The herald., 1897-12-01
SHADOWS
NOW CAST
By Congressional Events
to Come
MEMBERS SLOW TO GATHER
AND STILL SLOWER TO EXPRESS
OPINIONS
Republicans Show a Disposition to
Ignore Monetary Matters, Feel
ing Sure Of Opposition

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3o.-Members
of congress are unusually slow in putting
in their appearance here for the regular
session which convenes next Monday.
Up to this time here have been scarcely
more than half a dozen arrivals each
day. From now on, however. it is ex-
pected that the rush will begin, and that
a full attendance will be in their places
on opening day. Few of the leaders of
either house are here yet. This is es-
pecially true of the representatives.
Neither Speaker Reed nor Mr.. Dingley,
the floor leaders of the majority, will
reach Washington until Saturday or
Sunday.
CUBAN QUESTIONS
With the exception Of pronounced and
radical pro and anti-Cuban congress-
men, the members of both houses, as a
rule, seem to be holding their judgments
in allegiance until they ascertain from
official sources exactly what the situa-
ton is as to Cuba.
MONEY MATTERS
In the matter Of the currency money
it seems already established that the
Democrats and their free silver al
lies will oppose stubbornly anything
the majority is likely to propose, and
the fact that the opposition in the sem
ate seems insnrmountablei inclines many
of the Republican members of the house
to the opinion that it would be wisdom
not to attempt any legislation whatever.
Mr.. Hepburn Of Iowa is one Of these.
He thinks the futility of passing a meas
ure in the senate makes it inexpedient
for the house to attempt to put through
a measure, and. besides, he doubts the
propriety of the Republicans of the
house attempting to make Republicans
policy upon subject on which the Re-
publican platform does not speak to the
point.
He says if the president should, as re-
ported, recommend any scheme for the
retirement of the greenbacks, it would
be beyond the Republican platform, and
every Republican would be free to sup
port or oppose it, as his judgment indi-
Gated. There is some talk of a Republi-
can caucus on this question, many of the
members believing that if a currency
measure is to be passed, differences
could be most easily adjusted and con-
certed action secured in this way.
Mr. Walker of Massachusetts,, chair
man of the committee on banking and
currency, some time ago sent a letter to
every member of his committee, urging
the Importance of currency legislation,
and asking each member to be prepared,
as soon after the opening of the session
as possible, to work to the end that some
may be submitted to the house
for action.
COMMERCIAL QUESTIONS
Mr.. Hepburn, who is chairman Of the
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce, says he has received many
letters during the recess, particularly
from mercantile bodies, urging action on
the anti-scalping and pooling bills, and
he expects both these questions to re-
ceive early attention.
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS :.
Minister Hoshi of Japan will return
here on December 10th, after an ex-
tended visit home, during which he has
had an opportunity to confer with the
Japanese authorities concerning the an
nexation of Hawaii to the United States.
His return puts at rest reports that he
had been recalled permanently.
1t is understood that his return will
permit the Hawaiian question, so far as
it concerns Japan, to be brought to a
satisfactory conclusion. When Japan
first presented protest against the an
nexation of Hawaii to the United States
several spirited notes passed between
Secretary Sherman and Mr.. Hoshi.
Since then, however, there has been. a
change in the Japanese ministry, Count
Okuma, minister Of foreign affairs, re-
firing. This has given more concilia-
tory outlook to the negotiations, and lit
tie doubt is felt that the return of
Mr.. Hoshi will, bring about a satisfac-
tory termination of the incident.
CANNON'S POLICY
Representative Cannon, chairman OF
the committee on appropriations, ar
rived in Washington today. Speaking
to representative of the Associated
Press he said that his policy for the -ap-
preaching session Of congress as chair
man Of the house committee would be to
hold the appropriations SO far as he
could control them down to existing con-
ditions.
IT believe in a liberal, but not extrav-
agant policy in making appropriations .
he said, land until our revenues increase
shall oppose entering upon new enter
prises requiring the expenditure of gov
ernment funds"
Mr.. Cannon expressed the opinion that
by the beginning Of the next fiscal year
the Dingley tariff bill would afford rev.
enue sufficient to meet the legitimate de-
mands of the government. He also
stated his belief to be that the coming
session would be comparatively brief
one. I'VE should be away from here
easily by the first of June" he said.
Indeed, there is very little for us to do
beyond passing on great appropriation
bills. 1t is needless for US to attempt to
secure currency legislation, because OF
the impossibility Of getting anything