The age-herald., 1899-01-20
Work Before congress,

congress mas only tnlrIy-HNe HoFS days left, and yet not singular regular appropriation bill has reached the pres- dent. Two of them have been passed by both houses, but the senate added amend ments, and neither of the bills can be said to be out of either house. The appropra- ton bills will largly monopolize the time and attention of both houses. and even then they will doubtless be hurried through without due consideration. The mineral district of this state is particularly inter- ested in the river and harbor bill which is still in the house.
 The navy reorganization bill has passed the house, but its fate in the senate is uncertain. It is a valuable bill-one that the navy has long wanted. The bill puts the staff in the line, brings the pay of all to parity with the pay of army officers, abolshes prize money and provides for command rank for each officer by the time he reaches the age of forty-five. As we are building sixteen new vessels, and as the navy is confessedly to be carried to con siderable proportions, the need of the reor- ganizatlon bill is generally recognized. It will become law if it can be steered out of the talk whirlpool of the senate.
 The Nicaragua canal bill will probably go to the house this week, and it is believed it has friends enough in the house to ensure it's passage before the session is ended It is peculiarly subject to amendments, and some amendment may yet cripple bill that public sentiment plainly demands. Senator Morgan has waged a long fight, and if the bill becomes a law, no one will deny him the credit that is surely and legitimately his. But for his masterful leadership the conflicting interests would not have been harmonized to the extent of overcoming the lobby that is working against an inter- oceanic ship canal.
 The army reorganization bill is hung lip, but it vii be put through the house. This through the senate unless. erea-'e aHlaB4=u The administration will. u-e aHs years extension of the plesee a-- my law, and be contel ae country is in no mood -Har allowance of Algerism. a would permit the main r
 lar army at about 6d 9eh quite enough
 The peace treaty in the senate and an ap- propriation of $2o, o,O0oOOO under it are among the suspended legislation. These wait upon the orations of the noble senators. These orations are never read. Even the sum- maries of them are now read in headlines only. No one can see when the tide of oratory will be checked, but, as all things that an end will some day come to the fruitless treaty discussion. If the treaty, and it's correlative appropriation, should fail, an extra sesion would become imperative, because June 2 is the latest dace that rati- fication can be extended to under the terms of the treaty itself If, however, the treaty goes through, it is thought the country will be relieved of congressional action until next December. The administration pre- fers waiting policy, and the appointment of a Philippine commission and the working out of the Cuban military rule alike demand time, and congress will not be convened in extra session if such a course can be avoided. This means, of course. that we must go through another summer under the old quarantine methods, but perhaps the climatic conditions will be kinder to us than congress has been.