The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-02
NATIONAL LEGISLATION.
Efforts to Prevent the Necessity for an Extra
Session of Congress.

Efforts to Prevent the Necessity for an Extra
Session of Congress.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The Senate Is
shaping its business with firm determina-
tion to adjourn March 4th without leaving
behind 1t anything for an extra session.
This steering of the Republican majority
has already arranged programme that
would OF itself occupy the attention of the
Senate for two weeks. This arrangement,
however, is not final, as it must be formally
approved by Republican caucus, and it is,
besides, subject to interruption by the Appro-
priation Bill. The Fortifcation Appropria-
ton Bill comes up tomorrow as unfinished
business, and the Pension Appropriation
Bill on the calender with the District of
Columbia Appropriation Bill, soon to be
reported, will follow in their order.
In the morning hours an effort will be
made TO pass the Indian Depreciation Claims
Bill, and sandwiched bet weep the above
named appropriation bills there will prob
ably be an Eight-hour Bill and a Copyright
Bill. An Attempt is also being made to Sc
cure action upon the House Bankruptcy
Bill
Although the House has been engaged
practically the whole OF the past week in
consideration Of the regular annual appro-
priation bills these meas ures hre still in an
unusually backward state, and it is the iu-
tention OF the majority to permit substan-
TALLY no legislation except the Shipping
Bill to engage attention until the scene of
acton on the appropriation bills is very gen.
orally transferred from the House 10 the
Senate wing OF the capitol 1t is the pur-
pose of the Committee on Merchant Marine
10 make an effort to call up the Shipping
Bill and press 1t to fin al vote as soan as
the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation
Bill, now under consideration, is passed; but
In view of the determined opposition here
tofore made to the Shipping Bill there is
some question as to the ability of its friends
to carry out their expressed intention, es-
pecially as il is almost certain to be ahtag-
onZed by one or more appropriation bills.
Ihe Indian, Legislative, Executive and
judicial Appropriation bills are on the
calendar awaiting action, and they will be
called up at the first favorable opportunity.
Bland and other silver men are growing
restive at the failure of the Coinage Com
mittee TO act on the Silver Bill, and have
announced their determination if the conf
mttee does not settle the matter at the reg
ular meeting Wednesday to precipitate ac-
tion on the floor of the House without wait
ing Tor committee report. Only four
weeks and three days remain of the Fifty
nrst Congress, and not single one OF the
thirteen annual appropriation bills have
been finally passed by both branches of
Congress and sent to the President. But
one of these bills has passed the Senate
the Army Bill. While the present condition
aging as compared with their state of prog
rcsS in previous sessions, no doubt is enter
tanned by the members of the House or Sem
ate OF the ability Of Congress to complete its
necessary legislation before the 4th Of
March.
Representative Cannon, Chairman of the
Committee on Appropriations. says: We
are further behind this session than we
have been in any previous Congress. The
reason for delay is owing to the dilatory
tactics practiced by the Democrats. We
have lost much valuable time already, and
in consequence thereof many important
measures will have to go over. We want to
get the appropriation bills over to the Sen
ate as soon as possible. and if the Demo-
Gratis will stop their flibustering and give
their attention to public business, perhaps
we may be able to pass some of the merito-
rious bills on the calendar; but, as | am not
in the confidence Of The Democratic leaders,
of course | cannot say what they intend TO
do. There will be night sessions. but we
will not hold them until within about ten
days Of the 4th Of March,"