New-York tribune., 1903-03-01
THE SENATE SITUATION.
EXTRA SESSION ASSURED
vii Probably Begin az Noon on
March 5-To Rat1y Treaties.
fsY rElEeRArH 20 rnR TarnuxE.l ]


waxhinstoa Feb. 28-Ant extra session OF the
can leaders tonight No consideration was
given to the Panama treaty to-day. aside from
a briss speech made by Senator Rawlins, and 1t
was admitted that nc attempt would be made
to consider the pending treaties further until
after March 4
The President has said that If either conven-
ton failed he would issue the call for q special
session from the Presidents room In the Capitol
on March e. and ft is expected that the session
Will begin March No estimate can be made
on the length of time which viii be required to
ratify the Panama Canal treaty. as that will
DEPEND cn the endurance Of Senator Morgan
but there is general impression that the ses-
sion Will not last less than six weeks. and possi-
bly, two months. The success OF the CUBAN
treaty IN the special session ia said to be as
sured. According to friends OF the convention
a gain Of at least six votes will result from the
succession of Senators now antagonistic to the
agreement by those favorable to 1t.
LITTLE CHANCE FOR PHILIPPINE BILL
There is almost no hope for the Philippine
Tariff bill notwithstanding the Presidents ear
nest appeal for its passage Senator Patterson
of Colorado. said to-day that nothing would III
duce him either to vote for the measure or to
permit it to become law. He regards the re-
to 80 per cent OF the DingIey rates as forerun-
ner of complete removal Of the duty, and, in
1be interests Of the beet sugar producers. will
use every expedient to defeat the measure. Sen
ator Teller Is also seriously opposed to the bill
on the same grounds, and some Of the Southern
Democrats will oppose it because Of their In
terest in the tobacco industry.
There will be no chance Of calling up the Phil
ippine bill until after the AIdrich bill is dis
I,Y$G Gnr ofr~
Ledge will seize the first opportunity, as he
wishes to make the Democrats show their hand,
entirely irrespective Of the possibility Of its
passage.
After the passage of the Fortilcations Ap-
preparation bill this morning. Senator Rawlins,
assuming that the Panama Canal treaty would
be discussed at special session Of the Senate,
after the expiration Of his term OF Office, spoke
in opposition TO the treaty. He was called to
order by Senators 81. Pl6tt, Hoar and Frye,
hut persisted in his remarks, and the Senate
went into secret legislative session to permit
him to continue.
IMMIGRATION BILL PASSED.
Late IN the session Senator Fairbanks called
up the immigration bill, and a spirited debate
followed. The provision applying the contract
labor law TO Canadians coming into the United
States to work, which was opposed by Senators
as was the educational clause. Senator Elkins
opposed the passage of the bill, and several
sharp tits ensUed between the Senator from
West Virginia and Senator Lodge. Mr.. Elkins
favored tie elimination Of the contract labor
clause, which called forth q sharp retort from
Mr.. Lodge Mr. Elkins said he was weary Of
hearing Of appeals to the country" Mr.. Lodge
retorted by saying: II do care for the coun-
Try. I'm thinking OF the interests Of the coun-
try I'm thinking of something besides the In
terests OF the corporations" Senator Hoar at
tempted to pour oil ea the troubled waters by
referring to Mr.. Elkins as ''the very essence OF
wisdom andSheauty" Mr.. Elkins then tried to
bind the prospective conferrees 10 adhere to the
changes made by the Senate, and Mr.. Roar
raised . point Of order. The bill passed at
late hour.
ONLY one appropriation bill remains TO be
passed by the Senate-the General Deficiency
BILL which was reported % tie Senate to-day
and carries a total of $1S306.44S. Numerous
conference rerorts will have TO be acted on IN
the remaining hours of the session, and there Is
the usual rush of private bills of which Senators
are urging consideration.