The morning call., 1891-12-07
THE NEW CONGRESS.
Eve Of an Important Session Of
the National Legislature.
Unusually Large Number Of Senators 10
Take the Gath Of Office To-Day.
Interest in the Struggle for the SpeakerShlp.
Possible Contingencies In Case
Of a Deadlock.
Special 10 THE MORNING CALI


sumed that the Fifty-second Congress
will take prominent place in the history
of legislative as sembies. In view of the
conflicting maj0rties in the branches, it is
not possible that when it has concluded its
labors it will have added tU the statutes
ma ny measures of national Importance; but
beyond doubt many fierce battles viii be
waged upon the leading issues between the
two great parties-tariff and silver coinage
while the members of the small but lively
Alliance element may be counted on to lose
no opportunity in debate for bringing their
demands and principles before the country.
NEW MEMBERS.
The usual decorous quiet is expected to
characterize the assembling of the Senate
tomorrow. An unusually large number of
Senator's will stand before the Vice Presi-
dent to take the oath of office, for thirty
Senate) are either new to that body or be-
gin the new terms of service David
b. Hin, Governor of New York, is
not expected TO appear for some time, and
his credentials have not been filed with the
Secretary. Redfield Proctor, late Secretary
of War, has also failed in this respect, but
he may yet hand his letter of appointment
to the Secretary in time to have 1t presented
tomorrow. In two cases there are rival
claimants Tor seats. aMr. Dubois Of Idaho is
challenged as to the validity of his title by
Mr.. Clagett, but the name of the former
appears upon the Secretary's list lie will be
sworn in and Clagetfs claim will be exam
IN hr Hnr,ts tst,ift IDpst
Elections Mr. Call OF Florida also finds a
contestant in Mr.. Davidson, who is armed
with the Governors certificate, and his case
may possibly be referred to the same CON-
mlttee for report before either party IS ad-
mitted.
PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.
Should the House fail TO organize t0-mor-
row the Senate will not be able to transact
business. for its Inability to notify the
President, through jnlHt committee, of its
readiness to receive his communications will
operate to defer for the time the presenta-
tion OF the actual message, as we'll DIS large
accumulation of recess appointments that
must be sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Conferences will be held by the Senators of
the different parties early in the week to ar
range the membership OF the committees, as
it is n task of more than ordinary impor-
tance this time in view of the incoming of
fifteen new members. Unless there is a
radical change in the Speakership stua-
ton tonight or early tomorrow morn
ing the House, for the first time since
the Thirty-sixth Congress (when the
last deadlock over the Speakership
occurrei. will meet without previous selec-
tion by the dominant party of presiding
officer for the popular branch of the legs-
lative department Though this condition
of things has not existed in recent years. it
was not so rare in the stormy years be-
tween ths Mexican and civil wars.
hl NJ lou
drew the lines without and within the par
ties tense and close. Thus, in the Twenty
sixth Congress the Speaker was not elected
for eleven days, Chairman in the mean
time being appointed to administer the rules
of the House. In the Thirty-first Congress
nearly month elapsed before a Speaker
was selected. and this period of practical
interregnum was prolonged to two months
in the Thirty-fourth and ThiTty-sixth Con-
crosses.
POSSIBLE CONTINGENCIES.
In the two last named cases the clerk of
the House presided. Should there be fail
ure TO decide upon Speaker at the caucus
Tomorrow afternoon ii will be necessary
for the House to adopt one or other
of two methods established by prece-
dent for such events, namely :
To elect temporary Chairman. or
temporary Speaker, or else to commit the
duty of presiding to the Clerk. In the alb
sence of an agreement for the perfection of
the organization OF the House the course of
proceedings during the coming week is
matter OF pure speculation. In any event
very little business will be trans
acted in the House during the week. The
Presidents message Will be received and
read according to custom on Tuesday if the
House completes organization Tomorrow,
and for the rest of the week brief sessions
and adjOurnments over Tor d " or two at
time are probable. The committees are not
laaa ,tu1 hot
mas holidays, with the exception of the
committees on rules, enrolled bills and mile
age, which are usually named within few
days after the Speaker is inducted into office.
CALIFORNIA MEMBERS.
1t Is understood that Geary of California
wants to be member of the Committee on
Rivers and HaIbors, Cutting on the Com
mittee on Military, and that Caminett has
expressed no choice. 1t is suggested that
the Committee on Immigration would suit
him. 1t is believed that McKenna will re-
tain his place on the Committee of Ways
and Means. In this case Thomas b. Reed
will be the ranking Republican member.
Burroughs of Michigan next and McKenna
third.
THE CONTEST FOR SPEAKER.
The Speakershp contest has lost none Of
its interest within the last twenty-sour
hours. Since the adjournment of the caucus
last night more than one member has for
RUllcU W Sitcp VI IbSb Ill liiS
struggle to promote the success of
a favorite candidate. Tonight finds
little change in relative strength of the
various candidates. A dozen combinations
have been attempted, but they have gener-
ally fallen to the ground, because of gen.
eral conviction OF the minor candidates that
they hold the balance of power and all
trades and compromises should be re-
jected. An enormous pressure all day
has been brought to bear upon
the. followers of Springer. McMilin.
and Hatch by the two leading
from their ranks, but they have sigGally
failed. if the statement of the minor can
didates are to be relied upon.
CONFIDENT CANDIDATES.
81 have seventeen followers who will stick
resolutely to me to the end" said Mr..
Springer tonight, 'and l have confident
expectation of materially increasing this fol-
lowing early in the balloting tomorrow. All
talk about combinations or Withdrawals is
ridiculous. so far as | am concerned,
Every minor candidate has more in
the situation to give him hope to-
night than he had hours ago. The
night before last our friends, Mills and
Crisp, were each assuring the public how
mathematicaliy certain he was TO be selected
OH the second ballot. Well, they have
had exactly ten hours ballotng
and both Of them Lave not only
falled oil election, but our forces
have gravitated to them so little that they
are each about twenty-five votes short Of
election
Said Mr.. McMillin cheerIy: Z" am in
the fight until the Speaker is elected.
1 have to-day received not only
renewed assurances Of support of those
who stood by me through yesterdays eau
Gus. but also promises Of support from doz-
ems ct other gentlemen who are to come to
me as their second choice, when convinced
OF the inability of their favorite candidate
to win."
No candidate can make a combination