Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-04
TO REPORT PEACE TREATY
Senate Looks for Message on Subject Within
aFsw Days.
LITTLE MAY Be ACCOMPLISHED THIS WEE
Champions Of Nicaragua Canal Bill
VIII Press Attention, Closely
Followed by Hawaiian
Bill. -


convene tomorrow in accordance with the
terms OF the holiday adjournment resolu-
ton. The senate will almost Immediately
adjourn for the day as an evidence OF respect
for the memory Of Senator Morrill,. 1t Is
customary not to transact any business
whatever on such occasions but there is a
possibility that message may be received
from the president transmitting tue peace
treaty, as II Is known to be the general de-
sire that the treaty shall be laid before the
committee on foreign relations at the carli-
est moment.
A session OF the senate will be held on
Thursday, but there is movement looking
to an adjournment from that date until the
following Monday based upon the probabil-
iy that there will not be a full attendance
OF senators so soon after the holidays. This
plan will be antagonized by the friends Of
the Nicaraguan canal and by other senators
who are championing especial measures, and
now 1t appears quite probable that they will
be able to hold the senate for at least an
other day OF the week. There will be two
months OF the session left to a day from the
date OF convening and the time will be fully
occupied II half the work is to be done that
is planned. None OF the regular appropria-
tion bills have passed the senate and the
river and harbor bill Is to be added to the
regular list this session. None regard the
treaty OF less Importance than the supply
bills and 1t will be pressed along with them
when reported, practically without regard to
other bills.
Big Measures Coming Up.
OF other measures Of magnitude which will
press for consideration in the senate during
the session. the Nicaragua canal bill will take
precedence but 1t will be urgently pressed by
the Hawaiian bill. the antl-scalping bill and
the Interstate Commerce commission bill. to
say nothing of the probability concerning
measures for the increase of the army and
navy. Senators Elkins and other friends Of
that measure will also continue to urge the
bill regulating the registration OF foreign
built vessels wrecked In American waters.
These are only the most important questions
demanding consideration. Every senator has
q number OF measures Of less Importance.
The Nicaragua canal bill will command
the right of way at the beginning of the
session and will hold its place il It s made
evident shat vote can be secured on 1t
before the appropriation bills and the treaty
are to be taken UP. II 1t cannot be dis
posed OF before these are brought in. 1t
will be temporarily displayed from time
to time. The friends Of the bill maintain,
however, that the debate is practically tx.
hausted and they are hopeful Of securing
a vote at no very distant date. They pro-
fess to feel very much encouraged by the
preliminary report of the Walker commis-
sion. which was made public last week.
Senator Cullom has given notice of motion
to take up the anti-scalping bill as soon
as the canal bill may be out Of The way.
Short Debate on the Treaty.
There is growing belief that the treaty
will not be made the subject of a long de-
bate and what two weeks ago was strong
probability Of its ratification may be said
now to be certainty. Nothing less than
some unforeseen emergency can prevent the
senate's action on 1t this session.
There are features in the treaty which
many senators consider Objectionable, but
the fact that 1t Is a treaty Of peace and
they. as a rule. having nothing in its stead
to offer. will prevent any factious opposi-
tion. So far as the opponents have a plan,
1t Is to let the treaty go through and devote
themselves to shaping legislation consequent
on its ratification. They may offer their
amendment committing this government
against an attempt to secure sovereignty
in the Philippines, but they do not expect
1t to become a part Of the document. Tho
treaty will be discussed In executive session,
but the senators will continue to make
open speeches on Senator Vests anti-ex-
pansion resolution.
The consideration Of a code Of laws for
the territory Of Alaska, reported from the
committee on the revision Of laws, Is ex-
pected to take up the greater portion Of the
legislative day In the house tomorrow. II
that body follows it's usual custom 1t will
adjourn some time during the afternoon,
out Of respect to the memory Of Senator
Morrill,. Thursday is to be given to the
committee on the judiciary, when a num-
Der Of measures reported from it are likely
to be passed. There Is no fixed program
for the demainder Of the week. The exec
utive. legislative and judicial appropriation
bill may be reported during the week, in
which case an effort will be made to secure
consideration Of the measure nv the house