Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-25
Effect on the Session of Congress
Of Recent Developments.
SENATE MAY NOT ADGPT HOUSE BILLS
The President May Veto the
Propositions Advanced.
THEvENEzUELAN COMMISSION

Will the almost bewildering developments
of the past ten days have any effect on the
length of the present session of Congress?
When the session first began the republic
can hope, as expressed. was to be able to
clear the table of all business and adjourn,
at the latest. by the 1st Of July. The pro-
gram included bill Of some kind for In
creasing the revenue. declaration of some
kind rather than bill on the currency
question. and the passage Of the regular ap-
preparation bills. All else, 1t was thought,
could wait-at any rate there was a pur-
pose declared to make it wait The reve-
nue. bill and the financial deliverance would.
1t was calculated, consume the greater part
of the allotted six months. The appropria-
ton bills could be handled by the expedt-
tous methods attaching to mere routine.
The program seemed entirely feasible and
work was being cut out accordingly.
The Outlook Today.
What is the outlook today? That part of
the Houses work to which months had
been assigned Is to be executed in many
days. Two meetings of the ways and means
committee have sufficed to frame both
revenue bill and bond bill, and the House
In an equal length of time will pass both
Under a suspension of the rules. There will
remain. unexecuted. of the original pro-
gram. therefore, so far as the House Is con-
cerned. only the work necessary on the APP
preparation bills.
The Senate, of course will not be so ex-
pedittous. Serious divisions exist in that
body. both as to the revenue and the bond
bill to be received from the House. Debate
is threatened. and that means much in a
body whose rules put a premium on talk.
Obstruction, plain and upGisguiSed. may be
offered. The procedure will embrace the
reference of the two bills to the appropriate
committees. and an examination of them
there more or less le:snrely. Then the re-
hc,l hner ,fr1or
of the debate. Still. the fact that the Sem
ate will receive at so early a day these two
bills. which comprehend so great part OF
the important work of the session. ought to
count for much in bringing about an un-
usually early adjournment. That it will
amend both bills is thought to be certain,
but conferences between the two houses
can be and will be ordered as soon as the
amendments are formally acted on.
The Venezuelan Commission.
most disquieting suggestion relates to
the Venezuelan commission. Congress for
bore to Iut any time allowance on the work
Of the commission. 1t is to be guided solely
by what may appear to be the necessities of
the case. A trip to Europe and another to
Venezuela may be necessary But in any
event. the task is momentous. and carries
with it the injunction of thoroughness and
care. A report may be possible as early as
Lcdge-but some unexpected discovery
might protract the work several months
longer 1t seems safe to say that the COM
mission will not be hurried from any quar-
ter. So much depends on the result of its
labors. and 50 certain is its Recommended
ton Of adoption, that no shadow of haste or
incompleteness should rest upon the con-
cluSon reached.
business disposed of, adjourn before that is
received? The report, it is true, will be
made to the President. Congress has mere
ly authorized the commission. The Senate
did not ask the right even to confirm the
members of it. But, notwithstanding this, 1t
is thought to be altogether likely that the
President will want Congress to read and in
some way pass upon the commissions work
as soon as possible after he himself has been
advised of 1t. 1t may call for such action
the President singly would not feel himself
authorized to take. Curiosity on the sub
Ject Will be very great and worldwide. If
Congress. therefore. shall have any work to
perform in the premises after the report is
submitted. the sooner that work is
ncunced the better. and adjournment ought
not to take place until it is announced.
An Unprecedented Situation.
Taking one consideration with another, old
politicians pronounce the situation and the
outlook unprecedented. Congress is not
only called upon to proceed with most I'M
usual celebrity. but to hold itself in readiness
for all sorts of surprises. Suppose the two
bills to be passed by the House. covering
the two vital points of revenue and the gold
reserve. are rejected by the Senate. or put
into form unacceptable to the House; will
the House be called upon to try it all over
again on some other line? Suppose, in de-
fault of legislation acceptable to him, the
President goes into the market again and
again with bonds, under the old law; where
will the responsibility rest? Upon Congress,
for not meeting the Presidents wishes, or
upon the President, for insisting on his own
views al such time? And then suppose
that, in the midst of this contention over
domes-' matters, the Venezuelan commits
sion submits findings calling for another
sharp note to Lord Salisbury.