The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-13

WASHINGTON. Feb 12.-The house VIII
ing three weeks Of the session to devote TO
anything except appropriation bills. Yet
there are a number Of measures Of great
importance which viii press for considera-
ton Much pressure is being brought upon
the committee on rules for another day for
the passage Of public building bills, TO
which the houseN last week devoted two
days In committee OF the whole. and their
request VIII probably be acceded 10. but
hardly during the coming week. The an
nouncement of Chairman Cannon that
there was no time 10 consider the steam
ship subsidy bin and the Nicaragua canal
bill settles the fate OF the former.
The friends OF the latter are TO try a
flank movement by attempting TO attach
the canal bin TO the sundry civil bill, now
under consideration. As il will be the only
chance the bill will have at this session. its
supporters will make a desperate fight.
Time must be given for the consideration
OF the bill! for the government Of Hawaii
but Il also, for the present. must give way
to the appropriation bills. Five OF the
great annual budgets still remain unacted
on by the house. and as they are the most
important Of the appropriation bills. it will
require practically ali the remainder OF the
session to put them through and consider
the conference reports upon the other ap-
preparation bills as they are brought In.
This viii undoubtedly prove 10 be the case
Ii the opposition shows disposition 10 de-
bate the various propositions as they are
brought into the arena. And this seems
Elafx l1rsr ~ W.
OF the session tie opposition was passive.
but i; Seems 70 have been aroused by the
debate on the army Reorganization bin and
within the past week has become quite ag
gressive. The threat Of an extra session
appears to hold no terrors for the Demo-
Gratis and the Populis;s; indeed. some Of
them would apparently welcome 1t. espe-
ciaIly If It were called TO increase the size
Of the regular army.
Tomorrow the consideration OF the sun3ry
civil bill for amendment under the Eve min
ute rule vii be resumed, It's scope has
been enlarged and complicated by the at
tempt to place the canal bill Upoa II as "A
rider and IL is difficult to predic; how
many additional days VIII be required 10
pass It, The whole question OF the receipts
and expenditures OF the government the
deficiencies and the possibility q a bond
issue is likely 10 be thoroughly ventilated
AS an unemharrassod proposition. the Me
aragua canal bill would doubtless com
Inand a very strong majority IN the house.
but with the power OF the appropria lions
committee and the threat OF a bond issue
thrawn In the baaancs against II. and the
likelihood that 10 get direct vote upon Il
wiil require i reversal Of the ruling of
the chair. K IS exceedingly doubtful wheth-
er it can carry.
As soon as the suudry civil bill Is out q
.he way she fort1deatlons bin will follow
ard the other three appropriation bills in
the following order. Naval. army an1
general deficiency. Both the naval and
army bits. In view of the existing sltUa-
t.on. VIII furnish taxtS ,or the discussion
ot our future policy and may D. profile ot
laux struggles Altogether. & would seem.
unIess the opposition resumes a passive
attitude, t5at the 2soase wl,l have rs hands
fl3ii for the gemaiasicr Of TIE session ia
getting through the appropriation bills