El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-12-03
Of Congress Will Begin Next
Monday, And Public Men
Express Their Views.
MUCH ROUTINE WORK
Will Then Have To Be Rushed
Through On Account Of
Big Appropria-
ton Bills.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 3.-Mon-
day at noon the democrats and repub-
licans, the defeated and the victors, Of
the ffty-fifth congress will line up for
the second half. President Mckinley
will put the ball in play with his an
nual message which Is awaited with
extraordinary interest, not only in this
country, but throughout the civilized
world.
The outlook is for an exceedingly in
teresting session with much solid
work. Vice-President Hobart will
preside in the senate and Speaker
Reed in the house. As the session lasts
only three months, or until March 4th,
unusual activity will he necessary in
order to accomplish the work that has
been mapped out
BY general consent currency reform
and general legislation for the new
possessions is to be allowed to go over
until the next session. but there still
remains plenty of matters to keep the
short session busily engaged until
March 4. The ratification of the trea-
ty of peace will, of course, be the most
important work OF the senate, and in
the way of general legislation to
receive attention in both houses
there will be the measures affecting
the army reorganization, the tortifica-
tions bill, the naval bill, the question
OF ,he form of government for the
Hawaiian islands, national quaran-
tine measure and quite likely the mea-
sure providing for the construction of
the Nicaragusn canal.
Senator Cockrell of Missouri does
not anticipate much unusual legisla-
tion at the short session." he says,
'The appropriation bills will be pass
ed, and as the river and harbor bill is
strong effort will be made to secure
one this winter. It is not probable
that any financial legislation will be
attempted. and do not look for any new
army legislation beyond what may
seem necessary to meet the energen-
cies of the present situation"
Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts,,
hopes the session will pass the neces-
sary legislation for the construction of
the Nicsraguan canal. He says: 'This
canal is moro than ever a necessity.
We have the Hawaiian islands.
Whether we have any other posses
sions in the Pacific or not, the canal
must be built sooner or later. The |
sooner we go about 1t the better 1t
will be for American trade and COM
merce.
Concerning the subject of possible |
legislation Speaker Reed preserves his |
usual sphinx-like silence. AS he is In |
accord with Chairman Can
non and his plans for the passage of
the big appropriation bills it is prob
able that he will endeavor to press
the consideration of these measures as
rapidly as possible and to keep the
decks clear of all other proposed legis-
lation until they are disposed of.
The southern members are much in
In the possibility of a general
qua rantine law being enacted at the
present session. The yellow fever
epidemic in Louisiana and Mississippi
and the recent deaths from that disease
In several eastern cities have
served to direct public attention to the
necessity OF having national qusrsn-
tine law OF some description and 1t is
probable the matter will be brought
up for consideration at the earliest OPP
portunity.