The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-07
Many congressman Ex-
change COurteSieS.
The Usual Big Crowd at the
National Capital.
Members OF the Senate at Variance
on The .Dingley Bill.

Washington, Dec. 7.--Washington, al.
ways busy city at the beginning OF
session of congress- is even more so this
year. owing. no doubt. to the fact that
there Is soon 10 be a change OF edmlE'
istration and the presence OF the friends
OF many who hope to become oifciall,
connected with the new regime.
AS this In the short or closing session
or the present congress there is none oi
the anxiety on the part OF members oil
the house usually manifested regarding
committee places. and while congress-
men are here In the usual numbers theiI
coming is rather as the meeting of OLD
frlends ana their time has thus far been
largely spent in the exchange OF con.
gratulations or regrets.
There was the usual crowd at the
Capitol when the two houses convened
all the public galleries being crowded
long before the hour of meeting. The
scene on the floor OF the house was an
animated one and the hearty hand
shakes made the gathering seem like
reunion. Perhaps no representative was
the recipient of more attention than
Congressman Towne OF Minnesota, who
By his secession from the st. Louis con.
vention and his adherence to the cause
OF silver, went down in defeat. On the
floor OF the senate the gathering was
more d.gnified, and while courtesies were
freely exchanged. there was more OF
tendency to gather In little knots for
conference and a quiet exchange of
Views on the situation. A decided divi'
sion OF sentiment prevails regarding ac-
ton on the Dingley tariff bill. and this
tcric more than any other ruled in SEN
atorial conversation.
Cabinet making was also discussed
quite generally and one senator, who Is
high In the counsels of his party. stated
that three positions seemed TO DE pretty
well settled upon, and SAID that Nelson
Dingley OF Maine. now chairman Of the
ways ard means committee, seemed tc
be slated for secretary Of the treasury.
Gr. Dingley, II was said, has the matter
under consideration. The other two men
who We're considered as quite sure OF
cabinet places were Cornelius N. Bliss of
New York for secretary OF the navy and
Henry G.. Payne OF Wisconsin for post
master general or secretary OF the in
terror.
Vice President Stevenson promptly
called the senate TO order at noon.
immediately after the opening prayer
committees were appointed to notify
the. president and the house OF repre-
eeatatives that the senate was organized
and ready TO receive communications
and proceed with business. The senate
then took q recess until the message of
the president was received.
Immediately following the reading.
which was gwen the closest attention,
adjournment was taken.
The first week of the session IL not ex.
pected to be productive of important re-
cults In q legislative way. There are
many senator's who think that but little
or nothing should be done beyond the
passage of the appropriation bills at this
s. ssion. and as these messages neces-
sarily originate in the house there will
he a disposition TO postpone the season
OF activity until some OF them can be re-
ceived from the other end of the Capitol.
1he probabilities are that the daily
aesslons at the beginning will be COM
paratively brief. and that the senate will
content itself with four days work each
week.
The calendar presents q wide range OF
material for consideration in case the
senate shows a disposition to busy tt
self. In this is included the immigra-
tlOn DlIl WHICH ls the DuSl-
ness" tho Pacific railroad refunding
bills, the statehood bills and the Ding
ley tariff and bond bills. as well as the
Cabf~ and Hawaiian questions. Sena-
tors Lodge and Chandler have an
nounced tholr determination 10 press
the Immigration bin TO vote as speedily
as they can. Ii will be the first regular
business to be taken up, and cannot be
t.Spfucrd except by vote or unanimous
consent. They hope to get the bill
through before the holidays. 1t is also
POSSIBLE that the presidents message
may suggest subjects for speeches. and
there are those who predict that the
Cuban question will receive vigorous
attention from the beginning OF the ses-
sion.
1t is generally agreed that the Republi-
cans will hold a caucus to determine
upon a line OF policy. especially with
reference TO tho tarlf. and until after the
exchange Of views which this confer
cree viii permit. no step Ia likely TO be
taken which VIII commit the party to
any position on any question of political
significance.
Speaker Reed raped the house 20
order as the clock pointed to the hour OF
loon. With the exception OF the APP
rvintmcnt OF the usual committees the
tay was devoted to the consideration OF
the presidents message. the reading of
which was given unusual attention.
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