The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-08
STATEHOOD BILL
 BEFORE SENATE Measure Expected to Provoke a
 Lively Debate PROGRAMME FOR THE WEEK
House Has No Definite Plans Beyond Disposition of the London Dock Charge Bill Today-Minor
 Measures Considered.

Washington, December 7.-In accord ance with the unanimous agreement of the last session, the senate will take up the statehood bill next Wednesday, and it is expected to remain the unfinished business for some time thereafter. The bill undoubtedly will provoke consider able debate, and it is generally believed that it will continue to receive attention until the adjournment for the Christmas holidays at least.
 Senator Beveridge, as chairman of the committee on territories. will call the bill up Wednesday, and probably will make a speech in support of the report in favor of the substitute bill, presented by the committee. Other members of the committee who agree with him will follow. All of them will give careful att tention to the testimony taken by the subcommittee which recently visited the territories.
 The committees written report has not yet been submitted to the senate, and this, too. will probably be put in on Wednesday,
 The report will analyze testimony deal- ing with the questions of soil, mines, agricultural possibilities, educational fa- cilities and general fitness of the popu- lation of the various territories for statehood
 Opposition Will be Strong.
 It is generally understood that strong position will be taken in opposition to the claims of New Mexico and Arizona, considerable stress being laid on the fact that a large percentage of the peo- pie of these territories do not use the English language and that interpre- ters are necessary in the conduct of the business of many of the courts. Attention also will be given to previous reports on the subject of state hood for those territories, many of which are criticized by the present ce m-. mittee, on the ground that they fail en- tireiy to represent the real conditions. The report giving the views of the com niittee will be accompanied by a tram script of testimony taken by the com mittee, which will be printed for the in- formation oi the senate and the country.
 It is expected that the immigration bill will continue to receive desultory attention on Monday or Tuesday, but the proceeding with reference to this bill will consist largely in the reading of the bill and the consideration of amendments.
 There will be more or less of executive business during the week, and in all probability another adjournment from Thursday until the following Monday.
 THE HOUSE.
 The house this week has no mapped out programme beyond the disposition of the London dock charge bill tomorrow, and the report of the elections committee on the contested election case of Wagner vs. Butler, from the twelfth Missouri district, on Wednesday. The London dock bill has been pressed by exporting interests. especially the milling interests of the northwest, and Is opposed by the Atlantic shipping interests. The with drawal last week from its advocacy of the Lumbermen's association, which was supporting the measure, will weaken 1t, and its passage is considered doubtful. The Wagner-Butler case is somewhat of an anomaly. MT. Butler was unseated at the last session and his seat was de- clared vacant. He was reelected in Mo- vember to fill the vacancy having about coco majority on the face of the returns. Ills opponent now contests, but in order to secure action before the 4th of March, the rules relating to the prelminaries of a contest, which may be strung out for months, must be shortened. The com nlltlee recommends that the period for preparing the case, taking testimony, etc., be shortened to forty days.
 If the legislative appropriation bill is completed in time it probably will be taken up the latter part of the week. If not, the remainder of the time may be occupied with minor bills reported by committees.
 Tribute to Reed.
 Nashin oton nacapha. 7Tba bo,sa will adjourn soon after assembling to- morrow as mark of respect to the memory of the late Speaker Reed. This course was decided on tonight. Imme- diately after the approval of the journal, Represent ative Sherman of New York will be recognized to present a resolution of condolence, and then the house, after adopting 1t, will adjourn.
 Will be Paid In Gold.