New-York tribune., 1900-12-10
WHAT CONGRESS WILL DO.
FORECAST OF WEEKS WORK OF BOTH
HOUSES-NO BUSINESS ON
WEDNESDAY

Washington Dec. 9.-The Senate will continue
10 give it's attention TO the Hay y-Pauncefote
Treaty and the Ship Subsidy bill the present
week. taking up first and the other as suits
the convenience OF those who may wish to speak
on the two measures. In the last session Of
Congress the Nicaraguan Canal bill was made
the special order of business for Monday. but
the establishment of the Ship Subsidy bill as
the regular order will have the effect Of dis
placing the Canal bill. preference being given
under the Senate rules to a regular order over
a special order. 1t is understood that Senator
Morgan, who has charge of the Canal bill, viii
not press that measure until the treaty for the
abrogatiOn of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty is dis
posed Of On this account the friends or the
Subsidy bill do not apprehend that he will make
any opposition to the continuance Of the con-
sideration Of that measure He has indeed said
that he would be content to allow his bill to fol-
low closely in the wake of the Subsidy bill
Three or four set speeches are promised in op-
position to the Subsidy bill. and it is expected
that most If not all of those already in sight
will be made this week. Among those who prob
ably will speak on the subject are Senators Clay
Vest and Berry, all Of whom oppose the bill
Senator Vest is an especial advocate of free
ships.
There are differences of opinion to what
effect the taking OF a vote on the fortifcation
amendment to the treaty will have upon the
time Of dsposing of that instrument. but ma
jority of the Senators express the opinion that
the vote upon the treaty itself will follow very
Soon after the vote upon the amendment. The
indications are that the amendment will be
adopted and that as thus amended the treaty
will be ratified Opponents of the treaty will
offer other amendments. but they do not count
upon having them favoraby acted upon.
The Senate will not sit Wednesday on account
Of the centennial celebration of the establishment
Of the seat of government at Washington, and
there is possibility of adjourning from Thursday
until Monday of next week.
The programme in the House for the coming
week contemplates the consideration and pas
sage Of the Legislative Executive and judicial
appropriation bills and the bill for the reduction
Of the revenue taxes. Wednesday will be a
dies so far as legislation is concerned. as on
that day the exercises in connection with the
centennial celebration OF the removal of the seat
Of government to Washington will be held in the
House The Legislative Appropriation bill is not
expected to consume more than two days at
most, probably only one, and the leaders expect
that the remainder of the week will suffice to
pass the War Revenue Reduction act 1t is prob
able that special interests which do not receive
the consideration in the bill which they think
they are. entitled to will attempt to amend it.
This is especially true of the brewing interests,
which hope to secure further reduction of the
tax on beer from 81 60 barrel, as fixed by the
committee, 20 81 80 a barrel plan has been
organized by which these interests believe they
can accomplish their purpose. In order to secure
this reduction. which will amount to about
1000 O00 that amount Of revenue must be re-
tanned and those members who are working for
a further reduction beer will advocate the re-
tention of the tax bank checks and discounts,
which amounts to about the same sum- 1t is
understood that many of the larger banks are
not opposed to the retention OF this tax, on the
ground that il reduces the number Of small
checks presented for payment and thus reduces
the cost of The clerical force in the banks. Most
of the Republican members OF the Ways and
Means Committee, however. do not believe a sue
cessful fight can be waged against any feature
Of the committees bill