The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-20

crease. and There May be q
Conference - Nicaragua Canal
Bill May Make Trouble in the
House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19,-The week
will be busy one in the Senate. With
only twelve days of the session LETT all
Senators appreciate the necessity OF
very strict and close attention to busl-
ness in order to get through the DIS
which they admit must become laws IN
order to prevent an extra session OF
Congress.
Very rarely has it occurred that there
have been so many important measures
on the Senate calendar so short a time
before the final adjournment Tor the
last session of Congress. There, now
ever, are only comparatively rev OIL
these bills, outside of the appropriations
bills that must necessarily be acteo
upon before adjournment, and II the
Senate disposed of these with the same
facility that it has used in getting rld
of other important bills during the
past week the session will be closed
up in good order and with time to spare.
The army reorganization bill and the
census bill are in reality the only two
measures, aside from the Appropriation
bills. upon which final action would
seem absolutely necessary. The census
bill has passed both houses and is now
in conference, and is reasonably sure
of enactment in some shape. The army
bill is yet to receive the attention Oh
the Senate. Other measures which VIII
be pressed to a certain extent are the
Alaskan code bill, the Hawaiian terri
torial organization bill and various
other bills pertaining to Hawaii.
A contest over the army bill, which
was promised for last week was post
poned until the present week, largely
because the storm of the first days OF
the week prevented consideration OF Inc
bill bt the Military Committee. Sena-
tor Hawley, Chairman of the Commit
tee on Military Affairs, has given notice
that he will proceed to have the Dill
taken up for consideration Immediately
after the disposal of the routine bust
ness Monday morning. He will first
ask for unanimous consent to take up
the bill, and if this is refused, will
make a motion to- this effect. There is
no probability that the bill will not be
taken up. as the Democrats as well as
the Republicans concede the necessity
for some legislation increasing the
army to cover the present emergency.
With the bill once before the Senate.
Senator Cockrel will proceed to give
the reasons OF the opposition to per-
manent increase in the army and he
will be followed by other Senators in
the opposition so long as no disposition
IS manifested to abandon at least some
portions of the House bill.
The vital point of difference between
the two sides of the chamber is the
duration of time for which the increase
of the army is made. Republicans de-
mand that it shall be permanent and
the Democrats refuse to make it more
than temporary The latter declare
that they will not abandon their posi-
ton and say that whatever is done,
must be done with this understanding.
Some of the friends of the bill have
suggested the acceptance of the Hull
bill with an amendment making the
increase for only specified time; but
the Democrats generally manifest a
disposition not to accept this change.
as they say it would leave the way open
for the Republicans to get the legisia-
ton they want the next Congress by
repeating the temporary provision. So
far no tangible basis for compromise
has been suggested on either side, but
some of the most influential members
of the Senate are working to that end,
= It.f; t. do <I,.,f
they will succeed before the close of
the session. 1t has never been sup
posed that any common ground would
be found until the champions on the
two sides should have an opportunity
to test the metal of each others weap-
ons. This opportunity will come Mon
day. and it is said on Tuesday a chance
viii be found for conference looking
TO am agreement. This opportunity will
be afforded by taking up the river and
harbor bill, IL present plans are car
ried into effect.
OF the supply bills the Senate now
has before it only the Postoffice appro-
priation bill and the river and harbor
bill. OF these the Postoffice bill has
received partial attention, and the river
and harbor bill none. 1t is expected
that the sundry civil bill will be re-
ported late in the week. The river and
harbor bill will probably arouse con-
siderable discussion, and there will BIZ
an effort to defeat the Nicaragua Ca,
nal amendment on a point of order
There are still four important appro-
priation bills, namely. the army, navy
Qualifications and deficiency bills. which
have not yet been received from the
House of Representatives.
Senator Cullom says he will make ar
effort to get up the general bill pro.
viding a government for Hawaii. hui
the chances of success are very slim
Senator Fairbanks will also undertake
to cali up the bill extending the anti
contract labor laws to Hawaii Their,
may be an effort to amend this meas
ure, and it also may fail. Senator
Carter will continue to press the Alas
kan bill whenever opportunity affords
The Sampson-Schley controversy viii
almost certainly come up in executive
session. The anti-scalping bill will b,
abandoned. For the rest, there ar,
many minor bills on the calendar wheel
will give the Senate plenty to do whe,
it is not engaged in more momentou.
questions.
Wednesday will be devoted to tn
reading of Washngton's farewell ad
dress and to eulogies on the late Sen
ator Morrill,
The House enters upon the last tw.
weeks of the session tomorrow will
three appropriations, the army. fortifi
cations and general deficiency, unacte.
upon, and the naval bill but half com