The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-20
RAPID WORK IS
NOW NECESSARY
Little Time Left for
Legislation. !
IMPORTANT BILLS IN SENATE
ARMY REORGANIZATION AND
THE APPROPRIATIONS.
Four Important Measures Not Yet
Received From the House Are the
Army, Navy, Fortifcations
and Deficiency Bills.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The week
will be busy one in the Senate. With
only twelve days of the session left all
Senators appreciate the necessity OF
very strict and close attention to bust
ness in order to get through the bills
which all 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 adjourn
ment for the last session of Congress.
There, however, are only comparative
ly few of these bills outside of the ap-
preparation bills which must neces-
sarily be acted upon before adjourn
ment, and If the Senate disposed of
these with the same facility that it has
used in getting rid of other important
bills during the past week. the session
will be closed up in good order and
with time to spare. The army reorgan-
ization bill and the census bill are In
reality the only two measures aside
from the appropriation bills upon which
final action would seem absolutely nee
essary. 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 of the Senate. Other
measures which will be pressed to a
certain extent are the Alaskan code
bill. the Hawaiian territorial organiza-
ton bill, and various other bills per-
tanning 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 the
bill by the military committee. Senator
HaWley, chairman Of the Committee on
Military Affairs, has given notice that
he will proceed to have the bill taken
up for consideration Immediately after
the disposal of the routine business
Monday morning. He VIII first ask for
unanimous consent to take the bill uD.
and If this is refused will make mo-
ton to this effect. There is no prob
ability that the bill will not be taken
up, as the Democrats as well as the
Republicans concede the necessity for
some legislation reasing the army to
cover the prese4 -nergency- With the
bill once before me Senate. Senator
Cockrell will proceed to give the rea-
sons of the opposition to a permanent
increase in the army, and he will be
followed by other Senators in the oppo-
sition so long as no disposition is man
ifested to abandon at least some por-
tons of the House bill.
The vital point of difference between
the two bodies 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 1t 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 a specified time, but
the Democrats generally manifest
disposition not to accept this change,
as they say it would leave the way
open for the Republicans to get the
legislation they want in the next Con-
gress by repeating the temporary pro-
vision. So far no tangible basis for a
compromise has been suggested on
either side, but some of the most influ-
entail members Of the Senate are work
ing to that end, and the prediction is
freely made that they will succeed be-
fore the close Of the session. It has
never been supposed that any common
ground would be found until the cham
pions on the two sides should have an
opportunity to test the metal of each
others weapons. This opportunity will
come Monday and it &c expected on
Tuesday chance will be found for
conference looking to an agreement.
This opportunity will be afforded by
taking up the river and harbor bill, If
present plans are carried into effect.
Of the supply bills, the senate now
has before it only tFc oostoffice appro-
priation bill and the river and harbor
bill. OF these the poStoffice bill has re-
ceived 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 be
an effort to defeat the Nicaragua canal
amendment onva point Of order.
There are still four important appro-
priation bills. namely, the army, navy,
Notifications and deficiency bills which
have not vet been received from the
House of Representatives.
Senator Cullom says he will make an
effort to get up the general bill provid-
ing a government for Hawaii, but the
chances of success are very slim. Sen
ator Fairbanks will also undertake to
call UP the bin extending the anti-con-
tract labor laws to- Hawaii. There may
be an effort TO amend this measure and
it also may fail. Senator Carter will
continue to press the Alaskan Dill When-
ever opportunity affords.
The Sampson Schley controversy will
almost certainly come UP in executive
session. The anti-scalping bill will be
abandoned. For the rest, there are
many minor bills on the calendar which
will give the Senate plenty to do when
It is not engaged with the more mo-
mentous questions. Wednesday will be
devoted to the reading Of Washington's
farewell address and to eulogy on the
late Senator Morrill,.
Coursing at Sacramento.