Evening journal., 1903-03-02
CLOSING SESSION
OF CONGRESS NEAR
Both Branches Have More
Than Enough Work to
Keep Them Busy
AN EXTRA SESSION OF SENATE

Washington, March 2.-The Senate
has more than enough work to keep II l.
occupied during the last days Of the
session, and do the best it may there
will be much left undone when the
gavel of the president pro tempore
shall fall at the close of the final sit
ting at noon on Wednesday, when the
last session of the Fiftyseventh con-
gress will close by constitutional limi-
tation. The calendar even at this late
day Is quite full, and there are many
more bills In committee than have
been reported out Tomorrow's session
will be continued until noon Wednes- |
day. and the senate will be in almost |
continuous session day and night un-
til then.
OF the supply bills, the sundry civil, !
postoffice, naval and fortidcations
bills are still in the hands Of confer
ence committees, but there are no
points in dispute in connection with
any of them which are likely to be
difBcult OF adjustment The general
deficiency bill is the only one of the
appropriation bills that has not passed
the senate, and it will be passed some
time today
Aside from the appropriation bills
and conference reports, preference will
be given to the Aldrich bond deposit
bill. Senator Aldrich expresses conf
dence that this bill will pass. There
IS also great anxiety to get action on
the Philippine tariff bill, and while
there is also opposition to this meas
ure 1t is intimated that this antag-.
onism might cease In case OF cessa-
tion of the efforts TO pass the bond
deposit bill. but Senator Aldrich is not
disposed to yield to this kind of argu-
ment. There will be a determined Of
fort to get the Philippine bin in shape
to send to the president before the final
dissolution Of congress on Wednes-
day, but this may depend on the fate
of the financial measure.
A final attempt will be made 10
press the Panama Canal treaty to a
conclusion. in the hope that Senator
Morgan may relent in his opposition
and allow the treaty to be ratified
rather than force an extra session of
the senate. His friends say, however,
that he has no such intention, and they
add that he is willing TO accept the
fullresponsibility for a called session.
Senators generally, therefore, have
given up all hope OF avoiding the ex-
ira session. and are now concerned
principally as to the time it shall be-
81 ana the length of time it shall
not Some of them are advising
meet sident not TO ask the body to
branchhle before Monday, the 9th
II is1 while Senator Aldrich Is urg-
who.at the call be issued for the 9th
49, mt the day after the dissolution
she present congress.
The principal, if not the only. duty
of the extra session will be the con-
sidoration of the Panama Canal treaty
and the Cuban reciprocity treaty. but
the senate may, if It so desires. take
up the question Of the reorganization
of the committees. No disposition
towards this step has yet manifested
itself and It does not now seem prob
able.
House Holds Session On Sunday.
The house Of representatives held
q fourhour session yesterday and put
the District Of Columbia appropriation
bill through its last parliamentary
stage. in the face of the Democratic
iiiibustor. The previous question on
the conference report on the Alaskan
homestead bill was ordered, and the
vote on It's adoption viii be taken to-
day Although il was Sunday by the
calendar it was still Thursday, Feb
ruary 26. according to parliamentary
fiction.
The Democrats OF the house have
decided 20 prosecute their filibuster
Until the congress expires by Limitation
at noon March 4. and the remaining
days Of the session promise TO be
largely repetitions of the last three
that is. all business win have TO be
transacted in the face OF every obsta,
Gle which the minority can interpose
But even by the laborlous processes 10
which the majority win be put, Il IS
believed ample time remains to get
through the conference reports on the
remaining FIVE appropriation bills
There is slim chance for much beyond
this so far as the house is concerned
One or two Of these may get through
but the great majority are doomed to
die where they are The one bill in
which the Republican leaders are par
ticularly interested is the Aldrich
financial bill, and if it comes over
from the senate a way win be found
probably through the operation Of q
special rule. to secure action on It.
Yale Student Found Dead.