The times., 1898-01-05
CONGRESS MEETS TO-DAY
Members Come Back Coached by
Constituents.
TROUBLE FOR THE PRESIDENT
An Early Adjournment Not Likely,
Considering what Is Before the
Two HouseS-Dc- Nothing Policy 1r-
rita;ing to the Masses es-Prosreots
of the Cuban Resolutions.

Beginning with today, the President
will have Congress on his hands. II will
be here for many months. The vacation
time is over and gone. and from now on, un-
till the day of adjournment, there viii be
| a steady grind Of work and an endiesSseries
| of debate. The folly OF the Adifinistra-
ton in permitting the Secretary OF the
Treasury to attempts to do what the st Louis
convention refused to do, after struggle in
the committee on resolutions that has be-
come famous, has opened he door to q dis
cussion of the " hole financial question,
| as much $ Republicans would like to avoid
it, The discussion cannot be prevented.
Republicans are corning back TO Wash
ington after having touched elbows with
their constituents ready to take issue with
the Administration on several matters that
are bow uppermost in the public mind
So far as the currency question is con
cerned the visit of members to their con-
s,tupncies has only made them the firmer
in their belief that it would be exceedingly
unwise to attempt TO do anything with
tile currency question at this time. The
Republican position appears to be that
the tariff bill should bs permitted to prove
what it can accomplish, many OF them
taking the ground that il will soon pro
duce surplus. and that as soon as that
period is reached the currency question
vii be lost sight Of
OF one thing there is no longer any
doubt. The a administration cannot force
the members of its own party into line on
the plans laid down by Mr. Gage. IL
this effort is made IL will meet with defeat.
The majority OF the Republicans are not
yet ready to commit this country TO the
single gold standard.
The Cuban question is also creating
division in the ranks OF the party Mem
bers who have returned to the city have
talked with their constituents and find
that the people want something positive
done on this matter. The do-nothing
policy of the President is irritating 10 the
masses. and il the House follows the senu-
ments of the people at large IL viii throw
off the yoke that holds il in check and
pass the Senate resolution granting beiligeT-
ent rights 10 the Insurgents.
1t is not improbable that several new
resolutions may be introduced in the House.
The temper of some of the leaders is
unInista6a ble, and it would require but
a spark to start tie patriotic fire to
burning brightly. Then. again, there is
the question of civil service reform, upon
which the party is torn and rent asun-
der 1t is not thought that there are
enough SpoilSmeu To do the reform laws
any serious damage, bat they keep up
a naegng crossfiFe OF debate and crit
icism which is embarrassing to the Pres
ident and empha sizes the fact that the
party is at ioggerheaGs on the subject.
Il is a good illustFa ton of the fact that
the Republican party is a house divided
against itself. All OF these questions VIII
pat the party at cT0ss-pumoses in both
branches.
Tka.House will take APP the appropriation
bills and push them along speedily as
possible. The legislative bin is now under
way and affords ample opportunity for
d.snlsSns questions ef various sorts.
in the Senate the Hawaiian annexation
treaty VIII probably bp called up at once.
Mr.. Davis may move an executive ses-
sion for tliat purpose today. The de
bate promises to be somewhat protracted,
and Mr.. Davis is anxious To begin it a t an
early period in the session. The friends
OF the treaty are more hopeful of success
nov liidb helpTe IlAe 8iBttti y DIT
no time have they given up the hope
that the treaty would eventually be rati-
fled.
The situation in China has strengthened |
the treaty, and proven to many who were |
rather inclined to he indifferent that it is |
imperative that this Government should |
possess themselves of those islands.
The immigration bin is the umfinished d busi-
ness, and will be proceeded with i'm |
mediately- Mr.. Gear win also call up |
the Pacific Railroad refunding bills, and |
these win lead to much debate The |
Corbett case win probably be reported this |
week, and as that is question of the high |
est privilege it may be called up for |
discussion next week. There is no reason |
why the Senate should be idle,