Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-12-08
CONGRESS CONVENEH.
MEMBERS LISTEN TO THE PREsI-
DENTS MESSAGE.

Appropriation Bills to BE Given Right Of
Way at Both Ends of the Capitol--Im-
portant Legislation Which the Leaders
Expect to Put Through.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The curtain
was rung up at noon today upon the
closing session of the Fifty-fourth con-
gress. Intense interest was manifested
in the presidents message, which was
submitted to the congress today, on ac-
count of the great prominence Of the
many questions it dealt with and no
presidential message in years, it is safe
to say, has been listened to with the in
terest with which the reading of Presi
dent McKinley's message was heard
today. The reading of the message &C.
cupied about two hours.
The great portion of the message is de-
voted to the events leading up to the
war with Spain, the war itself and the
conditions which have been brought
about by it. The portion of the mes
sage devoted to Cuba affirms the pur-
pose to follow, with the cooperation of
congress, the path marked out at the
inception of the conflict and provide the
Cubans with free and stable govern
ment of their own choosing. Until such
time arrives the military forces of the
United States will be in control. AS to
Porto Rico and the Philippines the pres
ident says it will be time enough to dis
cuss their government when the treaty
of peace is signed and they are in fact
q portion Of the United States domain.
Touching the currency question the
president reiterates the recommendation
of his last message that when demand
obligations of the government are re-
deemed in gold they should not again
be paid out except in exchange for gold.
Legislation to insure the permanent
stability of the currency on the present
basis is recommended, but no specific
method is advised. He urges the adop-
ton of the recommendations for in
creasing the standing army of the
United States to 100000 men and rec
ommends liberal appropriations for in
ereasing the navy. The Nicaragua ca.
nal is commended as national neces-
sity and immediate steps for its con-
struCtiOn is recommended.
The first thing in order after Speaker
Reed called the house to order was a
call of the roll to determine the pres
ence of quorum. A quorum having
been developed committees Were
appointed to wait ON the president and
the senate to inform them that the
house was ready to proceed to business.
Pending the arrival of the presidents
message several new members elected
to fill vacancies caused by deaths or
designations were sworn in. and imme-
diately after the reading of the message
was completed the house adjourned out
OF respect to the memory of Messrs,
Love of Mississippi and Northway of
Ohio. Tuesday, or Wednesday at the
latest, the house will plunge into its
work. Chairman Cannon will have the
deficiency bill ready and it will occupy
the attention of the house to the exclu-
sion of everything else for the remain
der of the week.
The first days session of the senate
was given up almost entirely TO the
presidents message. After the reading
of the message the senate adjourned
until tomorrow.
To Avoid Extra Session.
The war and the fruits of the Amer
lean victory carry in their wake many