The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-25

Congress Will Act Quickly on Presi-
dents Message When Presented.


WASHINGTON. gApriI 24.-If the Presi-
dent sends a message to Congress to-mor-
row asking for declaration of war, as is
now anticipated, the response will be
prompt and emphatic Now that war has
been entered on even those congressman.
like Mr.. Johnson, of Indiana, and Mr.. Loud,
of California; who hung back protesting to
the last. have sunk their individual views
in the common cause, and all are now anx-
ious to give to the President a united sup
port in every measure deemed essential or
necessary to prosecute the war to a speedy
and successful conclusion. In order to show
the world that all factional divisions have
ceased and that the representatives of the
American people are arrayed in solid and
imposing phalanx behind the chief execu-
tive the declaration of war will be passed
without word of debate and on the roll
call it is not likely that there will be
dissenting voice. Following the declaration
of war the House will proceed to the work
of providing the sinews with which to prose-
cute it. But upon this there will not be
unanimity
The Republicans and the Democrats hold
widely divergent views as to the methods
by which the revenues with which to carry
opposition, however, will be offered by the
minority. The leaders of the minority are
extremely anxious, and they will insist, so
far as they are able, upon presenting such
substitute propositions as are in line with
their ideas and doctrines for the bill framed
by the Republican members of the ways
and means committee which Chairman
Dingley introduced in the House yesterday
The Democrats of the House, especially the
leaders and the members of the ways and
means committee, feel aggrieved because
they have neither been consulted nor had a
voice in the preparation of the war revenue
measure. In the face of 81 foreign enemy
they say they have sunk party considera-
tions and have voted to uphold the hands
of the President and they believe that in
raising war revenue, inasmuch as they are
expected to acquiesce, they should have had
a share. For the Republicans to meet in
secret and prepare a measure strictly ac-
cording to their own ideas they maintain
is a display of partisanship such as should
not have been given at such a time. The
bill will not be presented to them formally
until tomorrow morning, and Chairman
Dingley expects to get it before the House
during the day. He thinks the bill should
pass and go to the Senate by Tuesday night
at the latest. The Democrats will protest
against this expedition, but will probably
not carry their opposition beyond that. Mr..
Bailey, the Democratic leader, and other
Democrats realize the necessity for prompt
action and while they feel they have been
unfairly treated under the circumstances
they will make no factious opposition.
They are particularly DESTROYS of the OPP
portunity to present substitute propositions
for various features of the bill as prepared.
Mr.. Bailey said they would probably be
willing to forego general debate if an ar
rangement could be made to consider the
entire bill for amendment under the five
minute rule. The chief amendment they de-
sire to offer is for an income tax which
they believe can be passed to meet the
decision of the Supreme Court. They be-
lieve a considerable proportion of the war
tax should be raised from this source. They
are also opposed to some of the provisions
of the stamp act, which they believe will
prove onerous and irritating, and it is like
ly they will offer propositions in lieu thereof
for a tax of 80 cents per barrel on petroleum
and graduated tax on railroad and other
transportation tickets, both of which propo-
sitions were considered by the Republicans
of the ways and means committee, but re-
jected.
There is also considerable opposition to
the bond feature of the bill on the Demo-
cratic side and whether with unanimity or
not motion will undoubtedly be made to
strike it out Mr. Bailey, however, is I'M
derstood to recognize the necessity for an
authorization for borrowing money Some
of the Popuiists desire an authorization for
an issue of greenbacks. The bond feature
of the bill will probably be bitterly attacked
The whole week in the House is likely to be
given largely to the consideration of war
measures, but such time as remains will
probably be consumed in disposing of two
election cases and other matters. Possibly
the general deficiency bill might be taken
up before the week closes.