New-York tribune., 1900-04-08
IMPORTANT BILLS TO FAIL
CONGRESS WILL PROBABLY ADJOURN
EARLY IN JUNE
THE SENATE STEERING COMMITTEES PRO
GRAMME FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THE SESSION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

DN@S~@O-
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNEl
Washington, April THE Republican Caucus
Committee. which has Jurisdiction of the order
Of business in the Senate, held a conference
late this afternoon to discuss the programme
for the remainder of the session, and also the
probable length of the session. AS to the latter
question the prevailing opinion that if prac-
ticable matters would be shaDed that Con-
gress might adjourn not later than the first or
second day OF June. OF course. il was pointed
out, the fact generally conceded that this
would require the postpohement Until the De-
cember session of number of important meas
ures and also prevent the bringing forward this
spring OF a bill for reduction of taxation. AS
to pending legislation, it generally admitted
that those measures which would be likely to
provoke long debate and consume a great
amount Of time probably could not be disposed
of before adjournment. Among measures of
this sort which pending in both branches
OF Congress- but which have not yet passed the
committee stage in either branch. the In
teroceanic Canal bill. the Pacific Gable bill. the
Shipping bill and the Army Reorganization bill.
NO ACTION ON THE CANAL TREATY.
The prospect OF action the first mentioned
bill would be more promising it not for the
fact that the fate Of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
Is not likely to be settled at this session. and
the fact that further negotiations will probably
be necessary betw the United States and
Nicaragua and Costa Rica in case the Mica
ragua route shall be chosen as a result of the
recommendations of the Walker Commission.
A prominent Senator remarked to-day that he
would not consider 1t prudent legislation to pass
the Canal bill until after the Walker Commits
sion had submitted It's report and recommended
tions and all necessary negotiations between
this country and Nicaragua and Costa Rica
had been completed. that the United States
could know exactly where it stood before it
began TO appropriate money to carry out the
enterprise. The report of the Canal Commission
will not be ready to submit TO Congress before
the December session. Senator Davis. chairman
OF the Committee Foreign Relations. said to-
day that he would not again ask the Senate to
consider the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty at this ses-
sion. and 1t is understood that his determine
ton has the sanction OF the steering committee
The action Of the House Committee Com
merce on the Pacific Gable bill not unani-
nous. and the prospect is that when the meas
ure is brought up for consideration in the House
II will provoke much discussion and consume a
good deal Of time for the contention between
the advocates Of Government ownership and
control Of the proposed cable lines and the advo-
Gates Of private control and ownership will
hardly be settled in day or week
Ch-ANCES OF' The SHIPPING BILL.
The Shipping bill is on the calendars Of both
branches Of Congress, and IT will also provoke
a debate which will probably consume much
time, even under the most favorable circum-
stances The friends Of the measure in the
House are in close touch with it's advocates in
the Senate. and there will be perfect concert Of
action between them to the time and mode OF
procedure. Senator Hanna is exceedingly earnest
and solicitous for action on the bill at this ses-
sion, and will do his best to secure its passage
He may succeed. but OF the other advo-
Gates of the measure in the Senate as well as
in the House appear less hopeful of success than
they did week ago, before the tide Of
sentiment had set so strongly in favor of bring
ing the session to a close by June l.
The Army Reorganization bill has not vet
been acted on by the Military Committee of
either the Senate or the House and the prospect
that it will be considered at this session is now
regarded as faint and remote. 1t would -undoubt-
ly provoke a long and acrimonious discussion
and consume a great deal of time. Besides the
House committee has been so much absorbed in
the Idaho investigation for weeks past that its
members have had little time to devote 10 any
thing else. They will have other matters to at
tend to a soon Messrs. Sulzer and Lentz have
exhausted themselves in their vain attempts to
amass partisan campaign capital for the Demo-
cratic party out Of the Ceur d'Alene investiga-
ton.
The Senate has passed the bill to authorize the
appointment of a commission to investigate
trade conditions in the Orient and the prospects
of extending and increasing the demand for
American products there. and bill for the same
object mas been favorably reported from the
House Committee Interstate and Foreign
Commerce. There is a fair prospect that of
these bills will become law at this session
THE FRENCH RECIPROCITY TREATY.
1t is expected that Chairman Davis will make
effort to the ratification of the reci-
proclty treaty with France at an early date,
but the opposition will make bitter and vigor-
Gus fight 10 prevent action. They contend that
more time is necessary in order to gain
rect understanding of the provisions and the
probable effects of the convention on the trade
relations between the United States and France.
An effort will soon be made to have the n
venton referred TO the Finance Committee. in
order to have more careful and thorough in
Vestigation of the subject. and II is pointed out
that the necessity of hasty action in order to
save the treaty from failure by default to
year the period within which II must be ratified.
THE QUAY AND CLARK CASES.
Considerable time must necessarily be occu-
pied by both the Senate and House in determin-
ing the disputed titles OF members or claimants
to seats in the respective bodies. The Quay case
has been dragging in the Senate for months.
and consent has not yet been obtained to fix
time for vote. The arguments on the question
of the disputed title of Senator Clark, OF Mon
tana have Just been finished before the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections. and what
ever action the committee may recommend TO
the Senate will certainly provoke a lively de-
bate, which may run for several weeks before q
vote is reached.
In the House of Representatives the trial OF
election contest takes less time than In the