The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-09
THE SESSIONS BUSINESS.
The Legislation for the Week is in a Prob.
lematic NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. as to
an Extra Session.

WASHINGTON. Feb. S.-The condition of
business in Congress is such that minority
in either House can easily force an extra
session, but if the purpose to do so is any
where entertained the fact has not been
made known. and the leaders in both Houses
are of the opinion that the appropriation
bills will all be passed before the 4th of
March. This will require the abandonment
of many important measures which have
been perfected in one House or the other,
and it may be added that not much general
legislation, other than that which may
be attached to the appropriation bills, can in
any event be enacted. The discussion in
the Senate upon Mr.. ingalls, motion TO
so amend the rules of that body so as to al
low OF general legislative measures germane
to the subject matter OF the appropria.
tion bills TO be appended thereto, as riders,
while ii lad 10 direct result other than to
put upon ., cord the expression of Senatorial
opinions / at thu rules of the House are
sorely in need OF revision, yet in some sense
opened a way for solution of the diff
culties which are always expected to arise
between the two Houses as the end of q
session draws nigh. for Senatorial conferees
will, after this discussion, feel more at
liberty to assent to meritorious propositions
coming from the House as riders than here
tofoTe. The motion was referred to the Com
mittee on Rules. Should it be reported
favorably and adopted it will simplify mat
tiers still further by Iegalizing a practice
which, though considered undesirable and
often mischievous, is reported as almost an
Imperative necessity in certain emergencies.
The action OF the House tomorrow is
looked forward to with much interest, as il
is supposed the chances for an extra session
will thereby be either increased to proba.
IN ar oIr1C cd 10
The House Will assemble at 10 O'Clock as
in continuation OF the last legislative day.
The most active promoters OF the
RIVER and Hsrbor bill have announced
their purpose to resist the adjournment
formality at II o'clock, noon, and the i'm
mediate reassembling as on the last legisa-
tive day. They will endeavor to continue
the last legislative day throughout the week,
II necessary to secure the passage OF their
measure.
IN their vote to take recess (instead of ad-
l0urnment) last night the friends OF the
River and Harbor bill were found to be in a
strong majority, but the issue was not then
sQuareiy made as between that measure on
the one hand and enc of the regular appro
priation bills, with a prospective extra
sion, on the other. Such will be the issue
tomorrow.
OF the thirteen regular appropriation bills,
only one. the Military Academy BILL has
passed its last stage in Con gress; il RwSits the
action OF the President.
The Consular and Diplomatic aud District
of Columbia bills have passed the two
Houses, but still await an adjustment of
differences.
The Pension bill is upon the Senate calen-
dar, ready for consideration by the Senate.
The Army, Indian and Agricultural bills
have passed the House, and the Postofice
and Legislative, Executive and Judicial
bills are on the House calendar Ramain-
Civil, Navy, Fortifeations and General De
tciency bills have not yet made their ap-
pesrance in either House.
The course of affairs in ths during the
present week is involved in considerable
dOu bt. Wednesday viii be devoted to count
ing the electoral vote, aud the Pension Ap.
propriation bill will probably be taken M
tomorrow and passed
The Indian. Army and Agricultural a ..
| preparation bills are in the hands of tn
Senate COMMITTEES on Appropriations, al
may be reported in time for action upon Or
or two of them before the end of the week.
The unfinished business is the Anti. Silve
| Coinage bill, and several Senators have pre
pared speeches upon it, If the measure b.
not set aside by other than appropriate
| bills, there is q prospect hat ii may be dis
posed of before the end of the week. Th
silver faction who at first threatened TO pre-
vent action upon this bill now claim to have
strength enough to strike out the festur
which looks to stopping the coinage of tb
standard silver dollar and so have les
reason to postpone action. IL shorn of this
its most important feature, the bill viii
simply provide for the retirement and coin
age of trade dollars.
Private pension bills are likely to receive
attention as occasion serves until the cal
endar is cleared.
The bill to prohibit the importation o.
contract labor that for the admission OF
Tacoma Washington Territory, land grant
forfeiture bills, the bill to declare railroad
lands subject to taxation aud the Pacific
Railroads sixty.year bill, and measures
which are more likely than any others to
receive the attention OF the Senate during
the week, and the remainder OF the session,
when the appropriation bills are
passed. In the House of Repre-
tatives, if the Appropriation Com
mittee is successful tomorrow in
opposing further consideration of the River
and Hsrbor bill, the Postoffice Appropris-
ton bills will be called up. Immediately
after its passage, the Legislative, Executive
and Judicial DILL will be pressed for consid
Grafton.
The Appropriations Committee expects to
report the Sundry Civil bill, that it may be
taken up next in turn. These three meas
ures will probably be sufficient to consume
the week. One hour each day may be de
voted to the consideration Of unobjected