Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-27
LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK
It Was Gloomy When Con-
gress Assembled.
THE ANTITRUST BILL
BOLDLY MET THE
CHALLENGE AND VOTED.
The Treaties May Get Through, but
the Chances Are Against Them
Statehood is Probably Dead.

rather gloomy this morning, when both
houses assembled at II o'clock, but the old
timers around the House and Senate were
not dismayed, as they have been through
too many crises like the present, when
everything seemed hopeless a few days be-
fore final adjournment, but cleared up in
the last hours. The wise ones wagged their
heads and prophesied that such would be
the outcome again
Some trouble was anticipated in the Sen
ate In executive session late yesterday
afternoon Senator Blackburn served notice
upon the republicans that there would be
no more business by unanimous consent
until the republicans permitted record
vote on the motion to take up the Littlefield
antitrust bill. Senator Blackburn carried
his threat into execution this morning when
the Senate met by objecting to the request
for the consideration of bills by unanimous
consent. The Senate then proceeded with
regular business in hand, as Senator Black
burn had stated that no effort would be
made to obstruct the appropriation bills or
the treaties.
Two important measures, the naval ap-
preparation bill and the Military Academy
appropriation bill, were passed In short
order. Then Senator Hoar tried to get up
his conference report on the anti-anarchist
bill, but Senator Blackburn interposed with
a motion to take up the Littlefield bill.
Republicans Met the Challenge.
The republicans boldly met the challenge
to go on record against considering this
measure and Senator Aldrich himself called
for a yea and nay vote on the motion.
The republicans, with the exception Of Sen
ator Nelson and Senator McComas, voted
against considering the bill. These two
senators had voted In committee to report
the bill to the Senate, and their action to-
day was consistent. Before the vote COM
menced, Senator Quay announced that If 1t
were a. vote on the bill itself he would
record himself against IT, because he was
interested through the ownership of stock
In several of the corporations, or trusts,
that would be affected by this bill, and he
would plead the excuse which would pro-
vide that senator shall not vote upon
measure in which he Is personally inters
ested. 1. 'e-.--i, -
The republicans have not at any time con-
cealed the fact that the Lfttlefield bill was
doomed to defeat in the Senate. When the
bill was reported from committee Senator
Platt (Conn.) stated that he regarded it as
unconstitutional in some parts and mis-
chievous in others, and it is known that his
view is entertained by many other repub-
lican senator's.
The democrats have now obtained what
they wanted-a record vote on the PROPOSE
ton to pass further antitrust legislation
at this Congress. The assumption among
the republicans Is that Senator Blackburn
and his democratic colleagues will have no
action of business, and that the work OF
the Senate can be conducted expeditiously.
The Two Treaties.
Only two appropriation bills are yet to
pass the Senate, the Notifications and the
general deficiency, and no trouble Is ex-
pected with them. The Senate, therefore,
finds itself with plenty of time on it's hands
for consideration of the Panama treaty,
and at 2 o'clock went into executive session
to enable Senator Morgan to present fur
ther objections to the treaty. The repub-
lican managers have almost abandoned
hope OF being able to prevent special ses-
sion of the Senate, although the progress
made this forenoon may encourage renewed
effort to secure. vote on the Panama
is that the Cuban reciprocity treaty will
have to go over to a special session Of
the Senate.
But there is a possibility that In the last
day or two the opposition to the Cuban
reciprocity treaty may be placated to the
point Of permitting ratification of that in
strument. 1t Is said that much depends
upon the length Of time that Senator Nor
gan will demand for the presentation Of his
objections to the Panama treaty. The
democrats are determined that Senator
Morgan shall have all the time he wants,
come what may. If he should conclude
II
the range of possibility that the Cuban
treaty could yet be passed upon and Con-
gress adjourn without the menace Of spe-
cial session of the Senate.
Statehood Bill Dead.
The republicans who favor statehood are
urging the committee on territories to re-
port to the Senate the compromise state
hood bill which that committee has framed
in accordance with the agreement reached
among all the republicans. There Is strong
opposition, however, on the part of the
majority Of the republicans to such action.
They believe that statehood is dead and
are not inclined to embarrass other bus.-
ness by what they think is a usaless effort
to get the democrats into line.
1t is believed that If the republicans
would grant the democrats some conces-
sions in the compromise that a statehood
bill could yet be passed. The republican
managers are Of the opinion that 1t would
be better politics, the democrats having
refused the compromise already offered to
let the whole subject go ovoI until the
next Congress and then to put through
strictly republican bill for the admission
of Arizona and New Mexico as one state
and Oklahoma as another, with provision
for the future annexation Of Indian terri
tory,