The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-25
WEEK IN CONGRESS
A Formal Declaration of War VIII be
Made in Response to the ne
quest of the President.

washington April "A 1t is the cNpec-
tation in the senate that the week VIII
begin with the receipt of message from
the president asking that congress sha'i
make a formal declaration ol VIZ anu
that there will be a quick response TO the
request. There has been some appreh@h-
sion that there might be a renewal OF the
effort to secure a recognition Of the IN
dependence of the Cuban insurgents III
connection with war declaration, but he
best information now is that this VIII
not be undertaken, and that there VIII De
practically no opposition in the senate
to a war resolution.
The senate will sesume consideration
of the naval appropriation bill at the
earliest moment The only disputed point
undisposcd of in connection with the
naval bill is the provision in regard to thc
price of armor in which Senators TIL
man and Butler are making an effort to
have reduced from Si00 to $500 after the
three battleships now building are sup
piled.
The senate also will take up the army
reorganizat tion bill as soon as 1t can De
reached after it is reported from the
committee on military affairs by which 1t
will be given prompt consideration. This
committee will also take cOgnizance Of
the supposed defects in the volunteer
army bill with a view to correcting them
if found as serious az reported.
1T is not believed that the war revenue
bill will receive consideration from the
senate this week owing to the probable
ity that it will meet with sufficient oppo-
Sition in the finance committee to delay
it there for some time. The Democrats
will seek to eliminate the bond feature of
| the bill and they may attempt to incor-
| porate a provision for an income tax
when the bill reaches the committee, and
| a stubborn contest is promised both IN
| the committee and in the senate.
IN THE HOUSE.
| If the president sends a message to con-
gress tomorrow asking for a declaration
| of war as it is now ANTICIPATED the re-
sponse will be prompt and emphatic.
In order to show the world that all
| factional divisions have ceased and that
| the representatives of the American peo-
| pie are arrayed in solid and imposing
| phalanX behind the chief executive, the
| declaration of war will be passed with
| out a word of debate and upon the roll
! call it is not likely that there will be a
dissenting voice Following the decara-
! ton of war the house viii proceed to the
work of providing the sinews with which
| to prosecute it, But upon this bill of war
taxes there will not be unanimity. The
| Republicans and Democrats hold widely
| divergent views as TO the methods by
| which the revenues to carry on the wal
| should be raised. 1t is not thought, how
/ ever, that the Democrats will make a
| long opposition.
! The chief amendment the Democrats
| desire to offer is for an income tax which
| they believe can be framed to meet the
! decision of the Supreme court They be.
| lieve a considerable proportion of the wal
| tax should be raised from this source
| They are also opposed to some of the
| provisions of the stamp tax which they
believe will offer propositions in leu
! thereof for a tax of 80 cents per barre
| on petroleum ana a graduated tax or
| railroad and other transportation tick.
cts, both of which propositions We're con,
| sidered by the Republicans of the ways
| and means committee, but rejected There
! Is also considerable opposition to the bonC
feature of the bill on the Democratic side
and a motion will undoubtedly be made
| to strike II ont