Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-12-05
AT THE OLD STAND.
Our National Law Factory on
Business Intent.
THE STATESMEN RETURN TO DUTY


Somewhat otherwise-No Message Until
To-morrow-Little Legislation Looked
For Except that Providing the Neeces-
sary Funds TO Keep Things Moving
Washburne Sanguine as to the Fate of
the Anti-Option Bill.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-With large pro-
portion of the members present in both
houses the second session of the Fifty-sec-
ond congress met today at noon The
scenes on the floor before the gavel fell call
ing the members of the house to business
were similar to those of other congresses,
and there was crowd in the galleries
The smiles which adorned the faces of the
Democrats Were however, more expressive
than ever before, probably in view of the
great November slump and the almost
certainty that the next congress would
have Democratic majority in both
branches, with Democratic president "at
the other end Of the avenue" to review the
work; while the Republican smile was sar-
donic-a sort Of wait-till-1S96 sort of affair.
Message To BE Sent in Tomorrow.
After ascertaining that a quorum was
present in each branch resolutions were
passed authorizing the appointment of
committees to call on the president and in
form him that congress was organized and
ready to proceed to business. The commit
tee was informed and so reported that the
president would shortly communicate with
congress in writing The message is ex-
pected to reach the Capitol at about
O'Clock tomorrow afternoon. While the
committees were executing the commission
entrusted to them the senate and house had
very little todo. and didn't want to do that,
as usual on opening days. There was much
conversation in the waiting period, and
many quiet thrust was exchanged between
opposing partisans.
viii Push the Anti-Optiou Bill.
1t is the general impression that the
coming session will add but little to the
legislative records of the country except in
the matter OF appropriation bills The
first order of business on the calendar of
the senate is the anticipation bill and it is
the purpose of its friends to maintain it in
its favored position until disposed of by
vote. Washburne, who has charge of the
the campaign in favor of the bill says the
recent rise in cotton has not tended to
ALLEVIATE support from the measure, al
though he admits he was afraid it might
90 so. He says: "Our determination Is to
keep the anti-option bill on the calendar as
unfinished business until it is disposed of.
No Abandonment of the Fight.
Last session l allowed the bill to be laid
aside informally number of times in order
that senators might obtain consideration
for measures in which they were interested.
This session, while occasionally the anti
opJion hill may give way informally Tor
matters that can be promptly acted up.u.
1t viii not be displaced 10y any proposition
that causes debate, unless it is voted out OF
its present advantageous position by It's
opponents Weshall persist III cur endeavor
to secure action, and shall not voluntarily
abandon the fight"
Thinks He Has Two to One.
WashbDrne estimates the number of the
friends of the bill at two to one TO it, on
poneuts ana SAYS no other bill can DE
taken up in its place. But lively contest
on this point may be expected should SLe7-
man undertake 10 aat,-gJnize the me;.5-.o
with Il bill L repeal the silver law OF 1890.
which he has intimated he will introduce.
The proposition covered by this bill Is of
such general interest, it is believed by
some, that Is consideration could be Sc
cured even against the anticipation bill.
None of the appropriation bills is expected
in the senate before the holidays.
Week of Waiting in the House.
There is nothing Of special Importance on
the house calendar. and no appropriation
bills are expected to make their appearance
the first week of the session Efforts will be
made to push several bills that attracted
attention las session relating to the reve-
nue.. Scott of Illinois has given mott. e
= rk.,,, Il
his bill for the repeal OF the sugar bounty
But the first week will probably not show
any measure further along on the calendar
than il now is.
Estimate of the New Congress.