Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-01
THE OPENING CONGRESS.
BILLS LIKELY TO BE TAKEN UP.
About Two Hundred and Fifty Men,
bers Present-Land Grants and
Postal Telegraph Legislation.


Postal-Telegraph Legislation.
WAsHfS0ros, Nov. 30.-Two hundred and
fifty Senators and Representatives have ar
rived in town, but the city, notwithstanding
the fact that il Is the eve OF the reassembling
Of Congress, Is exceedingly quiet The
second and last session of the Fourty eighth
Congress will open tomorrow and close on
the 9Th of March, 1856. Unless
something unexpected happens the session
will De uneyentful. The calendars in both
the Senate and the House are we'll supplied
with measures of vast general importance,
bat il is quite probabis that the apprcpria-
tion bills will consume the greater part of
the session, and that little other legislation
will De accomplished. There appears to be
good ground for the belief that the pension
laws will be a subject of consideration by the
House aud that bill revising them will be
pressed 10 passage late III the session.
Representative Payson, of Illinois, in
formed representative of the United
Press to-day that the bills de-
claring the forfeiture of unearned
land grants would surely receive early con-
sideratiOn by the House. He has assurances
from Senators that the bills on this subject
which have passed the House and are now
waiting action by the Senate, will receive
prompt attention. The House committee
disposed of six of these bills,
and about SIX more, some
of which are now on the House Calen-
dar. remain To be acted upon. Senator HILL
of Colorado, viii urge the early consideration
of the pOsIal-telegraph bill, which was re-
ported during the first session by the Com
Inlttee on POstOftces, and Post Routes. The
supporters OF this measure claim that 1t has
gained many friends during the recess, and
thai, II taken up, it will be fayorably con-
sldered.
Although sure TO draw large crowd of
spectator, there l. usually less ok interest in
the House of Representatives ON the OPEN
ing day of the second session than on al
most any other day of the session. Aside
from mutual greetings, chatting among
members, congratulations, or regrets on re-
election. or defeat, as the case may be,
there Is but little of personal interest, and
there Il less OF general interest
connected with the opening of the session.
The old officers take their positions and
members drop into the old seats at the fall
of tue gavel. The Chaplain offers his famil-
lar prayer, and the speaker directs the roll
of members TO be called by states. A quo
rum having responded, committee is ap-
pointed to join like committee of the SEN
ate TO inform the President that the two
houses are ready for business. Whatever
taxes place az the interview, the report goes
ON record that the committee discharged its
duty land the President replied that he
would communicate IN writing" Then
comes the Presidents message by his
private secretary. It Is read 10y the clerk at
the desk, but small percentage of the men,
bers paying any attention to 1t. Adjourn
ment soon follows, and Congress is out of
dry-dock and ready for the three months
cruise before it.
There have been two deaths in the House
since It's adjournment. those were Messrs.
Evins. of South Carolina, and Duncan, of
Pennsylvania. These deaths will probably
be announced tomorrow after the reading
OF the message. and an adjournment will be
made "a q formal mark OF respect to de
ceased members. What line of legislation
the House will first enter upon Is very un-
certain. There are a number of special
orders that came over from last session to
be passed by their special friends. Cobb
(Ind.) insists that the recent election
was an endorsement of the policy
hrs measures. Mr. Thompson (ky.)
desires 10 illuminate his three remaining
months of Congressional life by the passage
of his bill 10 amend the Thurman Pacific
Railway act. Mr.. Singleton Miss will
push his bill for a new Congressional library
building Besides these there are a large
number of bills for public buildings,
which were made special order under the
control of the chairman of the Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds, so that
Congress need not be idle for want of work,
20 say nothing of the thousand and upwards
OF bills on the several calendars. The Appro-
priati0n committee claim the right of way
for bills IA fast as reported. They exTect TO
have the naval, pension, and Military
Academy bills ready before the close of the
week. Quiet efforts are being made by
friends of the New Orleans exposition to
secure a recess by both Houses on the 18th,
that the members may atterd the opening of
the exposition. but the general feeling among
those members who had been seen does not
seem 70 favor IL, and il is doubtful if the pro-
position will fu- favor with majority.