New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-15
THE SENATE PROGRAMME.
ORDER OF BUSINESS TO BE FIXED BY
A STEERING COMMITTEE.
PLACE FOR THE HAY-PAUNCEFoTE TREATY
UNDETERMINED.
[pr TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRiBUNE.l

Washington. Feb. 14.-Tte caucus of Repub
lican Senators held to-day r. a':lted in the pas
sage of a resolution authorizir, Mr. Allison, the
chairman Of the caucus, to appoint steering
committee OF seven members charged with
drawing up an order of business for the rest OF
the session Little time devoted to dis
cussing the claims for precedence put forward
by the special advocates OF various pending
measures. But the general sentiment expressed
indicated that the right of way will be given
after the passage of the Currency bill-to legis-
laton affecting Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Until
the new steering committee to be announced by
Mr. Allison can look carefully over the ground
no further development of the Republican legis-
lative programme will be found practicable. The
place in the order of the business to be given
to the Hay Pauncefote Treaty remains, or
course, fully undetermined. So does the amount
Of consideration to be given Mr.. Quays contest
for a seat in the Senate Governors GER
tifcate of appointment.
There was more or less discussion Of the policy
to be pursued with reference to a number or
measures, and most Of the Senators expressed
themselves as favorable to early final adjourn
ment. Senator Foraker expressed a strong desire
to secure consideration of the Puerto Rican BILL
and Senator Chandler urged the necessity for
action on the bill amending the Interstate Com
merce law, saying 1t important that means
should speedily be found for the control or the
railroads Senator SewaH retorted that the rail-
roads needed special surveillance.
Senator Mason demaRded that time should De
given at an early daJ flor discussion and action
on the Boer resolution.
Senator Depew considered the Philippine ques-
ton of pressing importance and in making MS
position known took occasion TO impress on his
colleagues the interest felt in this subject by
the people at large He said 1t was true that he
was a new Senator but he urged that new men
were often better prepared. by reason of their
recent contact with the people, to voice the pup
lie will than those who have been longer In the
Senate.
Senator Cullom gave notice that he would call
up his bill providing a form Of government for
the Hawaiian Islands the vote should
be taken on the Currency bill tomorrow, and
no disposition was manifested to antagonize him
In this purpose.
The caucus also discussed the question of dt-
vision Of the minor patronage OF the Senate, but
adjourned before finishing this part Of its work
The plan for the distribution of patronage
recommends the allotment of thirteen Senate
messengers to the Democratic Senators. Under
the present arrangement each Senator has a
messenger
Senator Kyle of South Dakota attended and
took part in the proceedings of the caucus for
the first time
The Senate Committee Foreign Relations
held it's regular weekly meeting to-day but did
not take up the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. The
failure was due TO the fact that the sub-commit-
tee having the treaty under special considera-
ton not prepared to submit its report