The Red Cloud chief., 1892-12-16
CONGRESS AT WORK.
Topics That May Cause Endless
80 Discussion. 81
A joint Resolution to Change The Presi-
destiai Election to Popular Vote fa-
vored : Army Bill Prospects
Deficiencies. Etc.

.H lStucteh'tVbs y 1
WASHINGTON, Dec. lat is rarely
that any legislation Of practical impor-
lance Is achieved in congress before the
new year, with the possible exception
of one of the annual appropriation
bills, and this session is not likely to
prove exceptional in this respect
In both houses the work is progress
ing in a manner that indicates lack OF
real earnestncss. The prominent feat
ures Of this weeks proceedings are
likely to be the ~anti-option bill in the
senate and an appropriation bill in the
house. The anti-option bill is the un-
finished business on the senate chlcn-
dar, aud is expected to be laid before
that body to-day unless an early adj
journment prevents it.
|. In the morning hour Senator Mitchell
will discuss his joint resolution propos-
ing an amendment to the constitution
providing for the election OF senators
by tho votes OF the qualified electors of
the states. This joint resolution Is In
dorsed by the committee on privileges
and elections and is undoubtedly strong
" thAC oCu6bC, Out OcCtuSc VI " HiCab
Importance it Is hardly TO be assumed
that it a be passed during the scanty
| opportunity offered by the morning
hour.
Once the anti-option bill is laid before
the senate 1t will be open to discussion
again, and positive action on the mat
ter Is expected this week. From pres
ent indications the daily sessions will
be short and an adjournment will be
taken from Thursday to the following
Monday. 1t is quite probable that in
the house ncX week II great deal of in
formation and opinions based on in
formation will be submitted relative to
the condition of the treasury.
1t is the expectation of the leaders
that with the exception of Monday,
when bills concerning the District Of
Columbia will have right of way, prac.
tically the whole time Of the house dur
ing the week will be devoted to consid-
Grafton OF the regular appropriation
bills. The debate will begin on the
army appropriation bill, which the mil
itary committee will report to-day and
which Chairman. Cultivate at present
intends to call up tomorrow.
1t is likely that the debate will take
q much wider range than this bill and
will embrace the state of the
of existing appropriations aud, it is
possible, of the policy of the democratic
party. The army bill in it's aggregate
shows II reduction from the total
amount carried by the bill for the cur
rent fiscal year, but there have been
1 ;.usa. ,,,laf q, xka ,,..~.;,
tions under the head OF department OF
ordnance"
The military committee would not be
surprised IL an attack was made on
some of these items by Mr.. Holman and
other rigid economists. 1t is prepared
for any criticisms which may be made
by adopting in its report the statements
made by Gen. Flaglcr showing the real
and urgent necessity for additional APP
preparations, and is in for u lively fight
IL needqbc.
The appropriations committee has
been ut work on the District of Column
biasn nd fortification appropriation bills
for some time, and expects to report
the latter bill in time to be taken up as
soon as the army bill is passed
The district of Columbia bill has
caused considerable trouble 10 the sub
committee in charge of 1t. A host Of
local government officials have been
examined and to-day the ~sub-commit-
tee will begin the annual preparation
Of the bill. 1t Is believed that the bill
will be reported to the house the latter
part Of this week "sAf ~'NS'
Estimates for deficiencies have been
received and they will be embodied in
an urgency deficiency bill, to be report
ed to the house and taken up almost
Immediately for action, any other bills
under discussion to temporarily give
way.
1t is the purpose of the managers OF
the house To get all these bills over To
the senate before the holiday recess.
The accomplishment Of this purpose
largely depends on the temper of the
house, which, If in the mood, can pro-
tract consideration of the bills over
soypral yyaakS