Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-04
CONGRESSIONAL GRIND TO BEGIN
AGAIN AT NOON TO-DAY.
PLENTY OF WORK ON HAND
TREATY OF PEACE IS CERTAIN TO
HAVE RIGHT OF WAY.
No Doubt That 1t Will Be Ratificd
Without Amendment-Nicara
Canal Bill Is to Take Pre-
cedence of All Other
Legislation.

NAStilNHIoN, Jan. J.-CongreSS viii re-
convene to-morroy. in accordance with the
| terms of the holiday adjournment resou-
ton. The senate will almost Immediately
adjourn for the day as an evidence of re-
spect for the memory of Senator Morrill,.
1T Is customary not to transact any hus
ness whatever on such occasions, but there
is a possibility that a message may be re-
ceived from the president, transmitting the
peace treaty, as it is known to be the gem
eral desire that the treaty shall be formally
laid before the committee on foreign rela-
tions at the earliest possible moment, so
that the committee may make its report as
promptly as consistent with its duty in the
premises.
a session of the senate will be held on
Thursday, but there is Il movement look
ing to an adjournment from that date until
the following Monday, based upon the
probability that there will not be Il full at
tendance of senators so soon after the holi-
days. This plan will be antagoniZed by the
friends of the Nicaraguan canal and by
other senators who are champoninG eSpe-
cial measures, and it now appears quite
probable that they will be able to hold the
senate for at least another day OF the
week.
There will be two months. of the session
left, TO a day, from the date of reconven-
ing and the time will be fully occupied
planned None of the regular appropria-
ton bills has passed the senate. and the
river and harbor bill is to be added to the
regular list this session. No one regards
the treaty of less Importance than the sup
ply bills. and it Will be pressed along with
them when reported, practically without re-
gard to other bills
OF other measures of magnitude which
will press for consideration in the senate
during session he Mica plla
take precedence. but it will be urgently
pressed b. the Hawaiian government bill,
the anti-scalping bill and the interstate
commerce commission bill, to say nothing
Of the probability concerning measures for
the increase Of the standing army and
navy. Senator 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 ques-
tiOns demanding consideration in the few
weeks remaining. Every senator has a
number OF measures of less importance
The Nicaragua canal bill will command
the right OF way at the beginning of the
session, and will mold its place if it is made
evident that vote can be secured on il he
fore the appropriation bills and the treaty
are TO be taken up. If it cannot be dis
posed of before these are brought in, it will
ne ulSpIdttt from ~ liIlls
The friends of the bill maintain. however,
that debate is practically exhausted, and
they are hopeful of securing Il vote at Lo
very distant date. They profess to feel
very much encouraged by the preliminary
report of the Walker commission which
was made public last week. Senator cul-
lOm has givea~lotice of a motion to take
UP the anti-scaiping bill SO soon the
canal bill may be out of the way.
There is u growing belief that the treaty
will not be made the subject of d long
debate, and what, two weeks ago, was a
strong probability of its ratification. may
he said now to be a certainty. Nothing
less ithan some unforeseen emergency can
prevent the Sendte'S favorable action upon
it at the present session.
There are many features in the treaty
which many senators consider objection
able. but the fact that it is d treaty OF
Peace and that they, rule. have
nothing in its stead to offer. will prevent
any factfouS opposition. So far as the op-
ponents have plan, it is to let the treaty
so through, and then devote themselves to
shaping legislation consequent upon its
ratification. They may offer their amend
lnent committing this government against
an attempt to exercise sovereignty in the
Philippines. but they do not expect it to
become a part of the document.
The treaty will be discussed in executive
session. but the senators will continue 10
make speeches in the open senate on Sem
ator Vests anti-eXpansion resolution.
The consideration of a code of laws for
the territory of Alaska, reported from the
committee on the revision Of the laws,
is expected to take up the greater portion
of the legislative day in the house to-
custom it will adjourn some time during
the afternoon out of respect to the men,
ory of Senator Morrill,. Thursday is TO
be given to the committee on the judi
ciary, when a number of measures report
ed from it likely to be passed. There
is no fixed programme for the remainder
ha rlar ti1-.N 81,
and judicial appropriation bill may be
reported during the week, in which case
an effort will be made to secure consid-
Grafton of the measure by the house.