The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-15
CONGRESS TO AGAIN CONVENE.
FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY
FIFTH OPENS TODAY.

The Anglo Nmerichn Arbitration
Treaty the First Matter to Come
Before the Senate That VIII Re-
quire Close Application to Busi-
ness-OppOsitIOn to Seating FIOri-
dR's New senator Not PrObRblc-A
waiting Game I'm the Organization
of the Committees.
Washington, March H.-To-morrow at
noon both houses of the Fifty-fifth con-
gress will convene In extra session.
1t is not thought likely that the Sem
ate viii remain In continuous session dur
ing the week, unless the President is much
more expeditions than he has been In
making nominations. There Is nothing
before the Senate, and there will be Moth
ing TO require close application to busi-
ness until the committee on foreign rela-
tions reports the arbitration treaty with
Great Britain. A special meeting Of the
committee for the further consideration
OF this subject has been called for to-mor-
row.
When Senator Davis motion TO refer
the treaty back to the committee was dis
cussed during the recent special session,
there was a general expression of opinion
that the designation of judges Of the Unit
ed States supreme court as members OF
the tribunal should be eliminated 1t
was thought that as jurists in the court
Of last resort In this country the judges
might be called upon to pass on questions
similar to those that might arise under
this treaty of arbitration. and, should this
prove to be the case. the situation would
be more than embarrassing, as the opin-
ion OF the judge as a member of our own
court might act as an estoppel in the
exercise Of his rights as an independent
member of the tribunal.
1t is almost certain that the treaty Will
also be amended along the lines OF the
Turpie amendment Of the last session,
so as to provide that every case or ques-
tion intended to be submitted to arbitra-
tion under this general treaty shall first
be submitted to the Senate for its rati-
fication.
1t seems to be a general impression that
when the senator, appointed by the gov
ernor Of Florida to succeed Mr.. Call ar
rives, he will be seated. The legislature
of florida does not convene until April z,
and six years ago the Senate seated Mr..
Pasco, ad interim, under precisely similar
conditions.
The appointee from Oregon in place OF
| Mr., Mitchell has not yet arrived. His
| claim to seat is regarded as res adjudi-
| cata by the decision of the Senate In the
! Montana, Washington and Wyoming cases
| In the last congress. His credentials will
| undoubtedly be sent to the committee OF
| privileges and elections, as were those oi
| Maj. A. T. Wood, the appointee of Gov
| Bradley of Kentucky.
Meanwhile the republicans, In the mat.
ter Of the organization of the commit
tees. are playing a waiting game. They
will make no effort to do more than fill
| their own vacancies until the legislatures
| OF these two states elect. II Is under
stood an agreement has about been reach
| ed with the democrats to this end The
| proposition 10 consolidate all elements op
| posed to the republicans for the purpose
| of capturing the organization and com
mittees. appears to have fallen through
| owing to the inability of these elements
/ 10 come together.
The republican majority Of the House
having adopted IN caucus with unanlmity
the whole ticket. the organization Of that
| body will take but little time, and there
desire for days longer time. why the
| President should not send In his message
to congress on the opening day--whch II
rather an unusual happening. All The
| House has 10 do after organizing is tC
| draw for seats, and this can easily bt
| done while the Joint committee is on the
| way to the white house 10 notify the
| President that the Fifty-ffth congress /:
| ready for business.