Evening star., 1898-12-05
CONGRESS NET TODAY
Reassenbing Of de Two Legislative
Bodies
DISPLAY OF THE FLORISTS ART
Leading Members in Both Chambers Remembered BY
Th6ll Friends
CROWDS WAITED LONG FOR ADMITTANCE
CROWDS WAITED LONG FOR ADMTTTANcr

congress mas awakened from a twenty
years sleep" Since the last session ended
almost as much has happened as If it had
gone to sleep in one generation and awall-
ened in another. The whole political or
economic face of things has changed. New
conditions, new issues and a different pros
pect open suddenly to view. The events
that have crowded into that short space of
time have produced more that is new and
strange than would, ordinarily develop dur
ing the period of ten Congresses. This
short session finds itself clothed with new
Importance. An epoch has matured during
the few weeks of vaca ton, and the members
find themselves standing at the arched en-
trance of another age of progress. advance
ment and uncertainty. The horizon OF the
last session has become a commonplace
foreground which gives contrast to a broad,
inspiring view. Men Of both houses have
come back to the capital with a new sense
of responsibility and an impression almost
of awe upon them.
They are almost bewildere5 as they look
back at the rugged heights that have been
o'er-leaped. A war has been fought. Deeds
OF valor have been performed and victories
won. An unknown power has been develop
ed and a great final triumph sealed by the
surrender of Spain. Vast and remote terri
tory and many million people of another
race have become dependencies upon this
nation with the heart of a iberator and
the power of a master. All this has hap
pened since Congress was last assembled,
and so far does 1t fill the eye of contempla-
ton that the intervening election, with all
its vast domestic Importance is passed over
as an incident.
No other American Congress has looked
l1lrl !
siens and no body of legislators has had
such vast prospect opened before 1t nor
has it assembled under such conditions The
effect upon the mind is indicated in the
manner of all as they return to take their
places at the Capitol. Confusion and be-
wilderment are manifested in the conflict
of half formed opinions and disturbed preiu-
dices. The almost universal demand is for
time to consider.
What will be done at this session of Con-
gress no one can foreteM. The stronger men
will probably exert themselves to hold ii
steady and prevent anything being done
that might obstruct future action on more
mature thought. More or less of conflict
is threatened over every forward move
ment.
The Treaty of Peace.
The treaty of peace will probably excite
considerable discussion Legislation for the
army which has been rendered necessary
will meet with gonism, and every move
that looks to the enlargement OF our ma
tional sphere will meet with some resist
ance. The minority party is seriously d.
vided on all questions resultant from the
war and the majority party is not entirely
in accord. There is no prospect of general
legislation at this session for the govern
ment or disposition Of our new possessions,
but there several things which will have
bearing on the general question which 1t
seems must be given consideration: The
treaty is expected to be ratified this winter.
This will involve an appropriation OF twenty
millions to indemnify Spain for money eX-
pended for internal improvements in the
Philippines, which will carry the question
into the House.
The regular appropriations will be greatly
increased on account of the new situation,
and this will furnish excuse for discussion.
1t seems imperative that there should be
legislation at very early day TO enable
the President to maintain an effective mill
tary government during the transition period
of the islands, and this will bring the island
question almost directly under considera-
ton. There is very strong sentiment in
1aNOf OF pIONlQl0S at lnlS SESSION lOT lhS
construction of the Nicaragua canal, and
this sentiment is based upon a recognition
of a fixed purpose on the part of this gov
ernment to extend and maintain its power
on the Pacific. Thus II is evident that the
whole great question that confronts the
government and which is to be finally set
tied by the next Congress, will come in for
discussion on legislation indirectly associat-
ed with the question of final settlement;
and this session will be formative of a
policy on which important legislation will
be based and with respect to which parties
will divide. Out of the discussions Of this
session will come a clearer view of the
situation. 1t will be the pioneer, possibly,
of new thought and action.
Display of Good Feeling.
The most marked feature of the reassem-
bling of Congress was the manifestation of
unusual good feeling. There was an un-
usual cordiality in the handshaking, which
occupied all the morning up to the time of
opening prayers, and was resumed again
in cloak room and lobby as soon as the
formalities of reassembling were concluded.
The intermingling on both sides of the
House of Representatives of men of all
parties and the almost affectionate greet
ings between men of opposing parties was
so general as to be a subject of universal
comment. There was far less excitement
and confusion than usual In the House
the appearance was presented Of q very