The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-07
II Will Assemble in the City Of
Washington at High
Noon To-day.
Tho Prospects for a Settlement of
the Speakership Fight
Look Slim. ~.
All the Minor Candidates Say They Are
In the Contest to Stay
Senators Seats. .5.I %

WASHINGTON. Dec. 6.--Io morrow at noon
the Fifty-second congress will assemble.
With one branch of the national iepisln-
ture in the possession OF each OF the two
great political parties, and both strivinR to
shape the course OF legislation SO as to
effect their interests In the approaching
presidential campaign and secure the an
prsmacy in the control OF government. il
may fairly bs assumed that the Fifty sec
ond congress- will take prominent place
in the history Of Legislative assemblies In
view of the conflicting majorities in the
two branches it Ia not possible that when it
has concluded it's labors it will have added
to the statutes many political measures.
Beyond doubt many fierce battles will be
waged on tho leading issues between the two
great parties, the 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. The usual decorous quiet ia ex
pected to characterize the assembling of
the senate Tomorrow. An unusually large
number of senators will stand before the
vice president to take the oath of office. for
thirty-two {nearly half Of the membership
of the senate) are either new to that body
or begin new terms of service. David b.
Hill, governor OF New York, Is not ex-
pected to appear for some time, and his
credentials have not been fled with the
secretary of the senate. Redfeld Proctor,
late secretary Of war, has also failed III this
respect but he may yet hand in his letter
of appointment to the secretary in time to
have it presented tomorrow. In two cases
there are rival claimants for seats. I. T.
Dubois, of Idaho, is challenged as to his
title by w. H. Claggett, but as the name Of
the former appears upon the secretary's roll
he will be sworn in and Clagetts claim will
be examined by the committee on privileges
and elections. Wilkinson Call OF Florida.
also finds contestant in Davidson. who is
armed with the governors certificate and
his case may possibly be referred to the
same committee for report before either
party is admitted. Should the house fail
to organize Tomorrow the senate will not
be able to transact business, for Its inability
to notify the president through 4 joint
| COMMITTEES of its readiness to receive his
communications will operate to defer for q
time the presentation of the annual mes
sage, as we'll as large accumulation of
recess appointments that must be sent to
the senate for confirmation. Conferences
will be held by senators OF the different
parties early in the week to arrange the
membership of committees, us it is task
of more than ordinary impottanc this time
i'll view of the incoming OF fifteen new sen
ators.
Unless there is a radical change in the
speakership situation tonight or early to-
morrow morning, the house for the first
time since the ThirtY-sixth congress {when
the last deadlock over the speakelship oo-
curred), will meet without previous seec-
ton by the dominant party OF the presld-
ing officer of the popular branch OF the
legislative department.. Though this condl-
tion of things has net existed Ill recent
years between the Mexican and civil wars,
when the conflict over the slavery question
drew the lines without and within parties
tense and close. Thus in the Twenty sixth
congress the speaker Was not elected Tor
eleven days. a chairmaG meantime being
APPOINTED to administer the rules of the
house. In the Thirty-tirst congress nearly
Il month ELAPSED before the speaker was
selected and this period of practical inter.
regnum was prolonged to two months IN
the Ihirty-fourth aud Thirty sixth con-
crosses. In tue last named cases the
there be a failure to decide upon
speaker at the caucus to-mor-
row forenoon it will be- necessary
for the house to adopt one or the other of
the two methods established by precedent
for such events, namely. to elect a 'tempo-
rary chairman or Temporary speaker" or
else commit the duty OF presiding to the
clerk. In the absence of any agreement tor
the perfection of the organization ot the
house. the course Of proceedings during the
coming week is Il matter of pure specula-
tion. In any event very little business will
be transacted in the house au ing the week.
The presidents message will be received
n an n IA
If the house completes its organization to.
morrow, aud for the remainder OF the week
brief sessions aud adiournments over for n
day or two at u time are probable. The
committees are not expected to be appointed
before the Christmas holidays, with the ex-
oeption of the committees OH rules, enrolled
bills and mileage, which are usually named
within few days after the speaker IL in
Quoted into office.