Evening journal., 1903-02-23
ALL DEPENDS ON
STATEHOOD BILL
If There Is No Agreement 1t
Will Still Figure in the
Senate Proceedings
DEMOCRATS URGED TO ACCEPT 1t

DEMOCRATS URGED TO ACCEPT IT
washington, Feb. 2S.-The course
Of the proceedings in the SEN
ate during the week win depend
very largely upon whether there is an
adjustment of differences upon the
statehood bill. If there is no agree
ment, the bill will continue to cut a
figure in the proceedings, whether it
be technically under consideration OF
not, just as it has done during the
greatest part of the session. If the
canal treaty is proceeded with, the
statehood bill will do much 70 shape
its course; If the treaty is put aside
and the appropriation bills taken up
the statehood question will present
itself in the shape of riders on those
bills.
According to the present plan, the
postofiice appropriation bill viii be the
first Of the supply measures to be con-
sidered. II is, indeed, the only one
of these bills not yet passed which
has been reported from committee. 1t
carries the statehood bin as a rider,
and unless an understanding is arrived
at before the bill is taken up the Ques-
ton of its retention will Immediately
confront the senate. That will be a
critical period in the statehood bills
career Some OF the anti-stateho0d
senators contend that il can be beaten
as a rider. and advocate an invitation
10 this test of strength
In accordance with the annual Gus
tom In the senate en- the birthday of
the father OF this country. the pro.
ceedings today began with the read
ing OF Washington's Farewell Ad.
dress. The reading this year was per
formed by Senator Dubois AT the
conclusion Of this ceremony the sen.
ate proceeded TO the consideration of
the canal treaty In executive session
It is not intended that many more
days will be allowed to lapse before
the taking sp OF the appropriation
bills. With only eight working day.
Of the session left. all senators ap
preciate that Il is essential that therl
should be little more delay in votinl
the necessary supplies for the supper
OF the government for the next fsca
year.
OF the Is appropriation bills. onl
six have 50 FAR been considered by n
senate proper. but several Of the r
malning seven have had the attentio
OF senate committees. Three have no
however. been received from the houl
q represeRfatives-
Some cf the Republican leaders
the senate who are opposed 70 u
omnibus statehood bill held an exten
ed conference yesterday and perfects
the compromise measure. the provi
ions OF which already have been pu
lshed Among those al the confe
ence were Senators Allison, Aldric
Cullom. Hanna. Spooner. Lodge al
Plate, Of Connecticut
Il is stated on excellent authori
that Senator Quay is anxious that Il
compromise bin be adopted and tn
lie is urging the Democrats TO acce
It. The latter. however are holdii
out more stiRy than ever for the ol
nlbus measure. Il was decided at q
conference to submit the compromi
bin to the statehood Republicans al
to the Democrats at the earliest D,
sihle moment IN an endeavor 70 secu
thoig ccdscnt TO It.
In the House.
The house OF representatives
ters the last full week Of the sessi
with the decks practically cleared
the final struggle on the appropriate
bills. The general deficiency bill J
remains to be passed Several int
esting contests are expected duri
the consideration OF the questions
ius,ing the differences between I
two houses in a number of bills in e
ference. Especially spirited will
the proposition to accept a statehc
amendment If one should come to I
house es a rider on an appropriate
bill. II would command the solid 81
port Of the Democratic side, and It
believed Of enough Republicans
accept it, although it would be stro
iy resisted by the Republican leade