The Washington times., 1902-04-14
Senate to Take Vote on
the Bill We'd
nesday.
SENATOR M'LAURIN TO SPEAK
Legislation for the Philippines and
Sundry Civil Appropriation Measure to
Come Up for Action This Week
Lively Debate Certain.

The Senate has before 1t for this weeks
work three bills. the Chinese exclusion
measure, the legislation for the Philip
pines. and the sundry civil appropriation
bill. which will be reported from the APP
preparations Committee early in the week.
Debate on Chinese exclusion is near its
end although several speeches are prom
ised before the vote is taken on Wednes-
day.
Senator McLaurin Of South Carolina VIII
make his first speech since his set-to with
his colleague. Mr.. Tillman. nearly two
months ago. He has been in the chamber
but little and has said almost nothing
since the trouble. apparently hoping that
he would he indicated through an inves-
LEGATION by the Committee on Privileges
and Elections before he need make any
set speech. This is out of the question
now. however.
Present Law HAY Hold.
The friends CT the bill acknowledge that
the vote on the measure will be close. but
they talk confidently Of its passage with
out much amendment. They do not hope
Republicans generally have made speeches
against it. and its passage depends en-
tirely on the support OF the Democrats
The opponents of the bill say that Il
cannot be passed and that the Platt
mendment continuing the present law
in effect for two years longer will prob
ably be substituted. 1t is possible that
some compromise may be adopted con-
tinuing the present law. with additions
prohibiting the entry OF Chinese from tho
Philippines.
The debate on Saturday developed more
new opposition to the committee bill. and
two members OF the committee itself
stated very positively that they would in
sist on amendments. Mr.. Lodge and Mr..
Dryden. the new Senator from New Jer-
sey. spoke against the clause prohibiting
the use of Chinese on American vessels.
The vote on the bill will begin at l
O'Clock on Wednesday. the amendments
being taken up first. II is thought that
the amendments may consume several
hours time. and as it has been agreed to
vote on the bill itself before adjourn
ment it is possible, Mr. Teller the other
day said. that the vote on final passage
might not be taken before midnight
Appropriation Bill Up.
The Appropriations Committee has
nearly completed the consideration OF the
5undry civil bill. and Chairman Allison
will probably report it on Wednesday and
secure the consent of the Senate to take
on Ri he
hours.
The Philippine civil government bill will
be taken up on Thursday afternoon 1t
is understood that the Democrats intend
TO make a hard fight against it, not with
any hope of defeating it, Of course but
with the idea of registering their protest
against it from every possible standpoint.
They talk OF debate lasting five or six
weeks. but are perhaps a little too san
suine OF their ability to talk against time.
no one expects to pass the bill
inside Of three weeks. and the Senate
will be well into May before it will be
able to take up anything else except reve-
nue. measures.
Relief for Cuba.
The Cuban reciprocity bill will be
passed by the House this week it is said,
and will be in committee in the Senate
next. 1t may be reported within the next
two weeks TO the Senate. The Hepburn
canal bill is apparently long way off.
The District Committee OF the Senate
has reported nearly all the important bills
t hat ii mas under consideration. So also
has the Committee on Public Buildings
sYY,I de Of lie
be taken up at any time. and as there is
not expected TO be much debate on them
they may be passed before any of the
measures above referred TO, except the
Chinese bill, are out of the way.