The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-23
SENATE is SLOW
STILL HAS DILATORY TACTICS TO
IMPEDE 1T.
STATEHOOD BILL INTRUDES
AND PREVENTS VOTES BEING
REACHED ON OTHER MEASURES.

Statehood Bill Goes in This Week
rs n Rider Upon the Postoface
Appropriation Bill Unless an I'm
derstandinG Can First be Reached,
May he Beaten as n RIder-Cannl
Treaty and other Appropriation
Measures Urgently Demand Con-
siderntiOn.
Washington, Feb. 22.-The course Of
the proceedings in the Senate during
the present week will depend very
largely upon whether there is an adj
justment of differences upon the state
hood bill. If there is no agreement,
the bill will continue to cut a figure
in the proceedings. whether it be tech
nically under consideration or not Just
as 1t has done during the greater part
of the session. If the canal treaty is
proceeded with, the statehood bill will
do much to shape it's course; if the
treaty is put aside and the appropri-
alton bills taken up. the statehood
question will present itself in the
shape of riders on those bills.
the postofiice appropriation bill will
be the first of the supply measures to
be considered. 1t is, indeed, the only
one of those bills not yet passed.
which has been reported from COM
mittee. 1t carries the statehood bill Is
a rider, and unless an understanding
is arrived at before the bill is taken
up, the question of it's retention will
Immediately confront the Senate. That
will be a critical period in the state
hood bills career. Some of the anti
statehood senators contend that it can
be beaten as a rider, and advocate an
| invitation to this test of strength.
In accordance with the annual Gus
tom in the Senate on the birthday of
the Father of His Country. the pro-
ceedings tomorrow will begin with the
reading of Washington's Farewell Ad-
dress. The reading this year will be
by Senator Dubois.
Know They Have to Hurry.
At the conclusion of this ceremony
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds may report an omnibus public
building bill. in which case an effort
will he made to have the bill con-
| sidered at once. Should this fail, Sem
| ator Cullom will move that the Senate
| proceed to the consideration of the ca
! nal treaty in executive session. If IL
| the meantime a compromise on the
| statehood bill has been effected il is
! believed that the ratification of the
| treaty can be secured within a day or
| two. But whether there is an adjust
! ment on statehood or not, or whether
| the treaty is ratified or not, 1t is not
| intended that many more days will
| be allowed to elapse before the taking
| up of the bills. With only eight work
fV,or 11xf Of he ioFN all
tors appreciate that it is essential that
there should he little more delay in
voting the necessary supplies for the
support Of the government for the next
fiscal year.
OF the thirteen appropriation bills.
only six have so far been considered
by the Senate proper, but several of
the remaining seven have had the at
tention of the Senate committee Three
have not, however, been received from
the House.
Two Appropriations Made.
Two of the appropriation bills,
namely, the pension and the diplo-
matte and consular bills, have passed
both houses and received the signature
of the President. thus becoming laws.
The legislative, executive and judicial
bill is ready 10 go to the President; the
army bill is in second conference; the
bills are both in conference with many
differences to adjust, the postoffice bill
has been reported to the Senate: the
agricultural bill and the military acad-
envy bill have received final consider
alton at the hands of the committees
having them in charge, and are ready
for report: and the sundry civil bill is
undergoing the scrutiny of the Com
mittee on Appropriations, and will be
reported during the week. The naval
bill, the fortifications bill and the
general deficiency bill are still in the
House of Representatives
In order to conclude its work on the
appropriation bills and transact other
necessary business before the final adj
journment on March 4. the Senate will
find it necessary, regardless of the
statehood bill and the canal treaty. to
hold longer sessions than ordinarily.
and it is probable that during the
greater part of the time henceforth
daily sittings will begin at 10 or IL
o'clock and that many of them will run
into the night. To-morrow's session,
however, begins at noon.
On Saturday considerable time will
be devoted to eufogies on deceased
members of the House.