The Washington times., 1902-03-31
Oleonargarine Bill May
Come to a Vote
Wednesday.
CHINESE EXCLUSION FOLLOWS
Fight Expected on Chinese Bill-Senator
Lodges Bill Providing Civil Govern
ment for Philippines to Be Reported
Today.

the Senate during next week. The op-
ponents of this measure are not anxious
to have it reach an early vote, and many
of its friends are not disposed to push it
more than lukewarmly. The fact is that
while the bin is certain to pass when it
reaches a vote, many OF those who will
help to pass it consider ii such doubtful
legislation that they will welcome any
providential interposition that would
make IL possible to defeat it..
The Democrats. with few exceptions are
opposed TO the bill. All but two of the
Republicans will vote for it, although
some OF them will do so with great re-
luctance.
Mr.. Proctor, chairman of the Agricul-
tural Committee, intends to ask the SEN
ate 10 take the final vote on the measure
on Wednesday or Thursday. II he sue
ceeds, the Chinese exclusion bill will be
taken up Immediately thereafter.
An Interesting Debate.
The present indications are that this
will involve a long and interesting de-
bate covering at least ten days, and it is
believed that on the final vote the COM
mittee bill, which increases the severity
OF the present law. will be defeated, and
simple proposition extending the pro-
visions of existing law until the eXpira-
tion or the treaty with China in 1904 Will
be adopted.
The Chinese exclusion bill may give
way to the Hepburn Nicaraguan Canal
bill, but the general opinion seems TO be
that the canal bill will be postponed at
least another week.
Another important measure that is like
ly to hc taken up at any time is that
providing for the Philippine government.
Senator Lodges committee has been
working on this bill for some weeks. and
it is Ecw virtually ready to be reported.
The Republicans of the committee have
reached an agreement on all points, and a
meeting OF the full committee will be
held today at which it is thought Sen
atoT Lodge will be authorized to report
the measure. The different provisions OF
the measure have been fully outlined in
The Times.
A Substitute Bill.
The Democrats OF the committee have
been working for two or three days on a
substitute which they will ofcr for the
bill It viii provide that the archipelago
shall be given its independence ultimate
iy fiDNiSlOA VIII De iEaue Inat the
United States shall retain coaling an.
naval stations. Another clause of the bill
Will be the enunciation OF the notifca-
tion 10 the world that any interference
with the proposed Independent govern
ment viii be considered an act unfriend-
ly to the United States.
Two measures important TO the District
and perhaps others will be reported to
the Senate during the coming week. The
IIuior railway Station hill is now in
shape and special meeting OF the Dis
trict committee is 10 be. held early in
the week TO approve il. Senator McMil-
Ian hopes TO report it by the middle OF
the week.
o. Interest to District.
personal tax bill will also be re-
ported.
The Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds will probably report bill for
State and Justice building in the near fu-
ture.
In the Senate tomorrow Senator Lodge.
chairman OF the Philippines Committee,
will present the bill providing for per-
manent form of civil government for the
Philippine Islands, and it will undoubted-
Iy be the subject OF party debate when
il comes up.
The most important feature OF the Lodge
kill to give civil government to the
Philippines is that providing for the coin
age of an American Filipino silver dollar
to supersede the Mexican silver dollar
NOW the standard of currency in the
islands. This method of maintaining the
silver standard and providing a currency
suited 10 the demands of trade in the
Asiatic territory has been agreed to
unanimously by the members of the Phil
ippines Committee, and was drafted by
a subcommitte composed of Senators
Allison (chairmanl and Beveridge. Repub-
licans and Dubois, Democrat Senators
Aldrich, the chairman Of the Finance
Committee and Teller, the ablCst free
silver Democrat. also gave the commit
tee the benefit of their advice in the
preparation OF the coinage provision of
ihe bill.
The House Committee on Insular Affairs
has also been considering the same civil
government bill that has been before the
Senate committee. and will report a meas
ure later in the week. 1t is on the san
lines as the Senate bill. but differs in the
important particular that ii includes the
plan of Charles a C0nant. the special
commissioner sent TO the Philippines by
the Secretary of War to investigate the
question OF banking and currency, prOTid-
ing for the coinage of a gold peso as the
standard of money value in the island
This plan was originally endorsed by
the Secretary of War. ana is now under
stood TO be favored by the Secretary of
the Treasury.
The Senate plan however. for the
maintenance of the silver standard will
ultimately be adopted as II has the
unanimous support Of the Democrats and
Republicans on the Philippine Committee
and of the leading men Of both the SEN
ate and House Of both political parties.
When the Senate civil government bill
Is reported the Democratic members OF
the committee will present n substitute.
II provides for a policy Of ''scuttle''
in the Philippines rs soon as tho
inhabitants OF the islands shall have es-
tablished a government. provision for
which is made by the terms OF the bill.
The Philippines question was SO fully
discussed in the Senate when the bill fix
ing the tariff rates was before that body
that II Is hoped the civil government bill
will be passed without prolonged debate
The Democrats however declare II to
be their purpose 30 again open the
aoodgates OF oratory. ana It Is therefore
uncertain how long the discussion Of the
bill may continue.
PARDON C0GHLAh THIS WEEK.