New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-27
AN EXTRA SESSION LIKELY.
INDICATIONS THAT CONGRESS WILL BIZ
CALLED TOGETHER IN OCTOBER.
EVERY PROSPECT OF LONG AND srUBBoaN
FIGHT AT THE oUrsET-MR. RANi
DAIhs VIEWS.

Lbt TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNkl
Washington, May 28.-The belief Chat Congress
WIN be called together efore December is expressed
by almost every prominent politician of either
party who is or has been In Washington within tho
last six weeks. and Democratic Senators and Rep
resentatives as well as Republicans have based
their plans for the autumn upon the expectation
that special session will be called, to begin on
the first Monday in October, which will fall ON the
7th of the month
lt Is the general belief also that the special
session which is to follow will be marked by soma
OF the fercest political struggles which have taken
place in Congress in dozen years or more. In
the House the Republican majority according 10
the certificates on file in the Office OF the Clerk,
Is only three and indications are not wanting that
the Democrats win begin the fight on the question
of the organization of that body. In eonverss-
tion several days ago Mr.. Randall remarked
that the Republicans will have all they can do
to organize the House. Another Democrat South
ern man, lately intimated in private conversation
that a plan was under consideration which OF.
fcred :" q hopeful prospect Of Democratic or
gsnizatop Of the House" There is no danger
that such a plan will succeed, but the fact thss
il has been entertained shows that the Democrats
are preparing for a long and unusually stubborn
contest. They always fight best when in mi.
nority.
The first great struggle, and 1t may be do,
cisive one, between the parties, viii be over tho
adoption Of rules of procedure. The Democrats
will demand the re.enactment of the rules Gf the
last House, under which, as experience repeatedly
demonstrated in the last Congress, five members
acting in concert can block the public business
indefinitely, despite the efforts of the other 500
members, ard threescore members can absolutely
prevent the passage Of any measure to which they
are opposed The Republicans will insist upon
the adoption Of rules which, while affording all
reasonable and needful safeguards for the rights
Of the minority, will also protect the majority in
It's right TO pass measures which it may originate
and for which it will be held responsible This
struggle is likely TO be a memorable one, and ID
may last for months. In tie conversation before
mentioned, Mr.. Randall also said
II these Republicans think that they will be
allowed to change the rules of the House so that
they can stihe the minority, they will find them
selves mistaken. We will deadlock the House for
year before we will allow it. The Democrats
are solid against any change OF the rules that will
infringe upon the rights of the minority and with
q solid, strong minority nearly equal to the major
ity, it will be impossible TO change the rules"
Mr. Randall is by odds the ablest parliamen.
tartan in the House on the Democratic side. He Is
a firm believer in what might be called the mega
tive virtue of that body-that is TO say, the vir-
tue Of doing nothing. Even when his own psrty
is in control, he wants 1t bound hand and foot by
o code of rules which will prevent it from doing
anything lest il do only mischief. He Is 20 be
the leader OF the minority, and he viii be ably
and warmly seconded by every member of his
party IN the effort TO prevent the adoption Of rules
designed to make possible, instead Of TO prevent
the doing Of business. Around him viii rally TO
a man the Free Traders who dread faiR and Just
revision Of the tariff: the men who hold seats
gained by fraud and theft and their friends and
partisans who include every Democrat from the
South and a majority Of those from the North,
and finally, every Democrat whose anxiety TO
embarraSs the National Administration in every
advantage, will outweigh all other considerations
The struggle over the rules is inevitable, and II
10 should not begin until December, the first
regular session Of the List Congress probably
would be protracted until close upon the eve
of the Congressional election of lS90 IL a special
session should be held. matters probably would
be so shaped that legislative business could be
be gun early in December and prosecuted with
fair prospect OF practical results. Republicans
of the President and his confidential advisers
express a strong belief that special session
will be held.
MR.. SToCKsLAGER NAY HAVE TO EXPLAIN.
Washington, May % CspeciaD.-1he inquiries Of
]. II. Drake, OF ST. Paul, land commissioner Of ths
ST. Paul and Sioux City Railroad Company, at the
General Land olce yesterday disclosed the fact ths
under Secretary villas, the st. Paul and Manitoba
Railroad Company secured the right Of way in the
Land Offco IN preference 10 all other companies;
that clerks we're tskon from their regular work to
lAlA