the
treaty. They claim 80 votes in oppo-
sition, and state that among these there
will be more than one Republican
Senator Morrill, adheres to his original
determination to oppose the ratification
resolution, and he is preparing speech
on that side of the question. The name
of Senator Money, on the Democratic
side, is added to the list of supporters
of the treaty, making five Democrats
who will certainly favor annexation.
Senator Butler, whose position has not
heretofore been generally known, yes
terday announced himself as opposed
to ratification.
1t may be accepted as true that If
| the opponents of annexation become
| thoroughly convinced that they can Sc
| cure the one-third vote necessary to
accomplish that end they will allow
| the vote to come without delay, reserv-
ing any dilatory tactics to which they
may be disposed to resort for use in con-
| nection with the consideration of the
joint resolution for annexation, which
would follow the defeat of the treaty.
This resolution would require only
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 at
tention, including especially the immi-
grafton and the census bills, the latter
affording a basis for speeches upon the
civil service. Senator Fairbanks has
given notice of a speech on the mmi-
grafton bill tomorrow, and Senator But
viding for the election of federal judges
by the people some day during the
week. Discussion of the financial ques-
tion is also among the probabilities.
The civil service debate, which has
been in progress in the house during the
past week. will probably be concluded
tomorrow, when the vote will be taken
on a motion to strike out the appro-
priation for the maintenance of the
commission. The motion is foredoome
to defeat, so that the political contri-
buttons to the literature of this veXed
question will ventuate nothing. The
debate, however, has served to define
the position of the members. The de-
bate 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.
It is claimed that a preliminary can
vass of the Republicans of the house
has developed a hundred on that side
who are willing to vote for a modifca-
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 II
wiped off the statute books, they would
probably command a majority. But
quite a NUMBER OF democrats WnOSt
hostility to the law is outspoken say
they win not vote for modification OF
the law, which will simply result in the
removal of Democrats from office anC
the substitution of Republicans. They
prefer, if 1t is not to be repealed, to SCI
the law stand as it is. The entire
POpulistic strength will oppose every
motion to repeal or modify the law.
After the legislative, executive ant
judicial appropriation bill is out Of thu
way either the agricultural or diplo
matte and consular bill will be taker
up. An urgent deficient deficiency bill
will also be ready, so that the remain
der of the week, except Saturday Sc
apart for paying tribute to the memor!
of the late Representative Milliken, o
Maine. will be occupied with apprO
pristion bills. The diplomatic and con
sular bin is very likely to cause ex
tended debate on the pending foreign
- uuestions-Cuba, Hawaii and the sit
uation in the Orient-any one of Whicl
could be made a fruitful theme of dis
cussion. 1t is understood to be the in
tention of the Democrats to force tn
Republicans to define the administra
tion's position toward Cuban independ
enoa durinP the debate.