Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-05

The existence Of the present session of Con.
gress is almost ignored in the current discus
sion at the capitol. Nearly all the interest
seems to center upon the first session Of the
flfty-hrst Congress, and possible events after
the 4th Of March. Ordinarily little is done
during short session, and at present the con-
ditions are especially discouraging to legis-
iatlon. There are, of course, some
things the democrats might like to do, to
forestall action by the new republican
Congress. But no action could reach the
point Of legislation without the concurrence of
the republican Senate, and the republicans are
not hkely to accept q compromise measure of
any sort when they can have just what they
want by waiting a few months. This will, in
all probability, be their attitude on the terri
tories question. They will probably block any
legislation on the subject which does not meet
with their entire approval.
PROBABILITY OF AN EXTRA SESSION.
The principal topic of discussion is the likeli-
hood OF an extra session of the Ninety-frst
Congress. Regardless of individual wishes in
the matter, there appears to be great prepon-
derance of opinion in both House and Senate
that an extra session is inevitable. Ancalcula-
tions are being made upon this assumption,
and some very active work is being done to
arouse the sentiment in favor Of it.
Assuming that there is to be no tariff legisla-
ton and that the territories are not to be adj
mitted this session, an extra session in April
must be looked for. There are a number Of
ments are used to convert Senators
and Representatives who are opposed to
the idea. The very first reason pre-
'sented is, of course, the necessity for an
early organization Of the House, because of
the very small majority. There is no longer
an hot h.
jority. The only question is as to its size.
Certificates have already been issued to 1853 re-
publicans, so that If the democrats got all the
rest the republican majority would be one. Then
there Is nothing absolutely certain about West
Virginia yet, and there are duplicate certifi-
Gates in the disputed district in Tennessee.
Any gains the republicans make in these local
tiles will merely add to their majority, but at
best it will be too small to be trifed with. This
makes an early organization advisable. Besides,
1t is thought desirable that the tariff and the
territories question should be disposed of
before next winter if possible.
Mr.. PARSONS ARGUMENT.
Judge Payson, who is a very earnest advocate
Of an extra session, has been talking it up with
members Of both houses, and believes that an
extra session is bound to be called.
Speaking of the matter to a STAR reporter
this morning he said that he expected the new
Congress to meet in April; that they could pass
substantially the Senate tariff bill, which would
be disposed of by the Senate this session; COT
course it would have then to pass the new SEN
ate again) that they would admit South Da-
kota, Montana. and Washington Territory, and
pass an enabling act for North Dakota, and
that they would perfect some general pension
legislation before the regular session in De-
cember. II have no desire to conceal my
motive for admitting the territories in the
spring. We have very small majority
in each house. More especially in the Senate
is it desirable that this majority should be in
creased in the Fifty-first Congress. These
three territories are entitled to representation
during the new Congress. I think We should
admit these territories during an extra spring
session, SO that they may be fully organized
into states and send six Senators and as many
representatives as they are entitled to, to be
regularly enrolled as a part of the Fifty-frst
Congress at the regular meeting in December.
This would give us good working majority in
both branches of Congress-"
THE spEAKERsHIP CONTEST.
The extra session question may have some
bearing on the speakership question. The
Canvass of the four candidates is being pressed
with considerable vigOr. and is likely to gener-
ate considerable heat. The western members
are anxious that there should be very prompt
revision Of the tariff and reduction of the reve-
nue.. The speakership canvass will prob
ably settle down to contest between
the western conservative tariff idea and
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the east. As a
prominent republican put it to a STAR reporter
to-day, there will be fight between the two
sections las to whet the next ways and
means committee shall be organized on the
Chinese-wall plan or upon the conservative
plan advocated in the west" The western
members want an extra session, to revise the
tariff as soon as possible.
CANDIDATES OF WORK,
Before the meeting of the House in
the morning, and all day during
the session, the active candidates for
the Speakership are at work ON their
booms. Again in the evening the canvass is
kept up. Reed, Burrows, Mckinley and
Cannon are very much in earnest, and
are not afraid of being too early
in the field. Reed and Cannon
are moving among their colleagues with es-
pecial activity and much quiet work
is being done. Mr.. Cameron's friends
are very confident Of his success,
and are endeavoring to place the contest ON
sectional lines and on the tariff policy. They
will present him as the representative Of the
western conservative idea. If they can make the
fight upon policy, they think it will be to the
advantage Of their man. Upon a mere ques-
ton of personality the four candidates are
about equally popular.
nISTRI(vT GOVERNNENT