Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-17
57TH CONGRESS.
War Tax Reduction Debate
Will Commence, Today.
Expected That Minority Will Bitterly
Oppose Special Rule on Vote.
WhoeIer's Attack on Prince Henry
Aroused Much FEELING.


week promises to be one of unusual ac-
Beginning tomorrow. the war revenue
reduction bill will be taken up, with
two days for debate. and a stringent
special rule bringing the bill to a vote
at P. M. Tuesday, without interven-
ing motion to re-commit or amend
ments other than those of a verbal
character proposed by the committee.
At the outset there promises to be
spirited contest OH the adoption of the
special rule, as the minority will pro-
test against the cutting off of amend
ments and the motion to recommit.
There is little doubt, however, that the
rule will be adopted.
When the debate proper begins there
will be hardly more than three hours
on each side. This time will be given
to the members of the ways and means
committee, who in turn will apportion
it among their colleagues. The passage
of the bill is foregone conclusion, as
the minority members, as the majority,
favor it. the only difference being as to
the amount of reduction and the ex-
tent to which the tariff changes
should go.
Aside from the tariff issue, it would
be no surprise if the sensational
speech of Representative Wheeler OF
Kentucky on Prince Henry's visit and
other foreign matters figure in the dis
custom, as much feeling has. been
aroused by the speech.
The Indian appropriation bill will be
taken up, Wednesday, with two other
appropriation bills, the diplomatic and
consular, and the post Office in reserve
Chairman Sherman Of the Indian af-
fairs committee, expects to occupy two
or three days, SO that the other appro-
priation bills probably win go over IN
til the following week. In that case
private claims will get some conside~a-
ton the latter part Of the week.
There are several Important meas
ures of general leg station nov ady
for consideration, Ill Guiding the anti
anarchy bill and the Pacific Gable bill.
The intention, however, is not to con-
sider these general measures so long
as any appropriation bills remain I'M
acted on.
Beside the work on the floor of the
House it is expected that the coming
week may see some progress in the
ways and means committee on the sub
Ject OF Cuban reciprocity, which was
deferred until after the war revenue
measure had been passed.
The greater part of the day, Monday,
will be devoted by the Senate to an eff
fort to ratify the treaty with Denmark
for the cessiop of the Danish West In
dies. This proceeding will be in execu-
tive session and there is no certainty
as to whether one day will be suffi-
cient for the purpose or not. Thus far
there has been no marked evidence of
opposition to the treaty, but Senator.
Bacon has indicated a purpose of Offer
ing an amendment to the agreement
and of discussing it to some extent
What further discussion may develop
remains to be seen. If the considera-
ton of the treaty is not concluded,
Monday, its final disposition probably
will be postponed for several days, as
Senator Lodge has agreed to sidetrack
the Philippine bill only for the one day.
With reference to the Philippine bill
1t is altogether probable that a vote
will be reached during the latter part
of the week. The Democrats have been
in conference on the subject and have
decided that they will be able to con-
clude the presentation of their opposi-
ton to the bill in a few more speeches.
An agreement fixing the time to vote is
likely to be reached, Tuesday, and the
indications now are that next Friday
or next Saturday will be named as the
day for deciding the future Of the bill.
There are still few set speeches to be
delivered on the bill, but most Of the
speeches towards the close Of the de-
bate will be brief.
By unanimous consent the census bill
will be disposed of after the Danish
treaty and before the debate on the
Philippine bill is taken up. 1t is ex-
pected that a vote will be reached on
the census bill after a very little more
debate.