Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-02

CRATIC SIDE AND THEN MARCH BACK AGAIN
POOR PROSPECT FOR LEGISLATION.
The members of the House got together TO-
day, looking well and cheerful after theii
Christmas holiday. Nearly quorum were in
attendance when the House was called to
order. Every one appeared to be in an amiable
mood and ready for the work Of the session
before them, but with very little idea what
that work would be. The speakership candi
dates look as if they had not permitted their
holiday work or anxiety to wear upon them
and they were early on the scene, turning here
and there with winning suavity. They were
on hand for prayers, except Mckinley, each in
his seat sedately devout. Immediately after
prayer they began that uneasy shifting about
and changing seats,
WHICH MARKS THEM FROM THE REST
of their associates. During the course of day
a candidate manages to occupy nearly every
vacant chair on his side of the House, provided
the chair next is occupied by a man with vote
in the republican caucus. Mr.. Reed appeared
particularly happy this morning as his friends
gathered about him to wish prosperous New
Year. Mr.. Cannon was joking and original az
usual, taking a seat by the side of Mr.. Bur-
rows to discuss the situation in q bantering
and nursed the good will so many of his col
leagues bear him. Mr.. Mckinley alone Of the
candidates sat at his desk, busy with papers
and correspondence.
THREE CANDIDATES IN LINE.
During the morning hour, some pension
measure coming up, Mr. Reed calmly walked
over to the democratic side to look out for the
interest of his party. Mr.. Burrows at once fol-
lowed down the aisle behind him, inspired by
60 Loci frr
Mr.. Cannon, under the same impulse, was on
his feet also, and the three found themselves,
elbow to elbow, in front Of the whole demo-
cratic party. For a moment they stood SO, and
as the occasion was not great Reed strolled off
Mr.. Burrows took a seat on the democratic
side, where he could watch, and Cannon, with
the bill in his hand, took a stand in the midst
of his own party. 1t is pretty clear that neither
intends that the others shall take the lead in
affairs this session. Mr.. Cannon, on this Occa-
sion, was the first to get chance to say some
thing.
NO ONE HAS MUCH ADVANTAGE.
The vacation work does not appear to have
given any one candidate advantage over his
rivals. Whatever efforts have been made to
secure the pledges of members to vote for this
man or that have not met with any great sue
cess. The great body of the members still
hold their freedom to vote as they think best
when the time comes. The candidates find ii
impossible to make a canvass that will in any
way assist them to a conclusion as to their indi-
vidual chances.
THE HOUSE AT SEA.
The House comes together without order OF
system as to business, and they are all at sea.
Much business demands attention, but no one
is clear as to how it is to be disposed Of
Nearly every man has some particular measure
he thinks should be disposed of before the Fiji
tieth Congress expires. Many of these measures
have good majority for them, and the friends
of each expect to do what they can, but the
wisest judgment appears to be that, in view Of
the present tie-up of the rules committee, prac-
tically nothing will be done. The copyright
folks, and those who want to pass the Pacific
railroad funding bill have given up all hope of
success, and much doubt is expressed as to the
prospect Of any agreement on the admission of
new states, or the creation of the Oklahoma
territory. 1t is expected that
THE SESSION WILL DRIFT
on without any attempt to guide its course and
that there will be constant struggle each day
for precedence, in which much time will be
consumed. The appropriation bills will soon
be disposed of, it is thought, and but little else
will be done. The tariff bill will probably be
in conference when this Congress expires.