The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-16
THE SENATE PROGRAMME
The Philippine Bill the Unfinished
Business of the Week.
Mr. Lodge Anxious to Secure
Notc-Many Speeches on the Sub
ject Expected-An Effort TO Dispose
of the Alaskan Mcasure-Neces-
sity for Legislation Pointed Out.

The unfinished business before the Sen
ate this week will continue to be the bill
in relation to the suppression of insurrec-
tion in and TO the government of the Phil
ippine Islands. On Wednesday Of last
week Mr.. Lodge, who is in charge OF the
bill, in accordance with a notice previous
ly given by him, asked unanimous consent
thi time be fixed for taking a vote, but
Mr.. Berry objected to such consent being
given and the matter went over without
further discussion at that time. On the
following day. however. an attempt was
made by Mr.. Morgan to displace the Phil
ippine bill as the unfinished business and
TO substitute for it the Nicaragua Canal
bill. Mr.. Morgan's proposition was de-
feated after yea and nay vote.
The Republican steering committee has
decided that an adjournment shall be
taken early in June, but that if it is pos
sible to dispose of other matters now
pending before that date the Ship Subsidy
bill shall be taken up and an attempt
made to secure its passage. This bill is
regarded as being an Administration meas
ure and as such its passage would be an
element TO the coming Presidential cam
paign. The minority is anxious to pre-
vent the taking up of the bill this session,
and as being the best way of attaining that
object it is thought that every effort will
be made TO prevent a vote on the Philip
pine bill until so late that no time will
be left for the consideration of the other
matter. Mr.. Lodge has for some time been
anxious to secure a vote on the Philippine
bill, but his efforts in that direction have
met with no success. Although many
speeches on the subject have been made,
there are still number of Senators who
are desirous of being heard before the
vote is taken. and as long as this is the
case it is thought that there can be no
good excuse for forcing vote. Among
the speeches will be one by Mr.. Hoar, who
has given notice that he will address the
Senate tomorrow.
Mr.. Carter, who is in charge OF the Alaskan
bill. gave notice on Saturday that he
would ask this morning that a vote be
taken on that measure either at o'clock
this afternoon or at the same hour to-
morrow. Mr.. Carter. when giving notice,
submitted a letter from Major p. II. Ray,
Z. S. A. commanding the Alaskan district,
urging the immediate passage of the Civil
Code bill and giving numerous reasons
therefor. Mr.. Carter later made a state
nent regarding the necessity for the pro-
posed legislation. in which he said:
Il have heretofore taken occasion 10
suggest that large number of people will
go into the gold regions of Alaska during
the coming summer. ! placed the number
at 1O0. .000. but persons unfamiliar with the
conditions have hippantly regarded the fig
ures thus stated extravagant and i'm
possible. There are now between 900
and 10000 residents in Alaska. probabiy
25.0o0 Of whom are in the vicinity OF Daw
son City.
THE miners will not go exclusively by
steamer TO Cape Nome and St. Michaels.
Il is a fact not generally known. but new
ertheless fact. that a railway has been
constructed from Skagway. at the head OF
the Lynn Canal. in American territory.
across the mountain range 10 the head
waters of the Yukon River. That railroad
has been in operation for some time, and
is being rapidly constructed down the
Yukon River to a point near Dawson City.
Over this line of railroad connected with
steamers thai pass to and fro several times
each week from Seattle Portland. and
other points on Puget Sound. passengers,
prospectors. miners. and their supplies will
find way into the district Of Alaska. with 4
view to exploring the vast mineral deposits
of The Yukon Valley.
The number OF persons who Will 20 to
Cape Nome the coming summer will be
limited only by the transportation faciii-
ties, and / do not think II is al all extrav-
agant to suggest that the laws We have in
contemplation now embodied in this bill
proposed to be enacted into law will apply
during the coming summer TO more than
100. 060 residents or inhabitants of Alaska.
The failure to pass the bill will. as Major
Ray suggests invite anarchy and confu-
sion, which will be distressing 10 the un-
fortunate people there and 4 disgrace 10
the Congress of the United States"
In view Of these statements. and the
fact that only two or three amendments
remain to be seriously considered, il is
probable that the bill viii be passel early
in the present week.
The Quay case will be laid before tie
Senate each day at the conclusion OF the
routine morning business, and will be open
TO discussion until o'clock. Only one
more week remains before the time fixed
for a vote and those Senators who desire 10
speak on the case will be required to do so
during that time. Messrs. Chandler and
Penrose are determined that if they can
prevent it nothing snail come in the way
of vote one week from tomorrow. and
each day one OF them gives notice of the
few days remaining for discussion. and
urges those Senators who desire TO speak
TO be prepared to do so as soon as possible.