New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-04
RATIFICATION A CERTAINTY.
NO DOUBT IN WASHINGTON OF FAVOR
ABLE ACTION on PEACE TREATY.
THE PRESIDENT MAY SEND 1T TO THE SENATE
TODAY ACCOMPANIED BY A BRIEF
MEssAGE-oTHER BUSINESS
BEFORE CONGRESS.


TO-DAY. ACCOMPANIED BY BRIEF
MEssAGE-oTHER BUSINESS
BEFORE CONGRESS.
Washington Jan. 3.-Congress will reconvene
to- morrow in accordance with the terms OF the
holiday adjournment resolution. The Senate
viii almost Immediately adjourn for the day as
an evidence OF respect for the memory or SEN
ator Morrill, 1t IL not customary to transact
any business on such occasions. but there Is a
possibility that a message may be received from
the President Transmitting the peace treaty. as
II IL known to be the general desire that the
treaty shall formally be laid before the Com
mlttee Foreign Relations at the earliest pos
sbe moment. so that the committee may make
it's report as promptly as IL consistent with It's
duty.
Although a tempting opportunity is Of
fered to him for the presentation OF forci-
bic argument for speedy ratification In the shape
OF a ringing message TO Congress on the subject.
President Mckinley has decided TO leave the
presentation OF the merits OF the treaty to its
friends in the Senate. Accordingly. the treaty
will go 10 that body with the briefest possible
message of transmission by the President
Although It is admitted unofficially that the
text OF the treaty has been accurately published
in the newspapers. the President still insists on
maintaining official secrecy a courtesy to the
Senate which will have the privilege Of making
the treaty public at its own discretion
40 FACTIOUs OPPOSITION.
There IS growing belief that the treaty
will not be made the subject OF long debate
and what two weeks ago was a strong prop
ability OF its ratification may be said now TO he
a certainty. Nothing less than some unforeseen
emergency can prevent the Senate's favorable
action on It at the present session. There are
features in the treaty which many Senators
consider Objectionable. but the fact that II Is
a treaty OF peace and that they, "a rule. have
nothing 10 offer In place Of It will prevent any
factious opposition. So far as the opposition
have a plan IL is 10 let the treaty go through
and then devote themselves to shaping legisla
ton consequent upon It's ratification. They may
offer their amendment committing this Govern
ment against an attempt to exercise sovereignty
in the Philippines but they do not expect it to
become part OF the document
The treaty will be discussed in executive ses-
sion but speeches will continue TO be made in
open senate on Mr.. Vests anti-expansion reso-
luton.
TWO MONTHS MORE OF THE SESSION.
A session Of the Senate will be held on Thurs
day. but there is a movement looking to ad-
Monday based the probabt that there
will not be full attendance of Senators soon
after the holidays This plan will be antago-
nized by the friends Of the Nicaragua Canal and
by other Senator'S who are championing special
measures and II now appears 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 10
a day from the date of re0onvenng. and the
time viii he fully occupied II hair the work
planned is 10 be done. None OF the regular ap-
proprlation bills have passed the Senate, ana the
River and Harbor hill is 10 be added to the list
this session. None regard the peace treaty as
OF less Importance than the supply bills. and II
will be pressed along with them when reported
practically without regard To other bills
OF other important measures which Will press
for consideration in the Senate the Nicaragua
Canal bill will take precedence but II VIII be
urgently pressed by the Hawaiian Government
bill the Anti Scalping bill and the Interstate
Commerce Commission bill. TO say nothing OF
the probabilities concerning measures FOR the IN
crease Of the standing Army and Navy. senator
Elklns and other friends Of that measure VIII
also continue to urge the Dill regulating the
registration Of foreign built vessels wrecked In
American waters. These are only the most i'm
portant questions demanding consideration In
the few weeks remaining. Every Senator has
number Of measures Of less importance.
NICARAGUA CANAL BILLS PROSPECTS.
The Nicaragua Canal bill will command the
right Of way at the beginning Of the session. and
will hold its place if il is made evident that a
yo.e can be secured on it before the Appropria-
tion bills and the peace treaty are taken up. lf
Il cannot be disposed of before these are brought
in. il will be temporarily displaced from time to
time The friends Of the bill maintain. however
that debate ls practically exhausted ana they
are hopeful Of securing vote at no distant date
They profess to feel greatly ENCOURAGED py the
nreliminary report OF the walker Commission
which was made public last week. Senator Cui-
ION has given notice OF a motion TO take up the
Anti -Scalping bill as soon as the Canal Dill Is
out Of the way.
PROGRAMME IN THE HOUSE
The consideration Of a code OF laws FOR the
Territory OF Alaska reported from the Commit
toe on Revision OF the Laws. Is expected TO take
nm the greater portion OF the legislative day in
tho House tomorrow II that body follows IFS
usual custom Il will adjourn some time In the
afternoon out Of respect TO the memory OF Sena-
for Morrill, Thursday IL 10 be given To the
Committee on the Judiciary. when number or
measures reported from IL are likely 10 be
nassed There is fixed programme for the
remainder OF the week The Legislative. Exec
u,ive and Judicial Appropriation bills may De
rsnorted this week. In which case an effort VIII
hs made TO secure IT'S consideration by the
House.
SENATOR PERKINS AGAINST EXPANSION.
ur SEEKS INSTRUCTIONS FROM CALIFORNIA