The record-union., 1891-02-08
AN EXTRA SESSION.
RUMOR CURRENT THAT CONGRESS
WILL BE RECONyENED.
Reciprocity Treaties VIII Probably be
the Subject Dealt
With.
Special to the REcoRp-us1ox.


NEW YORK, Feb. THE Sun has the
following editorial this morning: We
are not speaking from mere possibilities
when we inform the public that proc
lamation from the President may be ex-
pected, probably before the 10th of this
month, calling an extra session of the
Senate to meet in Washington on the 4th
OF March, or Immediately afterward. 1t
may also. be presumed that the business
tobe brought before this called session
Will be OF more than ordinary import
ance.
HOW THE RUMOR IS RECEIVED
WASHINGTON, Feb. THE report that
the President will call an extra session of
the Senate is variously received here.
Senator Chandler saw the President to-
day, and nothing was said about it.
Senator Frye of the Foreign Affairs
Committee says he has not heard of it.
Still there was considerable talk among
the Senators yesterday about the rumor.
and 1t was more in the nature of feeling
the pulse of the Senate in regard to it.
a very erroneous opinion exists that
the recent proclamation about Brazil was
treaty or an agreement. 1t is not. 1t
is SIMPLY proclamation under the Nc
klnley bill, that Brazil has consented to
allow our agricultural products to enter
free OF duty, and the President thus in
forms the nation.
A Senator said to your correspondent
to-day: This proclamation and others to
follow do not need any legislation or ac-
ton by the Senate. But L will say that
the reciprocity treaties, which are now
being considered by our Government and
South American countries, will REQUIRE
action by the Senate. These will he
treaties. II these negotiations have pro-
ceeded so far as to be ready for the Sen
ate, then, no doubt, an extra session will
be called to indorse them; but the Senate
now has nothing to do with the proclama-
ton just issued.''
This carries out hint given by prom
lnent American Minister to a FOREIGN
court, that the Mckinley bill does not
give the power for a treaty, but that Con
gress would give it when Mr.. Blaine had
the treaties ready
Secretary Blaine has been in the Senate
Foreign Affairs Committee room ali
morning in consultation with members
of that committee and the Republican,
leaders in general. The subject of dis
cussion was whether reciprocity WonId
be proceeded with by Presidential procla-
nation or treaties. If by the former no
extra session of the Senate will be neces-
sary, but if by the latter an extra session
would have to be had. 1t is the belief of
republican Senators that Secretary
Blaine will carry to the President the
views he secured in the conference. and
the proposition for an extra session to
consider treaties will be determined nv
the President next week Meanwhile
all announcements that an extra session
is certain are necessarily speculation.
PROBABLE. TREATIES WITH CANADA.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA member of
the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions told the California Associated Press
representative to-day that if an extra
session OF the Senate was called, it would
be for the purpose of ratifying the reci-.
procity treaty with Canada or a treaty
with the province regarding the Behring
Sea or the North Atlantic fisheries. 1t
seems probable that the State Depart
ment is now engaged in negotiations of
some kind or other with Canada. and
that there will be am extra session of the
Senate.
In speaking of the prospects of an extra
session, Representative Morrow said it
would not surprise him if there would
soon be five or six treaties which would
have to be ratified.
Il am of the opinion" said he, ''that
our diplomatic negotiations this summer
will be regarded among the splendid
achievements of this Administration. If
we can advance our commercial interests
abroad by treaty stipulation, pass the
shipping bill, the Nicaragua Canal bill
and the trans-Pacific cable bill, the Ad-
mlnistration will be one of the most
popular this country has ever seen, and
will be well nigh invincible before the
people at our next Presidential election.n