The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-18
IT WILL ASSEMBLE IN SPECIAL
SESSION TODAY-FORECAST
FOR THE WEEK.
INTRODUCTION OF new TARIFF BILL
1t Will Be Introduced in House Today.
Effort Will Be Made to Pass Re
naming Appropriation Bills
Under Special Order.


fifth congress meets in extraordinary SEES
sion tomorrow at noon, in pursuance to
President McKinley's proclamation.
The work before 1.-THE passage of
tariff bills pretty well cut out in adj
vance, but the indications are that it
will be Il 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 memorable occasion, in
the senate, that the president, like
Aladdin, could rub the lamp and cause
the genii to appear, but, once they APP
seared, they were masters of their own
iestinies. So congress, once in session,
hay go much further or, not so far as
The president may wish.
SO far as the house. which will be Or
Eanized tomorrow, is concerned, the
present determination of the leaders is to
direct the energies of the lower branch
to the accomplishment of the task be-
fore it with all expedition and throw the
responsibility for any complication which
may arise out of delays in the senate
upon that body. This was made mani
fest by Speaker Reeds speech at the
republican caucus last night, when he
spoke of the necessity of bringing the
work of the session to Il speedy close.
Whether the leaders will emphasize any
inacton by the senate when the bill
veaches that body by program of
three days recess, remains to be seen,
but it seems likely that the speaker will,
at least for the present, refrain from ap
pointing any save the actual committees
necessary for the business in hand. This
will prove an effective bar to the passage
of miscellaneous or general bills, as the
rules of the house are such that all
legislation must come through the agen-
ces of committees. But even this is
not absolutely necessary, as the commit
tee on rules can be invoked to afford
special orders. and it is by means of
special order that the appropriation bills
which failed to receive Mr.. Cleveand's
approval are to be put through at the
extraordinary session.
Consideration in committee would in
yolye great delay and result besides, in
as it is the peculiar characteristic of II
new house to use every opportunity to
talk
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the apprO
priations committee, says the bills, as
they went to Mr.. Cleveland, are all right,
and he favors their re-passage under
special rules, without the Formally of
again putting them through the regular
channels This will be the plan fol-
lowed. and all the time before the ac-
tual debate on the tariff begins will be
devoted to the appropriation bills.
The new tariff bill, upon which the
republican members of the ways and
means committee have been working
laboriously for three months. is complete,
and will be formally introduced tomor-
NV. 1t will then be printed and sub
mitted to the democratic minority and
receive formal consideration by the full
committee. IT. is not expected that this
will require more than three or four days
at most. although the democrats may,
and probably will, protest vigorously
against such expedition. AT any rate,
sideration of the bill in the house before
the end of the week. Tonight some of
them fixed Thursday as the date on
which debate would probably commence.
Although the limits of the debate have
not yet been decided upon, the prevail
ing opinion is that it will not last over
ten days. Night sessions will, of
course. be held throughout the period al
lowed for debate. This will give the
new members an opportunity TO make
set speeches FOR the benefit of their
constituents.
Unless some unexpected hitch occurs
the new tariff bill may be sent to the
senate n week from next Saturday. or Il
fortnight after the session opens.
Tho MI tipn of hn bnnsn
row, while Il perfunctory performance.
will no doubt attract Il large attendance.
by the clerk, Maj. Mcdowell of Penn
which the candidates of the several par
ton and the result of the vote will de-
termine the political alignment for the
new house of representatives.
There are 206 republicans. 10 demo-
Gratis and 20 fusion silver and populists
in the new house. The percentage of
new members is unusually large. There
are 14S new men. OF these 49, have
never served in congress before. and six
teen have served prior to the Fifty
fourth congress.
After the house is organized. commit
tee will be appointed to wait upon the
president and inform him that the
house is ready for business.
Pending the appearance of the presi-
dents message. the biennial seat drawing
will occur. This is always an inter
esting and amusing proceeding and the
feature OF the opening day.
SENATE FORECAST