The morning call., 1892-12-05
PLENTY OF TALK.
The Prospect Ahead of
Congress.
STALL CHANCE FOR ACTION.
Inc House VIII Do Little rlore Than
Pass the Bills for the Govern
ment's Maintenance.
Special TO THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON. Dee. 4.-The second ses-
sions Of the Fifty-second Congress, which
begins tomorrow, is likely to be more re-
markable for discussion than for action,
principally because of lack Of opportunity
Tor the latter. The only thing that will be
done is the providing of means for the
maintenance Of the Government. and it is
generally believed that the regular annual
appropriation bills will represent nearly ali
the positive achievements that can be cred
tied to the session. There may. however.
be several important exceptions. One of
them relates 10 the subject Of immigration.
The public interest in the subject has been
stimulated by the radical suggestion Of the
Senate immigration Committee that all i'm
migration be suspended for one year. Un-
doubtedly powerful influences will be
brought to compass the defeat Of any bill
embodying such a proposition, but it may
be that the great public sentiment behind it
VIII oplige Congress 10 pass the measure.
A strong effort viii certainly be made to
procure the repeal OF the clause closing the
Worlds Fair on Sundays. Perhaps some
action will be taken to protect railroad
employees from the numerous casualties
that result from Inefficient devices to couple
comprise what the best judgment comedies
to be all the original legislation which will
be undertaken at the second session of the
Fifty-seeond Congress.
SO much Is involved in the revenue Ques-
tion and in the appropriations to be made
that more or less division en- the topic may
be exrected. The Senate Finance Commit
tee has not yet completed its compilation OF
the series Of elaborate reports on the differ
ent tariff systems tried In the United States.
The reports probably will be the most
interesting and may come under discussion
at some period of The session.
Then there will be bills to admit Arizona
TO statehood. Tie House passed both, and
the New Mexico bill is on the Senate calen-
dar, having been favOrabiy reported from
the Territories Committee. The anti
option bill has advanced so far as to be-
come unfinished business in the Senate 1t
is known that large majority OF that body
was in its favor last session, but it is threat
ened with renewal of determined and
skhlful Obstructive tactics, and the result is
still doubtful There will probably be
many propositions and much talk looking
10 reforms in he national banking laws.
The State bank tax may also be a fruitful
theme Of discussion.
Strong efforts will be made by the House
Appropriations Committee to retreneh ex-
penditures at every point, but as this must
be done with great care, in order 10 avoid
embarrassment TO the incoming Democratic
administration. there may be many stormy
debates and much feeling aroused before
the desired result is obtained. In connec-
tion with the appropriations is the pension
list, and there VIII be no lack of sugges tions
looking TO changes designed to regulate
more closely the enormous expenditures
under thet head.
Tuesday the Presidents message will be
read and is likely to Ill cut the legislative
day. In the Senate the anti-option bill is
unfinished business. and il the measure is
taken up tomorrow the entire week will he
consumed in discussion, unless it is dis
placed by other business.
When the House meets tomorrow il will
fnd itself confronted with large calendar.
There are some bills Of considerable im-
poitance awaiting its action. hut the pros
pect Of their being enacted into laws
Is not bright. Not less than loco
pension and claim bills are languishing
upon the private calendar. Ii is probable
that nothing OF importance will be taken
up for action by the House during tie first
week.