Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-02-23


bills taken up, the statehood question will
present itself In the shape Of riders on
those bills.
Postomce Bill First.
According to the present program, the
postofilce appropriation bill will be the first
OF the supply measures to be considered
1t is indeed the only one Of these bills not
yet passed. which has been reported from
committees. 1t carries the statehood bill
a rider, and unless an understanding is
arrived at before the bill is taken up the
question of its retention will Immediately
confront the senate. That will be the crit
ical period in the statehood bills career.
Some of the anti-statehood senator's con-
tend that It can be beaten as a rider and
advocate an invitation to this test Of
strength.
In accordance with the annual custom in
the senate on Washington's birthday, the
proceedings tomorrow will begin with the
reading of Washington's farewell address.
The reading this year will be performed by
Senator Dubois Ua.). At the conclusion OF
this ceremony Senator Cullom Qll) will
move that the senate proceed to the con-
sideration of the canal treaty in executive
session. II in the meantime a compro-
mise on the statehood bill has been effected
1t is believed the ratification OF the treaty
can be secured within a day or two. But
whether there is an adjustment on the
statehood bill or not, or whether the treaty
is ratified or not It is intended that many
more days will be allowed to elapse before
taking up the appropriation bills. with
only eight working days of the session left,
all senators appreciate that It is essential
that there should be little more delay in
voting the necessary supplies for the sup
port Of The government for the next fiscal
year.
Many Bills in Danger.
OF the thirteen appropriation bills, six
have so far been considered by the senate
proper, but several of the remaining seven
have had the attention OF senate commit
! tees. Three have not, however, been re-
eeived from the house of representatives.
Two of the appropriation bills, namely
| the p<nsions and the diplomatic and con-
| sular bills, have passed both houses and
received the signature OF the president
| The legislative, executive and judicial bill
is ready to go to the president; the army
| bill is in second conference; the IndiaT
and the District OF Columbia bills are botl
| in conference with many differences to ad
] just; the postof1ce bill has been reported
to the senate; the agricultural bill anC
the military academy bill have received
final consideration at the hands OF tn,
committees having them in charge and ar,
ready for report; and the sundry civil bill
is undergoing the scrutiny OF the commit
/ tee on appropriations and will be reported
during the week. The naval bill, the forti
hcations bill, and the general deficiency bill
are still in the house Of representatives.
In order to conclude it's work on tn
appropriation bills and transact other ne
cessary business before March 4, the sen
ate will find 1t necessary, regardless Of tn
statehood bill and the canal treaty, to holt
longer sessions than ordinarily and II Il
probable that during the greater part o
the time henceforth the daily sittings will
begin at 10 or II and run into the night
Tomorrows session, however, begins a
noon.