The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-28
HOUSE roREcAST.

Washington, February " The hopse
leaders have been stldinpg ail thcir en-
ergies to expedite the APPROPRIATION bis,
with IA View to an early adjournment, urd
they are succeeding hoyoad their ncsi
sanguine expectations, Not in a quarter 81
century have the appropriation biils ltcn
80 far advanced In the long session 10
they are at this time. only three ~ tue
thirteen regular bills remain IN toln'pHNne.
The other ten have gone through phe or
mere legislative stages AMI pe~'the a''if-
tary hcademyis in the han'ls OF the rreS-
idcnt awaiting his Aigda,nre. The confi
lion OF the other nine pills Ia as follows
The pension bill has passed both houses.
aud the differences have been agreed upon
ia conference The legislative, executive ana
judicial, the army, the Qualifications aud
the agricultural bills have passed both
houAes and The differences are being I'D
justad In conference; the senate amend
meuts to the diplomatic and consular bill
have been agreed upon by the house com
mittpc on foreign a'taiis, ard the bill only
awaits confirmation OF this action by inc
house before going TO the president. the M
dian bill has passed the senate. and tho
amendments placed on the bill there are
being considered by the house committee
tho District of Columbia bill which has
passed The house, IS still In The senate com
mltteo, and the aundrX gieii bill VIII prod
ablv pans lie holho tonolrow.
,)f the three Bills stll nnrenorted 20 The
house, both the naval and pos;onlca await
contingent developments btfore they eau
he completed, The naval bill ia practically
completed. save for the provisions for dry
docks aud new sbipr On both thosf prep
arations the developments OF the next rev
days are expected to control The aetion or
the committee. II the board OF inquiry into
the Maine disaster should render finding
which portends strained relations with
Spain the most liberal provision VIII be
made both for dry docks and ships. IL the
explosion nf the Maine was not accidental
ii is most certain chat two battleshps VIII
be provided for. one recommended By the
secretary of the navy and one 20 replace tho
Maine. aud that at least one OF the new dry
docks recommended VIII be authorized. Ia
Gaze the Maine disaster IL found TO have been
caused by an accident II is probable no
provision for battieships VIII be made IN
the new bill.
Thu completion OF The postofflce bill de-
ponds upon the action OF the bonae on the
Loud Bill relating TO second class mail
matter, which II 70 be acted on thls week.
The general deficiency bill " always the
last OF the bills 10 be reported. az II In
nludes such deficiencies and other Items as
must BE provided for at the close OF every
session.
with the appropriation bill and the I'M
migration bill. tho confederation Of which
has been set Tor March Ii. out OF the way
nothing remnins n prolong this session of
congress save the question OF the annexu-
tlon OF Hawaii or gar, The leaders o.
both stiles. looking ahead eliminating both
thege subjects as probabilities or possibiIl-
Ties Of delay. agree that the appropriation
bills should be paqscd an; congress Should
be rnady 70 adjourn curly IN May. II such
a contingency as war should niiae II would
be necessary for congress 10 act both IN the
formal declaration Of war and In furnish
ing ways and means for ils prosecution.
with regard % the Hawaiian annexation
busluesX. no doubt exists that II the pres
en- treaty Is abandoned IN the senate no
move FOR annexation bv legislative enact
mcnt viii he Initiated by the house. The
sentiment both among the friends ard cp-
ponnnta OF annexation IN the hnuHe w that
after the long cDDteFt at the other end o.
the capitol the senate should retain iuriH-
dieilon Of the subject
Speaker Ered MAKES the statement o. his
personal opposition 10 annexation, ana sew
eraI republican members like Cannon OF IL
Hno.s. Walker OF Massachusetts,. Johnson ~
Indiana are uutspoken against w. The
large majority OF The republicans. however,.
ARE OF course In favor Of the admlnistri-
tons policy. many Of i'iem enthusiastically
so. Chairman Hiti OF the foreign affairs
Is placed among the supporters
OF annexation. but II Is probable the real
brunt of the battle, n the contest Ii trans
ferred 10 the house al this session will be
borne BY General Grpsyencr OF Ohio ard
General Hepdesson Of Iowa. both of whom
are enthusiastic IN their supnort OF 1t.
AZ stated. Indications all point 20 a con-
certed plan on the part Of the enemies Of
81 11lh ends OF the capitol TO
hurry through the approximation bills and
adjourn beforc action can he had IN the
Joint resolution IN the senate
The prnsrauirs snr the house for Tbs
coming week Includes the completion Of the