Evening journal., 1898-01-03
SENATE AND HOUSE.
Forecast of What Congress
Will Do This Week.
OUTLOOK FOR HAWAIIAN TREATY.
Reports From Washington Say That
From Present Indications the Annex
alton Treaty WIN FAN short of
Ratification by a Few votes.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.--The prevail-
Ing opinion among senators Is that very
little legislation VIII be attempted dur
ing the present week. The fact that
congress win not reconvene until We'd
nesday viii probably be taken by the
absentees TO mean that nothing will be
attempted until the following week, and
as consequence IL is doubtful whether
there viii be a quorum present in the
senate on Wednesday in which event
there viii probably be an early adj
journment until the following day, and
then an adjournment until Monday. In
any event Il is not probable that any
important questions will be raised dur
ing the present week.
The general understanding is. howev-
er, that the work OF the session will be-
gin in real earnest after this week and
that henceforth there will be no justi-
fcatlon Of the complaint Of dullness OF
the proceedings. Among the questions
which viii engage early attention are
the Hawaiian annexation question, the
claim of Mr.. Corbett 10 a seat ia the
senate from Oregon, the immigration
bill and the financial question. In all
probability the committee on privileges
and elections viii meet during the pres
ent week, and the chances are that an
early report on the Corbett case will
be ordered, even though IT may not be
favorable. IL is not believed that there
viii be any serious antagonism to the
immigration bill, but there may be con-
siderable time consumed in speeches
upon the subject.
1t is probable that Senator Davis,
chairman Of the committee on foreign
relations, win make an effort during
the present week to get a day fixed for
taking up the annexation treaty, and
there Is no apprehension OF any objec-
tion 10 naming a day in the early fu-
ture. The plan OF the supporters OF the
treaty is TO take the question up in eX-
ecutive session on a resolution of gati-
fiation and to debate the treaty for a
few days In executive session, pursuing
this course long enough to determine
their strength and commit those who
profess 20 be with them. III they find
that they have the necessary twO-thirds
to secure ratification they win press on
TO the end, but II they discover them
selves TO be deficient in voting strength
they VIII change their policy and take
up the question OF annexation on Sem
ator Morgan's resolution TO that end
The present indications are that the
treaty as such viii fail OF ratification
by from two to six votes. but friends OF
the agreement have not lost hope that
they will succeed In securing the entire
go votes necessary TO ratify. They claim
that they have been making headway
In securing votes during the recess and
are hopeful Of stlll adding TO the num-
Der. They 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
liable TO come to them. The circum.
stance which has done most TO improve
the chances of the treaty is the con-
duct of the European powers IN appar.
emily 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 Ha.
waiian matter, and there is no denying
that this view has made some impress
sion with senators who have hereto.
fore been classed as doubtful.