The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-23
hut Democratic Senators Are Holding
Out Stifiiy for the Omnibus
Statehood Bill.
HOUSE DECKS WELL CLEARED
ONLY ONE APPROPRIATION BILL RE-
MAINS TO BE CONSIDERED.
Possibility thnt the AIdrich Deposit
Bill May BE Substituted for the
Fowler Currency Measure.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22-The course of
proceedings in the Senate during the pres
ent week will depend very largely upon
whether there is an adjustment of differ
ences upon the statehood bill. If there is
no agreement the bill will continue to cut
figure in the proceedings, whether it be
technically under consideration or not. just
as 1t has done during the greater part of
the session. II the canal treaty is pro-
ceeded with the statehood bill will do much
TO 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 programme the
postoffice appropriation 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 as
rider. and unless an understanding is ar
rived at before the bill is taken up the
question of its retention will Immediately
confront the Senate. That will be the criti-
Some OF the anti-statehood senators con-
tend that II can be beaten as a rider, and
advocate an invitation to this test of
strength.
In accordance with the annual custom in
the Senate on the birthday of the. father
Of this country the proceedings tomorrow
will begin with the reading OF washington's
farewell address. The reading this year
will be performed by Senator Dubois. At
will be performed by Senator Dubois. At the
conclusion Of this ceremony the committee
on public buildings and grounds may report
n m hrQ hfrfId in, ,fo,
case effort will be made to have the bill
considered at once. Should this fair Senator
Cullom will move that the Senate proceed
to consideration OF the canal treaty in
executive session. IL in the meantime a
compromise on the statehood bill has been
effected II is believed the ratification of
the treaty can be secured within a day or
two. But whether there is an adjustment
on statehood or not or whether the treaty
Is ratified or not, IL Is not intended that
many more days will be allowed to elapse
bills. With only eight working days I'm the
session left. all senator's appreciate that il
Is essential that there should be little more
delay In voting the necessary supplies for
the support OF the government for the next
fiscal year.
OF the thirteen appropriation bills six
have so far been considered by the Senate
proper, but several of the remaining seven
have had the attention of Senate commit
tees Three have not, however been re-
cefved from the House of Representatives
Two OF the appropriation bills namely the
pensions and the diplomatic and consular
bills. have passed both houses and received
the signature OF the President thus becom-
ing laws. The legislative executive and
judicial bill Is ready to go to the President:
the army bill Is in second conference: the
Indian and District OF Columbia bills are
both In conference, with many differences
TO adjust: the postoffice bill has been re-
ported TO the Senate; the agricultural bill
and the Military Academy bill have re-
ceived final consideration at the hands of
committees having them in charge and are
ready for report. and the sundry civil bill
As undergoing scrutiny of the committee on
appropriations and will be reported during
the week The naval bill. the Notifications
Dill ana the general deficiency bill are still
an tne House or representatives. In order
10 conclude Its work on the APPROXIMATION
bills and transact other necessary business
before the day for final adjournment on
aarcn I the Senate will find 1t necessary.
regardless of the statehood bill and the
canal treaty. to hold longer sessions than
ordinarily, and ii Is probable that durinp
the greater part OF the time henceforth the
dairy slttinss VIII begin at 10 or IL O'Clock
and that many OF them will run into the
night To-morrow's session however ha-
gins at noon On Saturday considerable
time VIII be devoted to eulogies on deceased
members OF the House
Some OF the Republican leaders of the
senate VINO are opposed to the omnibus
to-day and perfected the compromise meas
ure, the provisions OF which already have
been published Among those at the con.
ference We're Senator's Allison. AIdrich
Cuiiom- Hanna, Spooner. Lodge and plat
OF Connecticut. 1t is stated on excellent
authority that Senator Quay is anxious that
the compromise bill be adopted, and thai
ne Is urging the Democrats to accent n
The latter. however, are holding ont mors
etifhy to-day than ever for the Omnibus
measure IL was decided at the conference
to-day TO submit the compromise hin -
the statehood Republicans and TO the Dem
ocrats at the earliest possible moment IN
an endeavor TO secure their consent to An