Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
No Excitement in Congress Over the
Presidents Message.
NO HOLIDAY RECESS YET DECIDED ON
Explanation and True Meaning Of
the Document.
MR.. REEDS PROPOSITION


taken. The Senate treated the message
with slight consideration, and there is ap-
parently only small minority sentiment
there in favor of delaying holiday adjourn
ment or in any way regarding the Presi-
dents recommendations. 1t was generally
understood before the adjournment resolu-
ton was adopted in the executive session
yesterday afternoon that the message,
which they had been notified was coming,
would ask for finacal legislation, and yet
they hastened to adopt the resolution while
awaiting the message Some of the Sem
ators-conspicUously Chandler-who are
anxious to force the organization of the
committees before the holidays, opposed
the resolution. but they were quickly over
ridden, the younger Senators, under the
leadership of Dubois voting with the demo-
Gratis for the recess.
For the House to Determine.
If the idea Of a recess is abandoned 1t
will be through the action Of the House, On
the advice of Mr.. Reed On the meeting Of
the House this morning the sentiment was
greatly divided on the question. There was
very little idea that anything could be ac-
ccmpli shed by the continued session, and
the chief argument advanced in favor of
remaining was purely political, it being held
that the republican House ought not to
place itself in a position which would ad-
nit of its b .ing said that they deserted the
President in a time of danger for the sake
of Christmas dinner at home. This con-
$ideration is liable to irfiuence the House to
abandon the holiday vacation.
The general opinion is that If Mr.. CleVe-
land calculated on the popularity of his
Venezuela message to give him influence TO
secure other legislation he DESIRES he en-
tirely nistook the sentiment of Congress.
Explanation of the Message.
An explanation of the message being
sent in suddenly after the usual hour of the
adjournment of the Senate, and after the
House had actually adjourned, is that 1t
was in consideration of the calling off of
the proposed meeting of the New York
chamber of comerce fer the condemnation
Of the Venezuela message. A call had been
signed by the requisite number of MEM
bers cf the chamber Of commerce for
meeting. the purpose being to condemn the
President. Mr.. Cleveland was notified that
this had been done and the meeting was to
be called A member of the cabinet at
once went to New York to prevent the
meeting if possible. After conferrlng with
the leading members and president of the
chamber Of commerce the meeting was
called off There were telephone communi-
cations between the Treasury Department
and New York, and then followed the mes
sage. Il is believed that it was on condi-
ton that Congres should be urged at once
to take action on finance that the meeting
was checked.
Its True Meaning.
The true meaning of the message is in
terprete to be that the President will meet
the situation by another issue of bonds.
1t is obvious to Others and probably to
him. that no such action as he desires can
be had by Congress while the Senate is in
it's present condition. His idea in calling
upon Congress instead of acting himself, is
heretofore, is believed to he merely to fix the
responsibility IL is probable that the House
responsibility it is probable that the House
will endeavor to pass mea asure of relief
speedily as possible. and then leave it with
the Senate, for which no party is rcspoa-
s:ble, to deal with the matter they see fit.
1t will probably lie with Mr. Reed to do as
he pleases in the matter, as far as the House
is cor cerned. After announcing his COM
mittees, he will confer with his leading
chairmen and the policy will be fixed He
has already conferred with most of those
men whose advice he generally seeks. and
it is pletty we'll understood what will be
done. The committee OF ways and means is
expected to organize a once, and TO take up
the question. The belief is that the COM
mittee will report substantially the propo-
sition made by Mr.. Reed during the last
Congress for a popular currency loan.
Mr.. Reeds Proposition.
This proposition reduced the rate of in
tercst and the term of the bonds, which
may now be issued for the purposes of re-
de,nption, and then, in addition, provides
THAT to enable the Secretary of the
Treasury 10 pay the current expenses of
| the government so long as current reve-
rues shall be deficient, he Is authorized and
| required from time to time, in his d!scre-
ton, to issue, sell and dispose of, at not
less than par, such an amount of certifi-
c;:tes Of Indebtedness Of the denomination
~
as may be necessary for that purpose, bear
ing not to exceed ) per cen: interest per
Srnum, payable semi-annually, and re-
deenlable at the pleasure of the govern
ment, in coin, after three years from their
date, with like qualities, privileges and
exemptions provided in the act approved
January IA, 1915. The Secretary of the
Treasury MAJ, at his discretion. sell and
dispose of the same for nos less than an
equal amount Of lawful money OF the
United States, at designated repositories
III the United States, and ut such post
offices as he may select, and he shall use
the proceeds thereof for the purpose pro-
vded in thi; section and for no other
1t is regarded as likely that such :, meas
ure may DE put through the House.
Increase Of Customs Duties.
Another proposition which the committee
on ways and means is expected to report
| promptly is for horizonta! increase Of the
| customs duties at the rate Of II per cent
| on all things now dutiabie, and 4 cores
pending duty on wool and lumber, ROW on
| the free list, the duties at this rate to run
| two years
This latter proposition may go through the
Senate, but the indication is that 10 propo-
s!tion for bonds pass that body.
| 1t is not altogether certain that an effort
| on the part of the House to do some hin e
| to relieve the situation will prevent holi-
| Gay recess. The committees being organized
| the ways and means committee can get
| to work, and there will be no absolute ,ecf
| for Congress to be IN session while they are
| formulating a measure. But the democrats =
of the House have decided to resist adjourn
| ment.
| An Army Board.
| The Secretary of War has appointed Maj