The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-02
phiIiupine Currency Bill and Aldrich
financial Measure May Meet
with Effective Opposition.
RAD SITUATION IN THE HOUSE
pEMoCRATIC FILIBUsTER MAY I'M
PERIL IMPORTANT LEGISLATION.
senate Conferees Take Advantage of
,he Houses ament-Other
Phases of Legislative Situation.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-The Senate
has more than enough work to keep it occu-
MED during the last week of the session,
and. do the best il may, there will be much
left undone when the gavel OF the president
pro tenn shall fall at the close of the final
sitting at noon of Wednesday, when the
last session of the Fifty-seventh Congress
will close by constitutional limitation. The
calendar even at this late day is quite full.
and there are many more bills in committee
than have been reported out. In the pres
ent Congress, like most others, only about
10 or Z per cent. of the bills introduced be-
come laws, but it is also to be said that
the record of bills introduced far exceeds
that of any previous Congress Tuesdays
session will be continued until noon
Wednesday ard the Senate will be in al
most continuous session day and night until
then
OF the supply bills the sundry civil, post
Office. naval and Notifications bills are still
In the hands of conference committees, but
there points in dispute in connection
with any of them which are likely to be
difficult Of adjustment. The general de-
ficiency bill is the only one of the appro-
pration bills that has not passed the Sen
ate. and it will be passed some time to-
morrow.
Aside from the appropriation bills and
conference reports preference will be given
20 the Aldrich bond deposit bill. Senator
Aldricli expresses confidence that this bill
viii pass during the day, but some OF the
Democratic senators say its passage to-
morrow is out of the question because of
the number of speeches to be made on it.
and they contend that if it's passage shall
be delayed beyond the day it cannot be got
through the House. There is also great
anxiety TO get action on the Philippine
tarif bill. While there Is opposition TO this
measure, it is intimated that this antag-
onlSm might cease in case of a cessation
OF the efforts TO pass the bond deposit bill,
but Senator Aldrich Is not disposed to yield
10 this kind of argument. 1t therefore
seems probable that the greater part of
tomorrow will be devoted to the AIdrich
bill and TO appropriations. A number OF
Democratic senators are scheduled for
speeches on the Aldrich bill, and in all
probability the consideration of the meas
ure will run well into the night.
There will be a determined effort to get
the philippine bill in shape TO send to the
Congress on Wednesday, but this, as here
inbefore intimated, may depend on the fate
or the financial measure. All senators un-
derstand the fact that at this time in the
session any one two of their number
can prevent the passage of any individual
measure. final attempt Will be made tC
press the Panama canal treaty to a con.
cluslon, in the hope that Senator Morgan
may relent in his opposition and allow the
treaty to be ratified rather than force al
extra session of the Senate. His friend.
say. however, that he has no such inten
session.
Senator's generally, therefore. have giver
up all hope of avoiding the extra session
and now are concerned principally as t
the time IL shall begin and the length o
time II shall occupy. Some of them ar
TO reassemble before Monday, the 9th inst
While Senator Aldrich is urging that tn
call be issued for the 5th inst, the da,
gress.
The principal if not the only duty of tn
extra session will be the consideration O
tne Panama treaty and the Cuban reel
proclty treaty, but the Senate may, If it $
desires. take up the question of the reor
sanlZatfOn of the committees. No disposi
uon towards this step has yet manifesto
Hselr, and IL does not now seem probable.
On the first day of the new session tn
new senator's will be sworn in. Anon
tnose who will take the oath of Office wi
De Mr.. Smoot, of Utah. against whom, o
account of his connection with the Mormo
Church and his alleged adherence to il
tenets old and new, a number of protest
nave been hled. These protests do not cor
sutute proof. and. as Mr.. Smoots creder
tlals are entirely regular he will be a.
lowed 10 take his seat and the inveStiga
ton. II one is to be made, will be post
poned until the regular session Of Cor
gress, beginning in December next.
There should be objection TO Mr.. Smoot tai
Ing his seat. the ceremony. under the rule
OF the Senate. might be postponed for
day. u - intimated that there may
some discussion OF his case during III
eNtr1 session. but If so IL would precede a
committee action. and would come u
either a question of privilege or in cor
nection with some other question.