The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-01
PROGRAMME OF
THE u. S. SENATE
Admission of the Territories the
First Question to Come Up.
TARIFF WILL NOT BE ToUcHED
ANTITRUST LEGISLATION PRO
POSED, BUT NOT EXPECTED.

w AsHINGTON. Nov. SO.-The adj
w mission of the territories of
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Ari-
IONA as states of the Union probably
viii be the first subject of general
importance to receive the attention of
the senate. which begins at noon to-
morrow.
After the omnibus territorial bill
passed the house last session its friends
in the senate were so insistent on &C
tion by the senate and so strong in
point of numbers that in the interest
Of other pending legislation a unanf-
nous agreement was reached that in
consideration OF abatement by the
friends of the measure during the last
session the committee on territories
would report on the bill on next We'd
nesday, Dec. 3, and that a week later
the bill should become the unfinished
business In the senate, which means
that unless the measure shall be dis
placed by vote or by unanimous con-
sent il will occupy the first place on
the senate calendar until disposed of.
1t is the current expectation that
this programme win be carried out
whether the committees report is IA
vorabIe or unfavorable, as the agree
CARELESS of the character OF the re-
port.
Outcome Uncertain.
There is no definite information as
10 what the committees decision will
be. but at the last session all the Re
publican members of the committee ex-
cept Senator Quay voted to defer con-
sideration while Senator Quay and
all the Democratic members voted for
immediate action, the result being a
majority for postponement. It is known
that some of the Republican members
favor an amendment for the bill so
as to provide for the admission of
Oklahoma only and it is the prevail
ing opinion that the committee will
divide on this proposition, all the Re
publicans except Senator Quay being
considered favorable to it. However,
the transfer of one Republican vote
would insure the report of a bill to
admit all the territories TO statehood,
as Senator Quay and all the Demo-
Gratis are in favor of the tri-state
measure.
A protracted debate in the senate
is probable The friends of the house
measure claim to have the support of
all the Democratic senators and Of
from fifteen to eighteen Republicans.
There is, however, determined OppO-
sitiOn on the part of some of the Re
publican leaders, who deny that the
omnibus bill has the strength it's
friends claim for it.
Pending Questions.
Other questions which, in addition to
the appropriation bills. are to receive
the attention of the senate at this ses-
SION, are the trusts, the tariff and Gu
han reciprocity. It is possible that the
% nnGfnOnp6
the pending commercial treaty with the
Cuban government shall be transmitted
TO the senate, but there has not been
any determination on that point.
Very few Republican senators admit
the probability of any change Of the
tariff law during the present session,
but some bills to modify present Sched-
ules may be introduced and speeches
made thereon. Some senators speak of
the creation of a tariff commission as
a probability, but there are differences
of opinion as to the utility of such a
body.
There is quite a unanimity of opinion
favorable to antitrust legislation. and
this opinion goes to the extent of pre-
dieting results along the lines indi-
Gated by Attorney General Knox for
the amendment of the Sherman anti
trust law. Differences of opinion as
10 the constitutionality of some of
already The committee on judiciary
win attempt to reconcile these differ
ences, and If it succeeds, the present
indications are favorable TO affirmative
action by the senate. The Democrats
will place no obstacle in the way of
such legislation.
There is no longer serious talk of
constitutional amendments for the con-
troll of trusts, as It is recognized that
in a short session it would be impOssi-
bic to secure action on such amend
ments.
Little Work Today.
The present week will barely witness
the beginning of the sessions work.
Tomorrow the usual committee of two
senators will be appointed to call on
the president, and resolutions over the
death of Senator Mcmillan of Michi-
gan will bring the days session to a
close a few minutes after assembling.
Il is possible that the oath of Office may
be administered to General Alger, SEN
ator McMillan's successor, but even
this ceremony may be postponed for a
day. Tuesday the presidents message
viii be read, and beyond this no bust
ness will be attempted that day. The
sessions of Wednesday and Thursday
also Will be barren, with an adjourn
ment from Thursday until the follow
ing Monday On Wednesday, in &C
cordance with the agreement of last
session, Senator Beverage doubtless
viii present a report from the commit
tee on territories on the statehood bill.
and it win then go over until Dec. 10.
Combinations.
There VIII be an effort to confirm
some of the numerous nominations ex-
pected to be sent at the first oppoTtu-
nifty. The list of those in whose inter-
est this effort will be made includes
oliver Wendell Holmes, whose nomina-
ton as associate justice of the United
States supreme court will be one of
the first to be sent to the senate. There
are number of cases involving con
stitptional questions before the court
whose hearings have been postponed
until a full bench can be secured, and
the desire on the part of the court for
prompt action doubtless viii have
much influence in securing expedition
n considering this nomination.
A large number of bills viii be in
lroduced on Wednesday and Thursday.
and the foundation viii be laid for
what all predict will be a very crowded
session.
SNOW I'M TEVAS