Evening star., 1898-03-05
Consideration to Be Pressed at the
First Opportunity.
A TWO HOURS SECRET CONFERENCE
Charges Against Ex-Representative
Ewart Taken Up.
INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL

The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions held two-hours sitting today in an
effort to decide upon what course to pur-
sue with reference to the Hawaiian
nexation treaty. When the meeting ad-
journed the members refused absolutely
to give out any information to the press.
saying that all present had pledged them
p selves to absolute secrecy.
1t was learned through other senator's.
however. that the committee had under
3 consideration the advisabiiity of taking up
the question of annexation in the way of
legislation rather than by the means of rat
flying the treaty. and that they had de-
cided not to abandon the treaty, but to
press its consideration upon the Senate at
the first opportunity. They declined to say
even to senators what might lie their
course later. confining themselves to the
declaration that they would seek to have
the Senate go into executive session again
for the consideration of the treaty as soon
the appropriation bills could be gotten
out of the way.
Charges Against Judge Ewart.
The subcommittee of the Senate commit
tee judiciary conducting the investiga-
tion into the charges against Judge H. g.
Ewart of North Carolina was IN session
today. examining witnesses who had been
Butler. There are forty-four of these wit
nesses present, and the hearing will neces-
sarily be extended into next week. Senator
Butler. who is the author of the charges.
sat with the committee and asked the wit
nesses many questions calculated to elicit
Information on the points at issue.
Ryan-Brewster Contest.
The contested election case of Ryan
against Brewster. from the thirty-first New
York district, was argued before House
committee elections No. 2 today. Mr..
Brewster had $40 plurality on the face Of
the returns Mr.. Ryan's contest is based
upon the allegation that the law of New
York state permitting the use of the ina
chine ballot which was used in Rochester
contravenes the federal statutes requiring
the votes to be cast by ballot. The con-
testee maintained that the machine ballot
was legal Salisbury and Ward appeared
for the contestant and James B. Perkins
for the cOntestee.
Indian Bill In Committee
The Indian appropriation bill. as amended
in the Senate. will be called up in the
House next week and sent to conference
The bill came to the House from the Sem
ale with seyenty-two amendments, many
OF Them important. and including the free
homes provision. that for the disposition
or the gilsonite lands in Utah. and for the
A"'4-Ne- IOi VI sSNeIdl Inulstn lreatleS. In
Stedd OF gong Immediately 10 conference,
as Is usual, the bill has been in charge of
the regular House Indian committee The
latter without any opposition. has voted
10 disagree to all the Senate amendments,
except the g11sonite clause. which is to be
concurred IN, with amendment and the
seminole Indians agreement is to be
amended by adding the kiowa agreement.
Representative Eddy of Minnesota has
given notice to the committee that when
the bill is called up in the House he will
move to concur in the Senate amendments
for the free homestead legislation. This
will be stubbornly fought, the commit
tee has decisively voted II down.