The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-03
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SOME or THE MOST IMPORTANT
MEAsURES TO CONE BEFORE
The Body which Convenss In Regular
Session To-Morrow VIII BE Meet
Important One.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 2-For 'hs
first time since 1860 the House can re-
sumo the consideration OF unfinished bust
ness Immediately on meeting. Up 10 and
including the session OF last Congress
Che 52d) the rules ci the House provided
that six days must elapse before the un-
finished business OF the previous session
could be taken up The rule was an Did
one. and It's Inconsistency was brought 10
light at the beginning of the second ses
sion Of last Congress, by hilgore. OF
Texas. The House tried TO take up an
unfinished measure. bat kilgore made the
point that six days must elapSe before the
matter could come up under the rules. He
carried his point, but the COMMITTEES
on Rules the next day reported resoiu-
ton. which was adopted. repeating the
six-day clause. The present rules OF the
House were framed SO as t. How business
to go ahead as IL no ie'.'Ss or adjourn
ment had taken place.
senate calendar Full.
The Senate calendar is full OF business.
There are hfty-six bills. seven misceiia-
neous documents, and one resolution
awaiting action. and there are a number
OF other measures lying on the calendar
subject TO call. Not much headway VIII be
made In the Senate at least until after
the Christmas holidays. The most import
ant bill on the calendar is Senate Itu
NO f03, Introduced by Mr.. Voorhees,,
August Is, and referred to the Committee
on Finance, which provides for the in
crease OF national bank circulation UP
10 the uar value Of the bonds deposited
to secure such circulation. 1t is doubtful
whether or not this bill VIII be called up
again. Mr.. voorhees, stated this afternoon
mat ne would take no steps I'm regard to
any matters before his committee. until
there had been meeting OF the committee,
and this meeting will be held Tuesday
morning at the usual hour OF II o'clock.
Proposed Chsng-s IN the HuIe-
An early subject for discussion will be
the proposed changes In the rules, which
the long debate on the silver bill brought
20 the attention of the Senate. There
are eighteen amendments now pending
before the Committee on Rules. and they
will meet at the earliest practicable mo-
ment. The great majority Of these amend
ments are In the direction OF cloture
and were introduced by senators as fol-
lows: Hill, D: Butler /; Mills. 1. Hoar 1;
Platt, ,; Lodge, 2; Galiagcr, - Dolph,
2; Henderson, 2; Voorhees, 1. Any re-
port made by this committee recommend
ing cloture will be the signal for the
opening OF prolonged and hot debate
I'm the House on Wednesday. Mr.. oates,
Of Alabama, will call up the bankruptcy
bill (Which was under consideration at
the conclusion of the first SESSION.. as
unfinished business Ground debate on
this measure has lasted some time. and
Mr.. Oates will ask that IL close in two
days Afterwards amendments viii be
I'm order, and debate under the favor Of
the minute rule will begin. MIR. Oates
hopes TO bring the measure TO vote in
eight or ten days. lie thinks It will pass.
and he will endeavor to have II voted on
before other measures of that urgency
claim the attention OF the House.
The New Tr. Bill.
The Ways and Means Committee are
anxious 10 get the tariff bill up as soon
as possible, and expect to do so before
the holiday recess. All other measurea
will then retire In the House and give
the tariff right OF way. Chairman Sayers,
Of the Appropriation Committee. VIII
have two or three appropriation bills
reading for the House 10 act upon by the
end OF the first weeks session. but he
will not offer them FOR consideration II
he sees that they viii In any way antago-
nlze the "all-important" question Of re-
vising the tariff laws He Informed Mr..
Crisp that the sundry civil and fortifca-
tions bills are complete.
II avy H.u.e cal nd r.
The House calendar contains some for
ty public bills and about fifty OF pn-
vate character. Mr.. Bland. who now
contests with Holman. the right 20 be call
led the oldest member Of the House, viii
endeavor TO bring up the silver question
at the earliest dhy. A majority or the
committee on coinage. weights and meas
ures, OF which he is chairman, is in IA
vor Of free coinage, and Will report fa-
vOrably a bill TO re-euact the coinage law
Of 1891 But the silver question cannot
come up I'm the House until the tariff bill
is disposed or At some time during
the session and as early as possible, Mr..
Wheeler Of Alabama. chairman Of the
committee on territories will ask the
House to consider the adyisability Of ad-
mitting 10 the Union as States. Arizona.
New Mexico and Utah.
Amb guon- C'su-.s in the Bili.
Assistant Secretary Hamlin and Mr..
Comstock, chief Of the customs division.
spent most Of to-day In carefully examin-
ing from a practical administrative stand
point. the administrative custom portion
OF the new tariff bill. A number OF am
bigious clauses have been found When
these experts in custom matters con-
clude their labors, the House Ways and
Means Committe will be given the be-
lief that their research and the bill be
adopted so as 10 make clear and positive
provisions and clauses which In some cas-
es at least. are susceptible Of varied con-
structiOn.
ratiug Postal Cards and Stamps.
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Dec. 2-The
final settlement OF the question OF sup
plying the Government with postal cards.
has been postponed by the appointment
OF commission by Postmas,er-General
Bissell to go 10 C8Stleton, n. Y. and
make a thorough test OF the card paper
being offered by Contractor Woolwerth.
The commission will also investigate any
other matter that may pertain 20 matter
In hand. Political gossips are writing
that the contract for printing the post
age stamps promises 20 be n trouble
some one for the administration. Pos.
master General Bissell II considering
proposition from the Bureau OF Engrav-
ing and Printing which - a branch OF
the Treasury Department, for the Bureau
TO do this work, instead OF letting IL
upon. contract 10 the lowest SiddeI. Sew
eral Democratic congressman from the
West and South are credited with inten-
ton to oppose the plan OF Government
work. and Ia carry their opposition 10
the floor OF the House. L. remonsfrance
with Postmaster-General Blsscll ana
| Secretary Carlisle Is incfectual.