Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-16

->Z|/|N% tation upon the per-
EHjii6,XTA iod of its duration,
ENt1cIL.HM opened al noon Mon
.ygS day. The leaders
VlIlIAhlHL6HfM and very large ma
jority of the mem
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-. -. and President Nc
SSmlMWp * j ey made the
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that his absence might not delay the ma
tiOnal legislature ut 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 were 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
in some respects is regarded as the great
est official event of the year at the ma
tonal capital Monday the weather was
propitious. The sun shone brilliantly
from coudless sky, making glorious,
bright December day, with a tinge Of
frost in the air to invigorate the lungs and
breeze just strong enough to keep the
stars and stripes swapping from the flag
fD ffS A tba n,Ntt al rxs1 -n RIM
ed 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
ly 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-
plshed, and the presence of 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 n 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 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
bill. Whether it will be the Nelson bill,
which passed the Senate at the last ses-
sion, or Il 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
olutioHs 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
a 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 at the opening was n verita-
bic conservatory. The floral display was
unusually rich and beautiful, and the
odor of flowers was heavy in the hall.
Seventy-seven 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
| indications 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 ad-
ministration 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 at the earliest possible moment. One
| point which the committee will 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
nexationists have lost some votes during
| the vacation, and there is now apprehen-
sion that the two-thirds vote necessary to
assure the ratification cannot be secured.
Some members of the Foreigns Relations
| Committee who favor annexation advo-
cate this course because they say they see
no reason for traversing the same ground
twice, as they would be compelled to do in
case the matter should be first considered
in executive session, fail there, and then
be taken up in the form of resolution in
open Senate and House.
Despite all opposition, it is not doubted
Hawaii will be brought under the stars
and stripes. No act Of the American Con-
gress in many years past has attracted as
much attention throughout the world as
the annexation Of distant island is sure
| to attract.
What Congress will do concerning the
| Presidents presentation of the State Of
our relations to Spain and Cuba only the
| future can determine. Unless some turn
of events rouscs public opinion and finds
response in Congress 1t may be regarded