The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-12-02

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The first
week of the Fifty-fourth congress.
which convenes at noon tomorrow.
promises nothing at either end of the
capitol in the way of actual legisla-
ton.
The time before the Christmas holt
days is usually devoted to preliminary
matters. and the work of the session
does not begin until after the recess.
The new congress viii probably not be
an exception to this rule.
The senate proceedings may be en-
1ivened by an attempt at reorganiza-
ton, but in the house nothing can be
done until the committees are appoint
ed. Speaker-elect Reed says the COM
mittees viii not be announced this
week, with, perhaps, a single exception
the committee on rules This commit
tee formulates the rules which are to
govern the house during its sessions and
it is customary for the speaker to name
il during the first week. in order that it
can Immediately begin its laborS. While
it is believed the rules of the Fifty
first congress, over which Mr.. Reed
presided. will be reported for the guild
ance of the present house, 1t is under
stood a few changes viii be made, as a
result of experience, designed to still
further improve the house machinery
and the facilitation of public business.
- The Rattle.
dmorrow Mr. Kerr clerk of the last
house. will call the house to order.
After the roll call the election of Off
GERS nominated by the Republican eau
Gus Saturday night VIII occur ana as
soon as Mr.. Reed is formally Installed
as speaker the drawing e seats, which
is known Is the congressional 'raffie,
will follow This is a somewhat tedl-
Gus but amusing affair, and VIII &C
cIDy the remainder of the afternoon.
The reading CT the president message
z will consume Tuesday, and at It's con-
clusion the house win probably adjourn
until Thursday and on recovering
Thursday adjourn Immediately until
monday. These adjournments will con-
tinue probably until the committees are
announced. This is the programme out
the UNEXPECTED might occur, as II SO
often does in the house, II some aSplr-
ing members should Introduce Sensa-
tional resolution and ask Ior us III
mediate consideration.
Not Much This Week.
II is not proba bic that the first week
of Congress will witness mucn serious
effort at legislative work in the Sen
ate. If anything should be accom-
plished beyond the receipt of the pres
idents message and Of the recess NOM
inations and the introduction OF blliS.
the session would be an exception IN
the history Of the Senate.
In view of the fact that the message
will not be received until Tuesday, the
procee0ins of Monday viii consist Of
the swearing in of the newly elected
members who may be present and the
appointment OF a committee to wait
upon the president. The session will
probably not continue beyond / o'clock,
when the Republicans will meet i'll
caucus. The message will be read on
Tuesday and the brief sessions of w ed
nesday and Thursday will be devoted
largely to the introduction of bills, Of
which there will be several hundred.
Following precedents, the Senate
will adjourn on Thursday until The
following Monday. One or two brief
executive sessions for the reference
of nominations are also among the
probabilities for the week.
If the Republicans decide upon an
effxrt to reorganize. as is now gener-
conceded, the Democrats will fol-
lovS with a conference on Tuesday or
Wednesday, at which they viii prob
ably decide upon a course of action.
It now appears probable that all three
parties will place candidates for presi-
dent pro tenn in the field. and in that
event the week will be enlivened some
Vilar by a triangular contest for this
and other officers of the Senate.