Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-20
C0NGRESSAND CHRISTMAS
\ BELIEF THAT THE RECESS
WILL BEGIN WEDNESDAY,,

senators Already Leaving the City for
Their Homes In Anticipation of y
Dearth OF Important Business Before
the Adj0urnment-Tbe Outlook In the
House "A Little Livetier.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19-The GUS
tomary concurrent resolution for the holi-
day recess has not yet been offered Ia
either branch of Congress, but 1t Is the
general expectation that when the two
houses adjourn next Wednesday it will
be to reassemble at noon on the first
Tuesday IN 1897. The determination of
the matter has been delayed by the un-
certainty with regard to the tariff bill.
Had that measure been taken up by the
House 1t would probably have had the
effect OF shortening, II not OF entirely pre-
venting, the usual joint recess.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
1t is probable that the Senate will pass
the deficiency appropriation bill making
provisions for the work at the government
printing office before the recess, and the
Senate Ia likely to transact little or no
other business OF Importance during the
week. The special orders for the week
are the railroad attorney bill, the JOINT
resolution authorizing the Secretary OF
War to accept certain lands near Chicago
for military purposes, the bill forfeting
the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Vicks-
burg Railroad Company's land grant, aud
the Pacific railroad funding bill. Con-
sideration of the first depends upon the
return OF Mr.. Evarts, who is not expected
until after the recess, and OF the second
upon the health of Gen. Logan, who has
teen confined to his house for some days
by an attack of rheumatism.
SENATORS ALREADY LEAVING.
AS several Senators have already left
town, and more are likely to go away
Monday and Tuesday, it is not thought
probable that the remaining special
orders will be pressed for action, though
one or both may be taken up for debate.
The same conditions are likely TO prevent
consideration of the Interstate commerce
bill, but Senator Cuilom Will try TO Sc
cure tor 1t the position of"unfnished bus
mess" so that it NAV take pr ference
after the recess. Should the parliament
arY rights OF the special orders be waived
the Senate will probably devote lts atten-
tion to unobjected cases on the calendar.
MOTIONS TO SUSPEND.
In the House of Represe utatives to-
morrow, after the call OF the States for
the Introduction OF new measures, the
committees will be called Tor motions to
suspend the rules, the call resting with
the Committee on Militia. Mr.. Forney,
on behalf OF that committee, will at
| tempt TO secure the passage OF the Senate
| bill increasing the appropriation TO pro-
vide arms for the militia forces OF the
United States. The bill has been amended
by the Rouse Committee so as to reduce
the proposed annual appropriation from
$500, 900 to 100000.
Chairman Matson, of the Commit on
Invalid Pensions, will move TO suspend
the rules and pass the substitute for the
Blair pension bill providing pensions for
soldiers who have become dIsa bled and
are dependent upon charity for support.
If opportunity offers the Mexican pension
bill may also be called up for passage.
STRUGGLE FOR PRECEDENCE.
On Tuesday tbore will be a struggle for
precedence among the supporters Of the
bill establishing a department OF agrlcul-
ture and labor, the bill reorganizing the
naval bureaus and the Paeific railroad
funding bill. The friends OF the pending
Oklahoma bill have also determined to
urge final action on that subject. Which
ever measure first secures consideration
will probably engrOss the atten tion OF the
House until the adjournment for the holi-
day recess.