The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-01

Financial Bill to He Taken Up in the
Senate. but May BE interrupted
by the quay Case.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 31-with the re-
sumption of its sittings Wednesday the
Senate will practically begin the real work
Of the session. After the present week
longer daily sessions will be the rule, and
very few more adjournments from Thurs
day to Monday are to be expected. as was
characteristic of the sessions of the past
weeks. In the absence of Senator Aldrich,
chairman of the committee on finance, who
will have charge of the financial bill.
definite statement can be made as to how
vigorously he will press that measure at
the beginning of business, but there is no
doubt of his general determination to push
it along rapidly possible after the
present week. He has given notice that
he will call the measure UP on Thursday,
and it is generally believed that he will
then or on the following day make state
ment in support of it.
1t is the purpose of the supporters of the
bill to make very few speeches. leaving the
opposition to do the greater share of the
talking, while its opponents, on the other
hand, will use every endeavor to draw the
friends of the bill into the running debate.
There is no present purpose on the part of
bill unnecessarily. and likewise none on
the part of its supporters to press the
measure to the personal inconvenience of
opposing senators. Those senators who are
antagonistic to the bill as rule freely con-
fess their inability to defeat it, saying that
it will get practically the entire Repub-
lican vote, IL needed, and probably one or
two Democratic votes. With a session of
unlimited duration before them they cam
not hope to conduct a successful filibuster.
Hence they Will not seek to delay the
measure beyond the time necessary to dis
cuss its provisions and give the country the
benefit of their analysis of its provisions.
How long IT may take them to do this will
depend largely upon the length of the daily
sessions and the freedom from interrupt
tons by other business.
At present there is but one matter which
threatens to interfere with the continuity
of the proceedings upon the financial bill.
That Is the right of Senator Quay to a
seat in the Senate. Senator Chandler,
chairman of the committee on privileges
and elections, has stated that report will
beginning of business. 1t now seems prob
able there will be more debate over the
Quay contest than over the financial meas
ure I'd to date not more than half a
dozen senator's have announced a purpose
TO make set financial speeches, while the
probabilities are that the Quay case will
call out much animated discussion.
1t will be difficult to hold the discussion
of foreign questions, and especially the
Philippine subject, in check during the
financial discussion. Many of the Southern
senators are anxious to bring the Philip
pine question to the front, and it may be
safely predicted that there will be more or
less reference to it from the beginning.
There will be an early effort to get up the
Samoan treaty, and it may furnish a basis
for discussion of the foreign policy, If one
Is not found before the treaty is considered.
During the present week the foundations
or the financial discussion will be laid. and
1t doubtless will reveal much of the plans
of both sides to the controversy. There
Will be strenuous effort to pass the bill
without amendment, but the opposition will
insist upon votes on innumerable PROPOSE
lions, and on some of these they may get
the support of some senators known to
have pro-silver leanings.
give promise of much business. The COM
mittees have not yet begun active work
and there has not been any legislation
of pressing Importance reported. The ap-
preparations committee has not yet con-
sidered the urgent deficiency bill, although
the measure has been prepared This bill
may be brought in during the week If
there should be a request from the execu-
tive departments asking its early passage
AS the bill will carry nearly fifty millions
OF dollars for the army, most of which is
on account of the Philippines, it is quite
likely there will be considerable discussion
is before the House. There are some minor
matters. such as provisions for clerks and
routine management of House affairs that
to be passed uDOn.