New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-20
MAY HOLD An EXTRA SESSION.
INDICATIONS THAT IT WILL BE NECES-
SARY FOR CONGRESS- TO MEET
IN THE SPRING
InY rEIrGEArM 10 TIE TRInrNEl

Washington Aug. l9.-The opinions expressed
by Senator's and Representatives who have been
In Washington recently. or who are now here.
indicate a strong probability that II will be
found necessary to call special session Of the
LVIth Congress early in the spring This is
also the opinion Of many officials Of the Execu-
tive Department. as we'll Of men who have
long been careful observers of the legislative
proceedings Of Congress. There are already
plain indications that the Democratic minority
Of the House Of Representatives. or a strong
faction Of II at least. viii act as an obstructive
force. not only as respects legislative PROPOSE
tons arising ont Of the with Spain. but also
affects appropriations for the support of the
Government during the next fiscal year.
Ii is not likely. however. that a minority fac
tion will he allowed TO Obstruct legislation in
the House. and the matter may therefore be
dismissed from consideration. so far as that
body is concerned. OF course. as regards the Sen
ate the situation will be an entirely different
one
SHORT SESSION WILL BE 4 BUSY ONE.
1t must be remembered that the last session Of
the LNth Congress will last less than three
months-onv seveuty-hvc days. excluding sun
days and making no allowance for recess dur
ing the Christmas holidays. In short. the short
session" will be an unusually short well
as busy one. The general appropriation bills
and other matters Of necessary routine viii oc-
cupy al. the time
The former will contain many new and unus-
ual provisions made necessary by the war and
the sums OF money carried by several of them
will be large for the same reason. For years
authority for the building Of new war vessels
has been granted by provisions contained In
naval appropriation bills which have provoked
much discussion II is probable that this pro-
vision I'm the next naval bill will he Of much
greater Importance and authorize the building Of
many more vessels AZ immensely larger cost
than any similar provision in the past. II so.
It will naturally provoke a correspondlngly
greater amount Of discussion.
New and additional Army legislation. whether
in the Army appropriation bill or in q separate
measure Will also be absolutely necessary. and
some of f. will undoubtedly he II a nature 70
excite bitter ana violent opposition In certain
quarters as well as "a vast amount II discussion.
IMPORTANT MEASURES PENDING.
These two examples are sufficient to show that
the general appropriation bills. and legislation
emanatine from committees which have juris-
dic,ion over suca bills. Will occupy larger share
than usual of the short session. and leave little
or no time for the consideration OF other mat
tcrs
There are other important measures pending.
among which are the Nicaragua Cana bill and
the Pacific Gable bil. both - which have as
sumed a greater importance IN the public mind
than eyer. since the beginning 81 the war with
Spain.
But there other matters quite a. imnor-
taut and more diricul' nni perpieX.ns which
cannot wait long II these are not dealt with
and disposed ~ next winter. they must be in the
spring or early summer of 1929 Both th"Fe and
the appropriation bills cannot possibly be con-
sidored at the short session OF the LNth CON
eress and therefore special session - the
LVIth Congress next spring seems to .e neces-
sary and inevitable