The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-09
CONGRESS-.
Cannot Move Until Committee Ap-
pointments Are Made.
CHAIRMANSHIPS IN THE SENATE
Already Practically Agreed
Upon by Republicans.

are that the work In the senate this weeS
will be given up largely to caucusing by
all parties, and that the senate daily ses-
sons will be brief. with little effort at
legislation. The introduction Of bills will
be continued, though no work Of conse-
auenae can be done until the committees
are filed.
There is nothing on the calendar except
two speeches, one by Senator Morgan on
the Bchring sea question, and the other
by Senator Cullom on his Monroe doc
trine resolution. IL is understood that
Senator Morgan will pay his respects to
Ambassador Pauncefote and Lord sails
bury.
The house program this week is dreary
waste Until the committees are Ap-
pointed, the machinery Of the house Is
blocked, and nothing can be done, save by
unanimous consent Speaker Reed ex-
poets 90 announce the committees by the
end of the week. The indications are that
practically nothing can be done In the
way OF the consideration OF actual legsla-
tion until after the holidays. However,
the congressional hoppers are filing up.
preparatory 10 the grinding that will fol-
low later. Last week several hundred
bills were introduced, and it is probable
that fully as many will be started on their
journey 20 the statute books this week.
As the president Is absent on his hunt
ing trip, there Is no probability that the
reply Of Lord Salisbury 10 Secretary
Olncy's note regarding the Venezuelan
boundary dispute, in which congress is so
deeply interested, will be sent TO the
house this week. There may be an at
tempt through resolution 10 procure
from Secretary Olney the letter sent by
him 10 the English premier last July, and
Lord Salisbury's reply received Saturday,
but should such an attempt be made it
will unquestionably prove abortive.
The adoption of such resolution would
require unanimous consent. and there is
no doubt that some friend Of the admin
istration will object to IL as lacking in
Difference to the president in his absence,
and the fact that Mr.. Cleveland in his
message advised congress that be would
send the reply 20 congress with special
message would doubtless be taken as an
additional reason why IL would not be good
taste to- make IA demand on the executive
department of the government until it
manifested at least a disposition to send to
congress the correspondence.
Inc hepuDlicau taucus committee
of the senate will hold its first formal
meeting today after the adjournment OF
the senate for the purpose OF considering
the question OF filing the committee
vacancies and selecting chairmen of the
various committees While nothing has
been finally agreed upon, it looks now as
# the chairmanships of the more impor-
tant committees would be assigned as fol-
lows:
Agriculture, Proctor; appropriations,
Allison; coast defense, Squire; census,
Chandler; commerce, Frye; District of
Columbia, Mcmillan; finance, Morrill,;
fisheries, Perkins; foreign relations, Sher-
man; immigration, Lodge; Indian affairs,
Pettigrew; interstate commerce, Cullom;
judiciary, Hoar; military affairs, Hawley;
naval, Cameron; postofficcs and post
roads, Wolcott; printing, Hale; privileges
and elections, Mitchell OF Oregon; public
buildings and grounds, Quay; relations
with Canada, Carter; rules, Aldrich; terri
tories, Davis.
Among the important chairmanships
concerning which there is no certainty as
yet are those Of contingent expenses,
claims, education and labor enrolled
bills, library, Pacific railroads, patents,
pensions railroads and revision of the
laws.
Changes Likely to Occur.
Senator Shoup is the senior Republican
on pensions, but the probabilities are that
he will surrender the chairmapship 10
Senator Gallinger and accept another as
signment. Senator Jones of Nevada will,
in all probability, be returned to his old
position on contingent expenses, notwith-
standing his independent proclivities.
Senator Mitchell is the only Republican
on the committees of claims, and as he
will probably resign his membership, it
will be necessary 10 reconstruct the COM
mittcc entirely. Senator Hansbrough
could have the craftsmanship Of this COM
mittee, bat it understood that he has
virtually declined IL.
There are committees on which member
ships are as eagerly sought as are the chair
mansh.ps Of others. These arc appropria-
tious, judiciary, finance, foreign relations
and commerce. There has been some talk
OF increasing the last committee from
members TO H., but the probabilities are
against this II il is not increased, and II
the Republicans organize, Senator Brice
will be retired from the committee and
his place will be filed by Republican.
The aspirants are Senators Quay, Petit
grew and Perkins.
1t appears probable that the finance
committee will be enlarged from IL 10 13
members. In that event the Republicans
will name Senators Cameron and Platt
for the two places ut their disposal, and
the Democrats would probably select Sen
ator Daniels as their additional representa-
tive.
Senators Wolcott and Lodge are slated
for foreign relations.
The membership Of the judiciary com.
mittee has been considerably discussed.
There are two vacancies there, and IL is pos
sibe they may be- given TO Senators Davis
and Thurston, or 20 Thurston or some
other new man
There are four places TO be filed on the
committee on commerce, but nothing is
certain about the filling Of these, except
that one of the places will go to u Pacific
coast member, probably Senator Squire.