Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-19
Congressional PROGRAMME
SCENTS NO EVENTS OF START
LING NATURE.
HAWAIIAN BILL IN SENATE
WILL PROBABLY BE DEBATED AT
CONSIDERABLE LENGTH.
The Free Trade Feature Of the Bill
VIII Meet With Serious Oppose
tfon-The House VIII Take Up the
Porto Rican Tariff Bill To-day.
Democrats Oppose the Measure.

WASHINGTON, February 1S.-The
attention of the Senate this week will
be given largely to the relations of the
United States to it's insular possess
sions. The bill providing a form of
government for the Hawaiian islands
has the right of way and If 1t should
be so fortunate as to be finally acted
upon before the close of the week, the
Puerto Rican bill under the agree
ment made in the Republican caucus
last week will be Immediately taken
uD. The probabilities are that the
Hawaiian bill will be debated at con-
siderable length and that many
amendments will be offered to it. On
this account, and because 1t may be
made the basis of more or less gener-
al talk on the question Of the policy to
be pursued towards the new posses
sions, considerable time probably will
be necessary to the final disposition of
the bill.
All admit the urgency of legislation
giving the Hawaiians a government,
but there are some points on which
there are radical differences of opinion,
and these will have to be fought out.
Tie most important of these is the
question as to whether the commercial
Intercourse between the United States
and islands shall be under a tariff or
under the free trade system allowed
between the States of the Union. The
bill provides for free trade but sever
al Of the Senators under the leadership
OF Senator Plat, of Connecticut, are
making an effort to secure radical
amendments in this respect.
Senator Cullom, in charge Of the bill
will resist, and he will be supported
by some Republicans and nearly all
the Democratic members. Practically
the same ,Aght will be made on the
Puerto Rican bill.
On Wednesday Senator Lodge will
deliver a prepared speech on the Phil
ippine situation, dealing with the
whole insular question to an extent.
Senator Kenney also will deliver a set
speech on the Philippine question on
Tuesday.
1t is quite possible that the confer
ence report Oh the currency bill will
DO brought in during the week and If
so, everything else will be laid aside
for its consideration. A very short de-
bate is expected over this report when
made. The diplomatic appropriation
bill may be considered during the
week. Thursday, eulogies will BIO de-
lirered on the late Senator Hayward,
of Nebraska.
The House tomorrow will enter up
en- the consideration Of the Puerto Ri
can tariff bill and the debate upon it
promises to be memorable in the his
tory Of this Congress. The vital ques-
ton at issue over the bill is whether
vlding for equality of impost and X
else taxes throughout United States
territory extends over the island of
Puerto Rico and in this is involved,
perhaps, the determination Of the stat
us and government of u new pos
sessions. The Republicans in framing
the bill have proceeded upon the the
DRY that the constitution and it's i'm
munities do not extend i've Puerto
Rico. The Democrats are solidly ar
rayed upon the other side, and in COM
mittee they were Joined by one Re-
publican, Mr.. Mccall, of Massachu-
sets. Among the other Republicans
who take the same view is Mr.. Little
field. of Maine, who succeeded the late
Mr.. Dingley. He won his spurs in the
debate upon the Roberts case and is
already considered one of the most
powerful debaters in the House. The
support of these two prominent Repub-
licans has caused some hopes in the
opposition that they may be able to
defeat the bill, although this hardly
seems probable at this writing. Both
sides are preparing for a royal strug-
gle. Mr.. Payne, the floor leader Of the
majority, will open in support of the
bill. He will be followed by Mr.. Rich
ardson. the minority leader. Mr.. Bal
Icy. of Texas, will close for the minor
ity. The debate will continue through
out the week and the vote will be
taken on the following Monday.
An Iowa Tragedy.
OTTUMWA, Ia, February 1S.-Leslie
Eastburn, aged 81, shot Jasper SUIT
ton, an aged citizen of Bloomfield, to-
day, three bullets penetrating Sutton's
abdomen and causing almost instant
death. Eastburn called at Sutton's
home to take Sutton's ~1S-year-old
daughter Alice to church. The father
met Eastburn at the door and ordered
him away. An alteration ensued and