The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-23
Last Full Week Of Session
Opens With the Deck
Practically Clear Of Ev-
erything Except Appropri-
alton Measures Course of
Proceeding in Senate De-
pends Oh Statehood Bill.

session with the deck practically clear of
everything, except appropriation bills.
only one of these, the general deficien-
cy, which was reported yesterday, re-
mains to be passed.
The consideration of the Philippine
currency bill has been set for Tues
day The suspension days, which, un-
der the rules precede the expiration of
each congress begin on Wednesday.
and by means of the parliamentary ex-
ped1ent of making motions under sus-
pension of the rules parliamentary
knots can be cut and legislation ex-
pedited
The Fowler currency bill will con-.
unue to be the stop gap whenever the
motions are not pressing, but there
seems no prospect of it's passage.
There is an intimatiOn, however, that
1t might serve a useful purpose in
case the Aldrich deposit bill should
come over from the senate.
1t is said that the latter bill could
be substituted for the former without
going to committee, either by striking
out all after the enacting clause of
the Fowler bill or through the opera
tions of special rule.
II neither of these courses was
adopted the bill would be referred to
the ways and means committee which
could report it forthwith, as it is we'll
understood that reference to- the
committee on banking and currency
would be equivalent to it's death. The
reference to the ways and means COM
m1ttee can be made on the ground that
1t provides for interest on government
deposits in national banks and to that
extent is revenue measure.
Depends on Statehood Bill.
The course of proceedings in the
senate during the present week will
depend very largely upon whether
there is an adjustment of differences
upon the statehood bill. If there is
no agreement the bill will do to cut
a figure in the proceedings whether
1T be technically under consideration
or not, just as it has done during the
greater part of the session. If the
canal treaty is proceeded with the
statehood bill it will do much to shape
its course, if the treaty is put aside
and the appropriation bills taken UP
the statehood question will present it.
self in the shape of riders on these
bills.
According to the present pro-
gramme the postoff1ce appropriation
bill will be the first of the supply
measures to be considered. 1t is in
deed the only one of these bills not
yet passed, which has been reported
from committee. 1t carries the state
hood bill as rider, and unless an un-
derstanding is arrived at before the
bill is taken up the question of it's re-
tent1on will Immediately confront the
senate. That will be the critical period
in the statehood bills career. Some
OF the anti-StatehOod senators claim
1t can be beaten as a rider, and advo-
cate an invitation to this test Of
strength.
In conformity with the annual Gus
tom, the senate on the anniversary of
the birthday of the father of his cOun-
try, will begin it's proceedings tomor-
row by the reading of Washington's
farewell address. The reading this
year will be performed by Senator Du-
bOis.
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 be made to have the bill consid-
cred at once. Should this fail Senator
Cullom will move that the senate pro-
ceed to the consideration of the canal
treaty in executive session.
II in the meantime u compromise on
the statehood bill has been effected it
is believed 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 it is not
intended that many more days will be
allowed to elapse before the taking
up of the appropriation bills.
With only eight working days of
the session left, all senators appreciate
that it is essential that there shall be
little more delay in voting the neces-
sary 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 re-
manning seven have had the attention
of the senate committees Three have
not, however, been received from the
house of representatives. Two of the
appropriation bills, namely, the pen
sions and the diplomatic and consular
bills have passed both houses and re-
ceived the signature of the president,
thus becoming laws.
Where the Bills Are.
The legislative, executive and judicial
Dill Is ready to go to the president;
the army is in second conference. The
Indian and District of Columbia bills
are both in conference, with many diff
ferences to adjust; the postoffice bill
has been reported to the senate the
agricultural bill and the military acad-
eIHy Dill nave received final consider
alton at the hands of the committees
having them in charge and are ready
to report, and the sundry civil bill is
undergoing the scrutiny Of the commit
tee on appropriations and will be re-
ported during the week. The naval bill,
the Notifications bill and the deficiency
bill are still in the house of represen-
tatives.
In order to conclude it's work on the
bills and transact other
necessary business before the day for
final adjournment on March the SEN
ate will find 1T necessary, regardless
of the statehood bill and the canal trea-
ty, to hold longer sessions than ordi-
narily, and it is probable that during
the greater part of the time henceforth
the daily sittings will begin at 10 or
II o'clock and that many of them will
run into the night
House Holds Memorial Session.
The house held session today to pay
tribute to the memories of their de-
ceased members, the late Representa-
tive Tongue, of Oregon; the late Rep
resentative Rumple, of Iowa, and the
late Representative Moody, of North
Carolina. Mr.. Moody, of Oregon, pre-
sided in the absence of Speaker Hen
derson. The customary resolutions
were adopted.