New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-05

FIRST THREE MONTHS OF \ REru bIICAN
CONGRESS.

The Lit Congress, 10 which President Harrison
addressed hi- first annual message" Was the hi't hc
publican Congrc-, since the NLNlIh T. receive
me- sage from Republican President IL a. embed
Oh December =, 1--o ana already, in the hf-t three
months Of 1t, first session. has been able t. 'onNin'"
fine country that this b, not t. Dee DO nothing
Consrrss or one If cross purp1-cs ard frutle- cn-
dcvnr like the three t,i-ls,.r. which preceded 10.
The senate no longer nnd, itself confronted Dos hos
tile IIou-c or It House cn'as'd in sirnit!a'hrt
applcd hv Il minority of if- members. The House
md, itself both willing and able To- cooperate with
IN. senate In the enactment Of public Laws upon a
basis other than that Of political or party comprim e..
A. the senate toe, Originate rrv'nu" or aplip-
praton bill. doing in the first three months ~
!, long session are usually Of lc,, Interest and I'm.
portanoc than the proceeding, If the House OF Rep
rc.cntaiiycs but TN, session has been .omc" i 'N
ccptona. T~o tr-atcs Of cAtr'mc importance have
heeu ratified one with and the other without amend
mcnt. The treaty relating to samoan affair. which
w, negotiated only "a few month, ago IA, been
promptly ratified. and the United stlt" thu, rescued
from the dl,agrceiblc and uidleniicd attitude as
sumcd under "A democratic Administrations \ treaty
Of cxtladton with Great Britain whioh5 vhlc IT does
not contain piov- obnoxious 10 tho s'ttIcd pol
lev Of the United states. the treaty negotiated by
the last Administration -ecmcd to de-. makes mor'
dricult the escape Of ni-hmcnt by flight Of persons
guilty Of various crimes not heretofore covered b.
treaty. has been ratified with certain amendments
The senate also adopted and the House has passed
a Joint resolution congr,tnlatug the people Of Brazil
upon the peaceful cstabli hmcnt Of republican form
Of government.
FINANCIAL MEASURES CONSlDEE1D.
one Of the first measures offered in the senate
Senator shcrman's bill declare unlawful trusts and
combinations for certain objects and purposes therein
described. The bill ha, been favOraby reported by
| tine Finance Committee, and early action upon 1T Is
expected. The committee has also reported
with amendments the bill drafted by Secretary Win
dom, authorizing the issue Of circulating notes upon
a bnIllon basis Another financial measure Is the
bill to relieve the Treasurer Of the United states Of
accountability for the United states "dcpOst fund.-
which was deposited with the several states nearly
sixty wears ago This bill has passed the senate. 80
also has the bill to refund the direct taNc, paid by
| the several states in 1sG1, which killed in the
last Congress by President Clcvcands veto. Among
other measures which been favorably considered
NV the senate or its committees AT thi, session are :
Hills To admit Idaho and Wyoming states, the
Intcrnao na Copyright bill; the Dependent Pension
hill: the SILK Ribbons BILL which has become "a
law the bn increase the pensions Of soldiers and
sailors who utterly helpless account Of wounds
received or diseases CONTRACTED In the service, and
many other bills Of public interest and importance.
AZ OBSTRUCTIVE MINORITY DIsCIPLINED.
When the List Congress assembled on the first Mon
day In December the Republicans in the House found
themselves with majority Of eight votes. ly mems
Of fraud theft and violence, dozen or more Dem
ocrats had obtained certificates t. which Republicans
we're entitled and their names had been placed on the
r,II of Representatives by the Democratic Clerk II
the preceding House. several Of the most prOnncnt
democratic leaders in Congress had openly proclaimed
that none Of stolen seats should be recovered by
the Republicans that no rules should be adopted which
would enable the majority to bring the House &, vote
ON the election cases. or 10 regulate and control tho
order Of bli-incss 10 pass any measure whatever
virbolt the consent II the minority. such was the
| situation ofs affair, when Mr. Reed was elected
Speaker. one Of his first acts was 10 appoint OH
December several important committees. including