New-York tribune., 1903-01-24
CANNOT PASS SENATE.
Sta I'EHOOD BILLS F4 TIE.
Likely To Be Defeated or SIDE
tracked Soon.
fDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


Washington Jan 23.-There were strong in
dications to-day that Senator Quay's support in
his fight for the Statehood bill is dsintegrating,
and that eventual defeat awaits him. Through
out the day Mr.. Quay effectually blocked the
way of all other legislation, but an ultimatum
delivered this morning by the Republican lead
ers to the effect that they would not permit
the measure to to vote, even though
their course should make extra session neces-
sary, severely shook the determination of the
Democrats, who have heretofore unanimously
espoused the cause of Statehood.
The first public indication of break came
in the form of a speech to-day from Mr.. Till
man, who announced that he would not vote
for the Omnibus bill in it's present form
little later it became known that Senator Ba-
con had given indications of weakening, and
1t predicted that others on the Democratic
side of the chamber would soon follow suit
Mr. Quay maintains that he has seventeen
Republican votes pledged and that there are
no signs of weakening among them, but the
vote of the California legislature of 20 to {
against resolution advocating Statehood WILL
it is believed, rob Mr.. Quay of the support OF
Senator Perkins, of that State.
Senator Hanna is exerting all his influence to
defeat the measure and this taken in connec-
ton with the fact that the Republican leaders
pass at this session, is bound sooner or later to
result in defeat of the Statehood advocates
While the test vote on the bill demonstrated
that the Republican leaders were filibuster1ns'
they assert that the facts in the situation fully
warrant such course and rumors OF traces
and political preferment which would follow the
admission of the Territories are rife
At present there is not much legislation before
the Senate which calls for extensive debate, ana
the leaders believe that by exceptionally carerui
committee work a great deal can be accom-
plished in the brief time before the end OF the
session The most important matter now on the
calendar is the Cuban treaty. but there is EVIL
dence that 1t is gaining strength as time goes on
and If is confidently predicted that it could De
ratified in an executive session of few hours
duration.
Senator Fairbanks called up the immigration
bill this morning, but the desire of certain sen
ators to debate its provisions made II necessary
to let 1t go over until tomorrow Thls evening
Mr. Fairbanks was endeavoring to erect an ar
rangement which would permit its prompt con-
sderation and passage. with every lnolcatioi VI
success
The Interstate Commerce Committee to-day
considered the Elkins Antitrust bill, but IN the
absence of Senator Elkins took formal &C
tiop meeting was arranged for MONDAY
morning however when it is expected tnat tile
measure will be favorably reported TO the sell
ate. with some slight technical changes. AS
soon as this bill is on the calendar the Demo
Gratis and their Republican allies Will De placeu
in the position of preventing action on n1eas
ure designed for trust control by tneT lui hib
edyocacV of the Statehood bill-a position WIicti,
n is believed they will promptly reall%e ID
illogical and untenable. .ro a,d of the
With the prospect of rush al tne emu Gt ex
sassion the Committee on Appropriations Is eA-
srfne extraordinary vigilance in its conslaera a.
ton of the appropriation bills, and hopes 20 80 ee
obIa ~ dunlicate the precedent set on the Lesls
it;ve Executive and judicial BILL which passfo
tha Senafe without objection in the record tnle
of one hour and twenty-five minutes.