Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-07
Both Houses to Assemble at
Noon Today.
Irhe Session Destined to Be a
Remarkable One.
Many Fierce Political Battles Are
Likely to Be Waged.
The Speakership Contest Remains Un-
chsnged-B usiness Apt to BE De-
layed Till the Deadlock
Is Broken.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.-Tomorrow noon
the fifty second congress will assemble.
With one branch of the national legisla-
ture in possession of each of the two
great political parties, and both striving
to shape the course of legislation so as
to affect in their interests the approach
ing presidential campaign and secure
supremacy in the control Of the govern
ment, it may fairly be assumed that the
.fifty.second congress will take a promi-
nent place in the history of legislative
assemblies.
In view OF the conflicting majorities
in the two branches, it Is not possible
that when it has concluded its labors it
will have added to the statutes many
measures of national Importance, but
beyond doubt many fierce battles will
be waged upon the leading issues be-
tween 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 oppor-
tunity in debate for, bringing their de-
mands and principles before the country.
ASSEMBLING OF THE SENATE.
The usual decorous quiet is expected
to characterize the assembling Of the
senate tomorrow. An unusually large
number 81 senators will stand before the
vice-president to take the oath of Office,
for thirty-two (nearly half the members
ship of the senate) are either new to
that body or begin new terms OF service.
David B. Hill, governor of New York,
is not expected to appear for some time,
and his credentials have not been filed
with the secretary. Red6eld 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 it presented tomorrow.
In two cases there are rival claimants
for seats. Mr.. Dubois of Idaho ie chai-
lenged as to the validity OF his title by
Mr.. Claggett, but, as the name OF the
former appears upon the secretary's list,
he will besworn in, and Claggett,s claim
win be examined by the committees on
privileges and elections. Mr.. Call OF
Florida also finds contestant in Mr..
Davidson, who is armed with the gov
ernor's certificate, and his case may pos
sibly be referred to the same committee
, to report, before either party is ad-
mitted.
Should the house fail to organize to-
morrow, the senate will not be able to
transact business, for its inability to
notify the president through joint
committee, of its readiness to receive
his communications, will operate to de-
fer for a time the presentation OF the
annual message, as we'll as the large ac-
cumulation of recess appointments that
must be sent to the senate for confirma-
tion. .G
Conferences will be held by the sem
ators,of the different parties early In
the week, to exchange memberships OF
committees, task of more than ordi-
F, nary importance this time, in view OF
the incoming of fifteen new senator's.
THE srEAKERsIIIP DEADLOCK.
Unless there is radical change in the
speakership situation tonight or early
tomorrow morning, the house, for the
fret time since the thirty-sixth con
sress when the last deadlock over the
speakership occurred) will meet with
out the previous selection by the DOM
inant party of the presiding officer for
the popular branch Of the legislative
department. Though this condition OF
things has not existed in recent years,
it was not 60 rare in the stormy years
between the Mexican and civil wars,
when the conflict over the slavery ques-
tion drew the lines without and within
the parties tense and close. Thus, in
the twentv.sixth congress the speaker
was not elected for eleven days, a chair
man in the meantime being appointed
to administer the rules OF the house.
In the thirty-frst congress nearly q
month elapsed before a speaker was
elected, and this period OF practical
interregnum was prolonged to two
months in the thirty-fourth and thirty
sixth congresses, In the two last named
cases the clerk of the house presided.
Should there be failure to decide
upon a speaker at the caucus tomorrow
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: Temporary
chairman" or Temporary speaker" OF
else commit the duty OF president te
the clerk.
In the absence OF an agreement fol-
the perfection of the organization OF the
house, the course OF the proceedings
during the coming week is a matter o
pure speculation. In any event very
little business will be transacted IN tht
house during the week. The president
message will be received and read &C
cording to custom, on Tuesday, if thu
thouse completes organization tomorrow
and for the rest OF the week brief ses
sions and adiournments over for da.
or two at time are probable. Th
committees are not expected to be ap
pointed before the Christmas holidays
with the exception OF the committees Of
rules, enrolled bills and mileage, whicl
are usually named within few day
after the speaker is inducted in Office.
Both Mills and Crisp expressed them
selves as confidentsof ultimate success
and would say nothing further.
THE SPEAK ERsHIP.