Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-19
Seth CONGRESS-.
There Is No Lack Of Business
Ahead for Both Houses.
The Loud Bill for Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday in House.
Senate Program Depends on Progress on
Puerto hican Tariff Bill.

Washington, March 1S.-TomOrrow
will be District of Columbia day in the
House; Tuesday, the Loud bill relating
to second-class mail matter will come
up under a special order setting aside
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
for its considerable and Friday,
under the rule, will be given to private
pension legislation unless that order
is superseded by the army appropria-
ton bill which is on the calendar.
Tomorrow, before the District business
is taken up, the Puerto Rican relief
bill with Senate amendments probably
will be agreed to without much oppO-
sition.
Gen. Joseph Wheeler may present
himself at the bar Of the House to be
sworn in, sometime during the week
So far as can be learned there is no
objection on either side to his admis-
sion if his resignation as a brigadier
general in the army shall have been
accepted before he presents himself.
The case, however, may be referred to
committee.
The st. Louis representatives are
earnestly laboring to secure considera-
tlcil III "a I'LL tipDIppI S0rV''rVpV
for the worlds exposition to celebrate
the centennial anniversary Of the
Louisiana purchase in 1903. but thus
far have failed to secure the consent
of the powers that be in the House.
II now looks as though the week in
the Senate would be spent largely in
waiting upon the special Republican
.s.,. n
monte the party on the proposed
Puerto Rican legislation. The Puerto
Rican governmental bill will continue
to hold its place on the Senate calen-
dar as the unfinished business and
some desultory speeches doubtless will
be made upon ii: but it will not be
pressed as it would lie if there was
hope Of soon passing it. The Republic
can senators are opposed to present
action on the bill and no effort will be
made to arrive at final results until
the caucus committee makes its re
port.
In the meantime the appropriation
bills on the calendar will receive atten-
ton. These are the legislative and the
Indian bills. There is one amendment
suggested 10 the legislative bill by the
appropriations committee which may
arouse considerable. debate and open NJ
the Philippine question. This is the
item providing for the establishment Of
a hydogra phic office at Manila. Oppo-
sition senators recognize the POSSIBLE
ties Of this amendment as a basis for
discussion but they are not fully de-
cided to avail themselves of it. In CON
nectiDn with the Indian bill the expen-
ditures authorized to be made by the
Dawes commission probably will be
discussed.
Senator Mason has given notice Of
the renewed effort to call up his reso-
luton Of sympathy with the Beers,
Monday. but says he does not desire
to speak upon il. The Senate leaders
consider his resolution unwise at this
juncture.
There is difference Of opinion as to
whether under the agreement TO take
up the Quay resolution for consdera-
ton, April 3, it can be called up even
for speeches in the interim 1t is prob
able, however, that some addresses
may be presented on the subject dur
ing the present week if no other matter
presses for consideration. An effort
will be made by Senator Davis to take
up the Spanish claims bill.
In executive session there will be an
attempt made to secure the confirma-
ton of w. ID. Bynum as appraiser at
New York, which attempt does not
promise to be Immediately successful
The Hay-Pauncefote treaty will be
considered if opportunity permits, but
the present indications are against an
early move in that direction.
The caucus of the Puerto Rican COM
mittee will begin in its sessions in
earnest. Monday. and a strenuous en-
deavor will be made to have the bill
in such shape as to make it acceptable
to practically all the Republican sena-
tors al as early date as possible.
Senator Foraker is now engaged in
preparing amendments to the govern
mental bill and he will exert himself
to the utmost to perfect the bill dur
ing the present week. If he succeeds
in drafting a bill which the Republi-
cans will accept the measure will then
be pressed with all the speed and
energy possible.