The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-20
DELAYS CANAL BILL
Republican Senators Refuse
to Set Day to Consider It.
Several Senators Announced Their Decision to
Vote For a Motion to Consider if an
Opportunity Was Presented.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. 1S.-The Republican
Senators in caucus today unanimously
decided not to set day at least for the
present for taking up the Nicaragua
Canal Bill After general exchange of
views the Senators concluded that so
long as Great Brltain's attitude toward
the amendments to the Hay Pauncefote
Treaty is underlined it would not be wise
or expedient to agitate the question of the
construction of the proposed canal.
This decision was embodied in reso-
luton presented by Senator Lodge, who
stated that the conclusion as there set
forth was the result of the best delibera-
lions OF the committee on order OF busl-
ness.
Several Senator's however, gave notice
that in case there should be motion TO
take up the canal bill they would not
be bound by the resolution adopted, put
would vote for motion to consider. In
this expression of independence Senator
Platt, of New York, was the leader. he
said he considered the proposed canal OF
prime Importance and would not refrain
from voting to take it up whenever
motion to that effect is made Senator'S
Simon, Foster and Bard followed with
similar declarations. They did not, how
ever. express determination to them
selves initiate movement in behaif OF
the bill, and it was suggested that Sena-
tor Morgan could be prevailed upon 10
allow the present status to- remaln.
No decision was reached upon other
questions because no formal action was
considered necessary There was, now
ever, considerable discussion OF other
questions among these were the snip
Subsidy Bill, the War Revenue reduction
Dill, the confirmation of Mr.. Harlan, as
Attorney General of Porto Rico, the ratl-
fication of the treaty with Spain for the
ACQUISITION of some of the Philippine
Islands not included in the original Parls
treaty and the Appropriation BITS.
Senator Hanna expressed his desire 70
have the Ship Subsidy Bill passed upon
during the present session, and sara tnae
with the Army Bill out of the way he
should ask that the decision arrived at
early in the session to press the Subsidy
Dill be adhered to.
All responses were in accord with MT
uanna,s request. 1t was intended
that the Subsidy Bill should receive at
not I'D for consideration.
nator Aldrich explained the neces-
of getting the War Revenue Reduc-
Bill through this session and he
ed that he hoped to be able to re-
il from the Committee on Finance
ng the early part of next week. he
I'd TO secure q unanimous agreement
the committee, and urged that TO
re promptness there should be no Ell
to amend it by putting on tariff
amendments. That would, he said, open
ND the entire tariff question.
There was general assent to this propo-
sition and assurance given that the
caucus would sustain him in that posi-
ton.
Senator Foraker stated that he would
again seek to get up the Harlan nomi-
nation at the first opportunity and ne
asked that Republican Senator'S remain In
sufficient numbers to guarantee quorum
because of Senator PettiSrew's notice
that he should require a roll call on the
vote to confirm. The Importance OF get
ting the Spanish treaty through was pre-
sented by Senator Lodge who said that
the ratification of the treaty was neces-
sary to clean up our dealings with Spain.
Senator Proctor also asked time for con-
sideration of the Oleomargarine Bill.
The committee probably would be pre-
pared to report next week.