The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-03-18
ARE IN SPECIAL SESSION
CONGRESS WILL BE CALLED TO
ORDER AT IL O'CLOCK.
Tariff and the Appropriation Bills
That Failed to De Pushed in
the House.

Washington, March 1.-THE Fifty-ffth
congress meets in extraordinary session
tomorrow at noon In pursuance of Presi-
dent McKinleys proclamation. The work
before 1t, the passage of a tariff bill, Is
pretty well cut out In advance, but the
indications are that it will be a stormy
session and its length and scope are as
yet mere matters of speculation. The
present secretary of state, Mr.. Sherman,
remarked several years ago on a memor-
able occasion In the senate that the pres
ident, like Aladdin, could rub the lamp
and cause the genii to appear, but that
once they had appeared, they were mas
ters of their own destinies, so that con-
gress once in session may go much fur
ther or not so far as the president may
wish.
So far as the house, which will be or
ganized tomorrow, Is concerned, the pres
ent determination of the leaders is to
direct the energies of the lower house to
the accomplishment of. the task before
1t with all expedition and throw the re-
sponsibility for any complications which
may arise out of delays in the senate
upon that body. This was made manifest
by Speaker Reeds speech at the repub-
lican caucus last night. He spoke of the
necessity of bringing the work of the
session to a speedy close
Whether the leaders will emphasize any
inaction by the senate when the bill
days recesses remains to be seen, but 1t
Is likely that the speaker WILL at least
for the present, refrain from appointing
any save the usual committees necessary
for the transaction of business on hand.
This will prove an effective bar to the
passage of miscellaneous or general bills,
as the rules of the house are such that
such legislation must come through the
agencies of committees. But even this
Is not absolutely necessary, as the com
mittee on rules can be invoked to furnish
special ORDERS and 1t is by means of
special orders that the appropriation bills
which failed to receive Mr. Cleveland s
approval are hoped to be put through at
the extraordinary session. Consideration
in committee will involve more delay, and
result besides in almost interminabe de-
bate in the house, as 1t Is the peculiar
character of a new house to use every
opportunity to talk.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the appropri-
ations committee, says the bills as they
went to Cleveland are all right and he
favors their repassage under special rules
without the formality of putting them
through the regular channels. This will
be the plan followed and all the time
before actual debate on the tariff begins
will be devoted to the appropriation bills.
Tariff Bill Is Ready.
The new tariff bill, upon which repub-
lican members of the ways and means
committee have been working laboriously
for three months, Is complete and will be
formally introduced tomorrow. 1t will
then be printed and submitted to the
democratic minority and receive consid-
GRAFTON by the full committee. 1t Is not
expected this will require more thar
three or four days at most although the
democrats may and probably will pro-
test vigorously against such expedition
AT any rate the house leaders hope to
enter upon the consideration of the bill
in "a Of
Some of them tonight liked Thursday as
the day on which debate will probably
| commence. Although the limits of debate
| have not yet been decided upon, the pre-
vailing opinion is that 1t will not last
| over 10 days. Night sessions will, Of
course, be held throughout the period al
lowed for debate This will give new
| members an opportunity to make speech
es for the benefit of their constituents
Unless some unexpected hitch occur.
the new tariff bill may be sent to tn,
| senate a week from next Saturday o.
a fortnight after the session opens. Tn,
| organization of the house tomorrow
while a perfunctory performance, will n,
doubt attract large attendance. Th
new house will be called to order by tn
| clerk, A. ]. Mcdowell of Pennsylvania
the roll will be called, after which can
dldates of the several parties for speake
will be placed in nomination, and tn
result of the vote will determine tn
alignment for the new house of repre-
sentatives. There are 206 republicans, IL
democrats and 29 fusion silver republi
cans ard populists in the house. Th
percentage of new members Is UNUSUAL.
large. There are las new members. o
| these 1872 have never served in congress
before and 13 have served prior to tn
| Fifty-fourth.
After the organization committee vii
be appointed to walt upon the presiden
and inform him the house is ready 70
business. Pending the appearance of th
presidents message the biennial sea
drawing will occur. This is always al
interesting and amusing proceeding an
the feature of the opening day.
Elected Reed Speaker.
Washington, March 1.-THE republi
cans of the house caucused last night an
renominated all the officers of the las
house, including Reed for speaker.