Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-12-17

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and President Nc
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that his absence might not delay the na-
tional legislature ut its assembling. The
extra session robbed the opening of the
regular session of the excitement and i'll
terest which usually attach to 1t. AS
the House was completely organized ut
the extra session, md ul the committee
assignments were made then, beyond the
natural stimulus produced by the return
ing statesmen and the outlining OF
schemes by members of the "third house"
OF lobby, Washington on the night proceed
Ing the opening was tranquil.
The ceremonies attending the opening
Of Congress, though comparatively of a
routine character, make q spectacle which
In some respects is regarded as the great
est official event of the year ut the ma
donal capital. Monday the weather was
propitious. The sun shone brilliantly
from a cloudless sky, making q glorious,
bright December day, with n tinge of
frost in the air to invigoratc the lungs and
a breeze just strong enough to keep the
stars and stripes swapping from the flag
STATS. AT the capitol the crowd swarm
ed into the corridors ut nm early hour and
choked the marble steps as they assembled
to the galleries from which they We're to
view the show. AS is usual on such occa-
sions, the reserved galleries were careful
" guarded on both the House and Senate
sides, admission being only by card, and
the public had great difficulty in wedging
itself into the limited space set aside
for it.
The program at the House Monday was
very simple. The House was called to
order by the Speaker, who, after the chap
lain's invocation. directed the Clerk to
call the roll. This having been accom-
plished, and the presence of Il quorum
demonstrated, the clerk was directed to
notify the Senate that the House was
ready for business, and Il committee was
appointed to wait on the President. After
that there was Il recess to await the ar
rival of the Presidents annual message,
which was read upon its reception and
was followed by an adjournment until
Tuesday.
1t is the intention of the House leaders
to proceed with the business of the ses-
sion us rapidly as possible. The commit
tees will all begin their labors at once.
The appropriations committee has been at
work for ten days, and Chairman Cannon
expects to pass two of the regular budgets
before the holidays.
Among the early general measures to re-
ceive consideration will be the bankruptcy
bill. Whether it will be the Nelson bill,
which passed the Senate at the last ses-
sion, or u modification of the Torrey bill
depends on the temper of the Judiciary
Committee. which will submit the meas
urc to the House.
Beyond doubt there will be several res
olutions of inquiry during the first week
which may be more or less sensational,
and some of the radical pro-Cuba mem
bers will attempt to get consideration for
q Cuban resolution before the Foreign
Affairs Committee can act, but owing to
the nature of the House rules all these
hasty efforts will prove abortive, and they
probably will take their regular course.
simultaneously with the fall of Speaker
Reeds gavel in the House, Vice Presi-
dent Hobart called the Senate to order.
Half an hour before the Senate convened
the public and executive and reserved gal
leries were filled with spectators to wit
ness the opening of the session. The hand
some costumes Of the ladies added much
to the brightness of the scene. The SEN
ate chamber Mt the opening was n verita-
BILE conservatory. The floral display was
unusually rich and beautiful, and the
odor of flowers was heavy in the hall.
S~eventy-seven Senators responded to
their names on the roll Gull.
The Senate to start with had a calendar
Of about 300 bills reported from the com.
mittees during the special session. The
Indications on the opening day were for a
little more activity than usual during the
pre-holiday session. This is largely due
to the fact that the supporters Of the adj
ministration II advocates of annexation
are very anxious to secure the earlies,
possible consideration of the treaty with
Hawaii. Senator Davis, chairman of the
Committee IN Foreign Relations, an.
nounced his purpose of pressing annexa.
ton ut the earliest possible moment One
point which the committee will be called
upon to decide is whether to proceed ia
ratify the treaty of annexation or to an.
mex the islands by resolutions. The an.
neNntionists have lost some votes during
the vacation, and there is now apprehcn.
sion that the two-thirds vote necessary ia
assure the ratification cannot be secured
Some members of the Foreigns Rclations
Committee who favor annexation udyo.
cate this course because they say they see
no reason for traversing the same ground
twice. as they would he compelled to do in
case the matter should he first considered
in executive session. fail there, and ther
be taken up in thef form of Il resolution in
open Senate and House.
Despite all opposition, it is not doubted
Hawaii will be brought under the starr
and stripes. No act Of the American Con.
gress In many years past has attracted as
much attention throughout the world a.
the annexation Of a distant island is SUR
to attract.
What Congress will do concerning TIL.
Presidents presentation Of the State o,
our relations to Spain and Cuba only til,
future can determine. Unless some tur,
Of events rolses public opinion and find.
response in Congress it may be regarde,
as fairly certain the peace policy OF tn,
President will be supported by boil