Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-12-09

~~. @@ anu XTVSIutut NC
* NhI1TMu - Kinley made the
~~M IN journey to Washing
IN. ..,K u ton from the bedside
X w W. Of his dying mother
that his absence might not delay the n a
tiOnal legislature at its assembling. The
extra session robbed the opening Of the
regular session Of the excitement and in
terest which usually attach to it. As
the House was completely organized at
the extra session, and all the committee
assignments we're made then, beyond the
natural stimulus produced by the return
ing statesmen and the outlining of
schemes by members of the third house.
or lobby, Washington on the night preced-
ing the opening was tranquil.
The ceremonies attending the opening
Of Congress, though comparatively Of a
routine character, make a spectacle which
in some respects is regarded as the great
est official event Of the year at the na-
tional capital. Monday the weather was
propitious. The sun shone brilliantly
from a cloudless sky, making . glorious,
bright December day, with a tinge Of
frost in the air to ~invigorate the lungs and
Il breeze just strong enough to keep the
stars and stripes swapping from the dag
stats. AT the capitol the crowd warm
cd into the corridors at an early hour and
chOked the marble steps as they ascended
to the galleries from which they were 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 Honse 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 a quorum
demonstrated. the clerk was directed to
notify the Senate that the House was
ready for business, and n committee was
appointed to wait on the President. After
| that there was a recess to await the ar
rival OF the Presidents annual message,
which was read upon its reception and
was followed by m adjournment until
Tuesday.
1t is the intention Of the House leaders
to proceed with the business Of the ses-
sion as 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
bin. Whether it will be the Nelson bill,
which passed the Senate Mt the last scs-
sion, or = modification Of the Torrey bill
depends on the temper OF the Judiciary
Committee. which will submit the meas
ure to the House.
Beyond doubt there will be several res
o~lutions of inquiry during the first week
which may be more or less sensational,
and some OF the radical pro-Cuba mem
bers win attempt to get consideration for
n 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 viii take their regular course.
simultaneously with the fall Of Speaker
Reeds gavel in the House, Vice Presi-
| dent Hobart called the Senate to order.
Ealf an hour before the Senate convened
| the public and executive and reserved gal
!er;es Were filed 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 a yerita-
bic conservatory. The floral display was
unusually rich and beautiful, aud the
odor Of flowers was heavy in the hall.
S~eventy-seyen Senators responded to
their names On the roll call.
The Senate to start with had a calendar
OF about 300 bills reported from the com
mittees during the special session. The
indicat;o.s on the opening day were for n
little more activity than usual during the
pre-holiday session. This is largely due
to the fact that the supporters of the nd.
| ministratiGn and advocates OF annexation
are very anxious to secure the earliest
possible consideration of the treaty with
Hawaii. Senator Davis. chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, an
nounced his purpose of pressing annexa-
ton atsthe earliest possible moment One
point which the committee viii! be called
upon to decide is whether to proceed to
ratify the treaty Of annexation or to an
mex the islands by resolutions. The an
nexatinn'sts have lost some votes during
the vacation. and there is now apprehen-
sion that the two-thiids vote necessary tn
sssure The ratification cannot be secured.
Some members Of the Foreigns Relations
| Committee who favor annexation adyo-
rate this course because they say they zee
ao reason for ~traversing the same ground
twice, IS they would be compelled TO do in
case the matter should be first considered
in exc utiye session. fnil there. aud then
b. taken up in the foi nj of d res.an,;o.i in
Oleu stnate and House.
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