Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-05
59TH CONGRESS,
Senate Nnt dispose il Of
Statehood Bill This Week.
Interest Centers on Foraker
Amendment Vote viii Be Close.
For First Time in Session House Has Little
Important Business on Hand.

The United States Senate will devote
most if not all the week to the consid-
Grafton of the statehood bill with a view
TO reaching vote on it next Friday in
accordance with an agreement arrived
at last week. There is a possibility
that Senator Cul5erson may speak to-
day on ther abroad rate question, but
II he doeS this would be the only in
bill for the creation of two new states.
If the Texas senator does not speak,
either Senator Nelson or Senator Long
will take the floor in support Of the
statehood bill If they do not get an
opportunity 10 speak today they will
find that opportunity Tuesday and from
that time forward it is expected that
the subject will be pressed until the
time set for voting to begin, which is
p. NJ, Friday. Senator Patterson
probably will close the debate for the
opposition and Senator Beveridge for
the bill. These will not be set speeches
in the usual acceptance of the meaning
of that word, but are sure to provoke
so much discussion as to cause the con-
trOVorSy to take on the character of q
general debate.
Practically all the interest in the bill
centers in the Foraker amendment and
every possible effort on both sides is
being made for and against that pro-
vision. Even the friends Of the union
of Arizona and New Mexico admit that
the vote will he close but the opponents
of that policy appear more confident
of success.
The fact that the railroad rate question
will not occupy the floor will not be per-
mitted to interfere with the activity on
account of it. The bill is still receiving
more attention from individual senators
than any other measure. not excepting
statehood. and it will remain in the fore
ground unit; it is finally disposed of. re-
gardless Of its place on the calendar.
The especial question under consideration
now is that as to whether the proposed
compromise amendments shall he accent
ed The bill will be made the unfinished
business as soon as the vote is taken on
the statehood bill.
Senator Lodge is still disposed to ask
the Senate to take the Philippine tariff
bill from the custody of the committee on
the Philippines. but he will not move in
the matter until after the statehood vote
For the first time during the present
Congress. the National House Of Repro
sentatives is short of work There is
nothing i'll sight for the present week
but the Indian appropriation. and al
though not regarded as necessary, the
consideration of this bill is to be allowed
to consume Tuesday. Wednesday and
Thursday.
Ellis on the calendar will he considered
today under suspension fo the rules and
Friday will be devoted to the passage of
private pension bills. An adjournment
will then be taken until the following
Monday.
tnGer suspension of the rules. it is not
unlikely that ar effort will he made to
get consideration of the bill! abolishine
the grade of lieutenant general in the
army This hill has been introduced and
favorably reported from the military
committee since a provision to the same
end failed as legislation on the army an
nropriaticn bill. The bill as reported
coes into effect on its passage and con
sedu'ntly makes no provision for the
promotion to the rank Of Generals Corbin
and Macarthur