The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-13
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
Currency Reform Still In Hopeless
Snarl-- Increase of the Army and
Navy--Pacifc Railroad Deals.
Postal Bank Bill to Be Urged.
American Shipping, Pure
Food and the Seals.
,Copyright. 1871

what VIII congress 90 At the SesSloH
which begins next month?
Nothing. If the judgment OF some
very prominent senators and repre-
sentatives is correct-that is. nothing
of Importance.
Congressmen will talk and fill The
Record with campaign speeches and
campaign documents. The Republicans
Will tell tho Democrats what the Ding
ley bill has done for the country, and
the Democrats will talk scornfully about
Republican claims and attribute pros
perity 10 an accident. The administra
lion will be cheered from one side OF
the chamber and jcered from the other.
But what about works? Alas. the
outlook for any legislation is poor in
deed. The appropriation bills will be
passed. OF course. but talk will be the
chief product of the session. however
long or short time 1t lasts.
The, urgent business of the new ad-
rministration, >as Mr.. Mckinley saw ii
last spring was the passage OF the tariff
bill. That was accomplished at the spe-
cial session which began i'm early March
and ended late in July. To prevent the
transaction of any other business except
Urgent matters like the appropriations
)peaker Reed withheld the appoint
nent of the house committees until the
ast day of the session. The house call
sndars, therefore, are empty, and any
business which the house takes up must
first be referred and then reported from
committee. 1t will take the committees
some time to organize and consider the
bills which have been introduced which
have yet TO be referred. IT is likely.
therefore, that little if any business
Will he transacted by the house between
the tune Of assembling and the Christ
mas holidays, The senate is ready for
business and wffl 30 right on with what
1t has on hand But as il can do moth
ing final without the cooperation OF
the house, eXceSt in executive matters.
no legislation is likely to be enacted be-
'ore the 1st OF Jsnuary
AfCnSs that date possible legislation
may De blocked in several ways. The
senate is SO divided between the three
PARTIES that no one of them has a de-
'ided majority. The rules of the SEN
Ate make it possible for a very small
minority 10 prevent legislation. In the
house the Republicans have large ma
Sority. but the rules give such power TO
The speaker that he can do almost as
be likes.
Congress will start out with a brave
ihow of energy. 1T always does. But
~ VIII SluD It's lOt dEdlnSI one OF OlneI
Of these obstacles every little while
and when the day Of adjournment
comes ii will have made very little
progress toward reforming old laws or
making new ones
THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
Congress will confront the same situ-
alton in the matter of currency reform
which has existed for many years-an
apparently hopeless division Of senti-
ment. The attempt TO crystallze the
question which is being made by
the monetary commission appointed at
the business mems convention i'm n
1ianapois cannot result in any aci u
at the coming session-in fact few 10
any members of that commission hat-
the hope that IL Will One of them i..
stated that the commission proposes .
build n fire behind the members o..
congress by creating sentiment in r.
vor OF the commissions plan amou-
the people. This is necessarily slow
process Of lawmaking. The missionary
movement cannot have any decided ef-
feet within a year. and until they hear
from their constituents the members of
congress are sure to be prejudced
against anything which the commission
suggests.
Senator Thurston says that the COM
missions suggestions will be answered
With. Let these gentlemen go TO their
constituents and ask an election 10 con-
gress II they are so anxious 10 reform
our currency system"
Senator Foraker says he expects no
action on the currency question. be-
cause the majority OF the senate is for
free silver and because the arrival Of
prosperity has settled the disturbance
ia the public mind.
The message of President Mckinley
recommending the creation Of n cur
rency commission rs in the hands ~
The senate coinmittse On npancs. Co
Mhlah u Was rttertsd iust before con
greas adjourned y joint resolution 90
cary out tho presidents suggestion was