The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-05
The Work That COnfrOnts the
Nations Legislators.
APPROPRIATIONS COME FIRST.
immigration, Anti-0ption and Pen.
sion Questions Are Chief Problems.
The Police Keep Vigil at the House OF
the Dead Gould-Mgr. SatoIli Dele
gated to Settle all Disputes Between
Catholic Ecciesiastics.

WASHINGTON CRY, Dec. 4.-The second
session of the Fifty-second congress.
which begins tomorrow. is likely to be
more remarkable for discussion than for
action, principally because of the lack of
opportunity for the latter. The thing that
Will be done is TO provide means for the
maintenance of the government. and 1t is
generally believed that the regular annual
appropriation bills will represent nearly
ali the positive achievements that can be
credited 10 the session.
There may, however, be several i'm
portant exceptions. One of them relates
to the subject of immigration. Public in
terest In the subject has been stimulated
by the radical suggestion of the senate inn
migration committee that all immigration
be suspended for one year. Undoubtedly
powerful influences will be brought TO
Compass the defeat of q bill embodving
such a proposition, but there may be
great public sentiment behind it that will
obiige congress to pass the measure. A
strong effort will certainly be made TO pro-
cure repeal of the Sunday closing clause
OF the Worlds fair act. There may also
be some action taken TO protect railroad
employees from the numerous casualties
resulting from obscure devices in
the coupling and stopping of freight
trains. These matters comprise
what the best judgment comedies
TO be all the probable original legisla-
tion on the part of the second session of
the Fifty-second congress. So much is in
volved in the revenue question and in the
appropriations TO be made that more or
less division on these topics may be ex-
pected.
The senate finance committee has not
yet completed its mpilation of the
series OF elaborate reports upon different
tariff systems tried in the United States.
The reports will probably be most inter-
esting and may come under discussion at
some period of the session. Then there
are bills to admit Arizona and Mexico to
statehood. The house passed both, and
the New Mexico bill is on the senate
calendar. favorably reported from the
territories committee.
The anti-option bill has advanced so far
as to become unfinished business in the
senate. 1t is known that large majority
of that'body favors its passage. but its re-
newal has not been determined, and
owing to skiilful obstructive tactics the
result is still doubtful.
There will probably be many PROPOSE
tions and much talk looking to reforms in
the national banking laws. State bank
tax may also be fruitful theme for dis
cussion.
Strong efforts will be made by the house
appropriations committee TO retrench ex-
penditures at every point, but as this must
be done with great care IN order to avoid
embarrassment to the incoming Demo-
cratic administration, there may be
many stormy debates and much
feeling aroused before the desired
result is obtained. In connection with
appropriations is the pension list and
there will be no lack of suggestions look
ing 10 changes in the laws designed to
regulate more closely the enormous
expenditures under that head. On
Tuesday the presidents message will be
read and Is likely to fill out the legislative
day.
If the senate takes up the anti-option
bill as unfinished business tomorrow, the
entire week will be consumed in its dis
cussion unless it be displaced by other
business.
When the house meets tomorrow it will
find itself confronted with large calendar
and some bills of considerable importance,
but the prospect of their bing enacted into
law is no; bright. Not less than 1000
pension and chaim bills are languishing
upon the private calendar. 1t is probable
that nothing Of importance will be taken
up for action by the house during the
first week,