The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-27
SENATE FORECAST.
An Early Vote on the Army Bill l.
Expected.


Expected.
Washington, Feb. 26.-The week will
open with the compromise army bill
still before the senate, but it is impos-
sibe to say how long it may continue
to demand the attention of that body.
The best opinion is to the effect that
vote will be secured Monday, but this
depends largely upon the temper of Mr.
German and his friends who insist
upon the amendment of the army bill
SO as to further curtail the size of the
army in 1901. 1t is not, however, be-
lieved that they will press their oppo-
sitor to the point of entering into an
extended controversy over the merits
of the measure, and the friends of the
bill count confidently on vote before
adjournment on Monday. Mr.. German
disclaims any intention to force delay,
but says he will press his amendment
as long as there is any chance of sue
cess. If the debate should be continued
to any considerable length, the action
would be generally accepted as indi-
eating purpose to force an extra SEES
sion, as all admit that with as many
appropriation bills as are pending, it is
impracticable to give very much more
time to the army bill and still pass the
supply bills before the fourth instant.
There is yet no danger of failure of
either the army bill or the appropria-
ton bills. No senator can be found
who avows himself as DESTROYS of fore
ing a called session. Hence the general
belief that all these measures will be-
come laws. and when congress adjourns
for the session next Saturday legisla-
ton will be in such shape as to render
it possible for the Legislators to remain
at their homes until next December
There is no doubt of the passage CT the
army bill by large majority when the
vote is taken.
The appropriation bills will demand
almost all the attention of the senate
after the army bill is out of the way,
and the senate will have to materially
increase the length of sessions in order
to secure their enactment into laws.
There are still five of these bills which
have not as yet received attention from
the senate, and five others which ara
in conference, and which require more
or less consideration in conference.
The bills in conference are those pro-
viding appropriations for the Indian
office, postoffice and agricultural Ge-
partments and for the District of Co.
lumbia, and for the improvement of
rivers and harbors. There are no radi-
cal points of difference in any of those
bills except in the river and harbor bill,
but there are many questions requiring
adjustment and they will necessarily
demand time for this purpose, The
river and harbor bill carries the Near
aqua canal provision and other addi-
tonal appropriations of large sums sos
money Five bills which have not been
reported to the senate are the sundry
civil, the naval, the army, the fort:fca-
tions and the general deficiency. All
are important and each will require
considerable time for disposal. Of these
five, the committee on appropriations
has considered. only the sundry evils
fate. The senate will get them all
through, however. unless unexpected
opposition should be developed to some
of them.
The calendar is full of bills Of pri-
vate and semi-private nature. and also
contains many measures of general
public importance. Many of these are
Objectionable to all the members of the
senate, and a majority of those of this
class will not pass.
The beginning of the day session will
probably be advanced to 10 or II O'Clock
each day of the week, and night ses-
sions are also counted upon for the
greater part Of it.