The San Francisco call., 1898-01-10
Growing Opposition to the Treaty in the Sem
 ate.
Debate May Not Be Prolonged, as It Is Thought the Scheme
 Must Fail.
In the House Some Interesting For eign Questions May Come Up
 for Consideration.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House,

Call Office, Riggs House,
 Washington, Jan. g.
 Interest in the Senate proceedings for the week centers in the promised de- bate of the treaty for the annexation of Hawaii, which will be taken up on Monday. Senator Davis has given notice that he will move an executive session of the Senate for consideration each day until the treaty shall be. finally disposed of. The first effort on Monday will be to secure open doors for the debate This motion will be made by Senator Pettigrew of the op- position, but there is no likelihood that it will carry.
 The prevailing opinion is that the debate will not be prolonged on the treaty, but theories as to the length of time will vary all the way from a week to month. The opposition to the treaty assert that they have no dis position to prolong the discussion, ow- ing to their confidence in their ability to defeat the treaty. They claim thir- ty-five votes in opposition, and state that among these there will be more than one Republican. Senator Morrill, adheres to his original determination
 
 and he is preparing a speech on that side of the question. The name of Sen s;tor Money on the Democratic side Is added to the list of supporters of the treaty, making five Democrats who Will certainly favor annexation. Senator Butler (Pop.), whose position has not heretofore been generally known, to- day announced himself as opposed to ratification.
 It may be accepted as true that if the opponents of ratification become thor oughly convinced that they can secure the one-third vote necessary to accom- plish that end they will allow the vote to come without delay, reserving any dilatory tactics to which they may be disposed to resort for use in connection ith the consideration of the joint res olution for annexation which would 1ol- low the defeat of the treaty. This reso- lution would require only majority vote, and it is conceded on all nands that the annexationists have the neces- sary majority.
 In open session the calendar presents nlaay subjects that may receive atten- ton, including specially t',e immigra- tion bill and the census bill, the latter aff4rding a basis for speeCheS upon the civil serVice. Senator Fairbanks has given notice of a speech on the ,immi- grafton bill on Tuesday, and Senator l providing for the election of Federal Judges by the people some day during the week.
 Discussion of the financial question is also among the probabilities. Senator Davis is expected to open the Hawaiian debate with set speech on Monday, but there is a possibility that he will defer his main argument until later in the discussion.
 The civil service debate, which has been in progress in the House during the past week, will be concluded, prob ably, on Tuesday, when the vote will be taken on the motion to strike out the appropriation for the mainten- ance of the commission. The motion is foredoomed to defeat, so that the present contributions to the literature of this vexed question will eventuate in nothing. The debate, however, has served to define the position of the members. The debate has proved that comparatively few of the enemies of the system are willing to go to the length of voting for the repeal of the law. It is claimed that preliminary 1 canvass of the Republicans of the House has developed over 100 on the | side who are willing to vote for modi- fication of the law. IT with. these | could be combined the Democratic op- l ponents of the law, many of whom are dBdlIlSI lIlt idN anu OCSllC lO | see it wiped off the statute books, they could probably command a majority. | But quite a number of Democrats whose hostility to the law Is outspoken | say they will not vote for the modifi- | cations of the law, which, will simply result in the removal of Democrats | from office and the substitution of Re l publicans. They prefer, if it is not to | be repealed, to see the law stand as it | is. The entire Populistic strength will oppose every motion to repeal or modi- | fly the law.
 After the legislative, executive and | judicial appropriation bill is out of the way, either the agricultural or the dip i lomatic and consular bill will be taken up, and an urgency denciency will be ready, so that the remainder of the week, except Saturday, set apart | for paying tribute to the memory of i the late Representative Milliken of Maine, will be occupied with appropri- ation bills The diplomatic and con- sular bill is very likely to cause ex- tended debate on the pending foreign questions-Cuba, Hawaii. the situa- l ton in the Orient, etc, any one of which could be made fruitful theme of discussion. It is to be the intention of the Democrats to force the Republi- cans to define the administrators po-
 sition toward Cuba's independence during the debate