The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-03
TO FORCE A TEST VOTE
Silver Men in the Senate Want
to Know Where They Stand.
SPIRITED TIMES AHEAD
The Hawaiian Annexation Treaty Has
Solid Republican Support But 1t
Still May Lack Few Votes
of the Two-Thirds

Washington, Jan. 2.--The prevailing
opinion among senators is that very
little Legislation will be attempted dur
ing the present week The fact that
congress will not reconyene until We'd
nesday will probably be taken by the
absentees that nothing will be attempt
ed until the following week. and, as a
consequence, il is doubtful whether
there VIII be IA quorum present in the
senate on Wednesday, in which event
there will probably be an early adj
journment until Monday. In any event
1t IS not probable that any important
questions will be raised during the
week.
The general understanding is. how
ever, that the work of the session will
begin in real earnest after this week.
and that heneeforth there will be no
justification of the complaint of the
dullness of the proceedings Among the
questions which Will engage early at
tention are: The Hawaiian annexation
question, the claim of Mr. Corbett to a
seat in the senate from Oregon the
immigration and the financial ques-
tions. In all probability the committee
on privileges and elections will meet
during the present week, and the
chances are that an early report on
the Corbett case will be ordered even
though it may not he favorable The
iepupiltdH Slut bI the Gndfnpcf VIII not
be unit in Mr.. Corbetts interests.
Senator Burrows, of the committee
which has charge of the case. is pre-
pairing an exhaustive speech antagonis-
tic to Mr.. Corbett. and the opposition
is counting upon the assistance of still
others from that side of the chamber
1t is not believed that there will be
any serious antagonism to the immi-
grafton bill. but there may ne consider
able time consumed in speeches on the
subject.
1t is probable that Senator Davis.
chairman of the committee on foreign
relations. Will make an effort during
the present week to get time fixed for
taking up the annexation treaty, and
there is no apprehension of any OBJ
lection to naming a day in the early
future. The plan of the supporters of
the treaty is to take the question up in
legislative session on resolution of
ratification and to debate the treaty
for few days in executive session
pursuing this course long enough to
determine their strength ana commit
those who profess to be with them If
they find that they have the necessary
two-thlrds to secure ratification they
will press on to the end. but if they
discover themselves to be deficient in
voting strength they svil change their
policy and take up the question of an
nexation on Senator Morgan's resolu-
lloH IT. IIidl emu. lnPfe Is no doubt
that a majority of affirmative votes
can be secured. and that resolution
of this character can be passed if a
vote can be reached. The present in
dications are that the treaty as such
viii fail of ratification by from two to
SIX votes but friends of the agreement
have by no means lost hope that they
will succeed in securing the entire 80
votes necessary To ratify They claim
that they have been making headway
in securing votes during the recess and
are hopeful of still adding To that num-
Der. 1hey now assert that a solid vote
may be expected from the republican
side of the chamber. and that several
democrats who have been claimed by
the opposition are on the fence and LA
BILE to come to them. The circum-
stances which have done most to
prove the chances of the treaty is the
conduct of European powers in appar-
entity preparing for the partition of
China. Many senators feel that this is
an event which calls for prompt action
on the part of this country in the
Hawaiian matter, and there is no deny
ing that their views have some impress
sion upon senators who have heretofore
been classed as doubtful
The proposed explanation by Senator
Wolcott of the result of his bimetallic
mission to Europe is expected when
made up open up the discussion of the
attitude OF the administration on the
silver question. and the debate NAV be
sprung in advance of his speech The
pronounced free silver advocates are
determined to secure a test vote during
the session on the silver question Sem
ator Hale has decided to introduce the
Stanley Matthews resolution. declaring
for the payment of bonds i'm silver with
this end in view.
Senator Wolcott will in all probability
make a simple. straightforward state
ment avoiding all controverted points
as far as possible. but there are other
senators who will not be content to al
low the matter to drop there. and they
will seek TO open the question on the
position of the administration toward
international bimetallism. Mr.. Wolcott
does not expect 10 be able to present
his statement before the 18th Of the
month.
IN The HOUSE,