The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-26

WASHINGTON, March 25-The Senate
will give the greater share OF it's time this
week TO the Porto Rican question. and the
outlook is for a continuation of the ami
mated scenes of last week Porto Rico,
however, according to the present indica-
tions, will step aside temporarily at the
beginning of the week in order 10 afford
Senator Carter an opportunity TO secure
consideration for his Alaskan code bill.
The present condition OF affairs in Alaska
and the prospect of a still greater influx OF
people into that territory make the Alaskan
legislation very important, and the condi-
tion of Porto Rican legislative affairs is
such as to make it convenient to give Alas
ka the much-desired opportunity.
The Republican caucus will take the
Porto Rican question I'm hand again to-mor-
row. and until IL acts the senator's having
charge Of the measure will not desire to
press IL. The Alaskan bill probably viii
not arouse any general debate. but the
measure is a mass of detail and it neces-
sarily will call for more or less expiana-
ton from its trainers, the members OF the
committee on territories.
The Republican senator's who support the
House Porto Rican tariff bill hope TO gel
the measure out of the caucus after only
one sitting. but the free-traders are not so
anxious on that score. and the latter ele-
ment may delay matters there. as they are
disposed TO do in the Senate. with the hope
of receiving still further announcement
from the country at large. Some of the
members of the free-trade Republican ele-
ment declare their purpose to vote against
the bill If reported without amendment.
They threaten TO offer many amendments
and TO make speeches I'm opposition ana
otherwise TO do all in their power to pre-
vent the passage Of the bill as IL stands.
but the caucus, Of course. may find q
means of preventing this open rupture. At
any rate. strong effort will be made In that
direction. The Democratic senators will
support free-trade amendment when pre-
sented, but they prefer TO have the bin
voted upon unamended.
According TO the agreement. the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Bynum to be appraiser at New
York should be taken up In the executive
session tomorrow but the Republican eau
Gus may cause postponement OF consIdera-
tion OF the nomination for a day or two.
The Democratic leaders will oppose con-
firmation. The committee on privileges and
elections will hear the arguments OF coun-
sci in the case OF Senator Clark. beginning
on Wednesday. The report on the case fs
not expected for several weeks.
The army appropriation bill will be taken
up by the House tomorrow and doubtless
will serve for q text for a wide latitude OF
discussion on military affairs I'm genera;
and the cost Of the war estimate under the
new condition OF affairs I'm anticipation OF
this an understanding has been reached
that three days viii be given TO the debate.
The bill itself carries no legislation on the
organization OF the army. but is strictly
a supply measure for the army on its pres
ent basis. The latter part OF the week
will be devoted 90 the naval. the agricul-
tural or the fortihcations appropriation
bills Although no exact order has yet been
fixed for taking them up. the naval bill
and report are ready. and acting Chairman
Foss Is rather desirous or having the naval
discussion follow that on the army. The
agricultural bill can be reported on short
notice and the fOrtihcations bill Is already
on the calendar.