Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
FIGHT ON A NOR MON
All Interest 0enters on Congress Action in
the Roberts Case.
STIRRING EVENTS ARE PROMISED
Some Members Would Deny the Utah Mad,
All Oourtes!es.
He MEANS TO TAKE HIS SEAT TODAY
Other Congressman Are Being Bombarded
with Petitions Of Protest.
TO TRY TO PASS A FINANCIAL BILL
Both the House ana senate VIII Make
; MEANS TO TAKE HIS SEAT TODAY
TO TRY TO PASS A FINANCIAL BILL
Both the House ana senate VIII Make
mn Effort to Enact n Monetary Law
Eeforc the Rccess-Rcspcct
10 Hobarts Memory.

TO Hobart's Memory.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.--Stirring events
are promised for the opening week OF tn,
session in the house There is always "A
good deal OF glamour in connection with the
assembling OF a new congress. which Is a
social, as we'll a political event The
galleries are always crowded and there is
intense interest in the election of speaker
the swearing in OF members at the bar of
the house, the reading OF the presidents
message, the biennial seat drawing, the
introduction of bills and resolutions into the
legislative hopper, and the general clearing
of decks for action later on. But as the
committees are not appointed until just be-
fore the holiday recess, no actual business
is transacted usually until after the recess.
This year it will be different At the vety
threshold of the session will come the con-
test over the admission of Representatives
elect Roberts of Utah, and later in the week
the house will plunge into an important
and possibly a protracted debate upon the
financial bill which was prepared by the
republican leaders last spring at Atlantic
City.
The Roberts case has attracted the atten-
tion Of the whole country. The republi an
leaders have adopted a plan of procedure
which is designed to prevent Mr.. Roberts
from taking the oath of office until the facts
in regard to his alleged polygamous prac-
tices have been investigated by spec al
committee.
Mr. Tayler of Ohio will make the objection
to the admission OF Mr. Roberts and will
offer resolution of his case to the com.
mittee. There is considerable scattered op-
position to this method of procedure on the
ground that refusal OF the house to permit
a representative-elec bearing proper Gre
dentials to be sworn in upon improved
charges would create bad precedent and
might result in chaos at some future time
when political feeling runs high. But there
are several precedents for this course in the
cases of members charged with disloyalty
after the war and these will be used in
support OF the procedure Every member
of the house has been bombarded with petI-
tions in the Roberts case and there un-
doubtedly will be a large majority vote
without regard to party lines in support of
the plan outlined by republican leaders
Owing to the time which will be consumed
in the disposition of the Roberts case to-
morrow the drawing of seats, which usually
requires several hours, probably will be
postponed until Tuesday.
Financial Dill Before Recess.
The announcement of Vice President iIo-
bart's death will be made probably imme-
diately after the Roberts case is disposed
of and the house will adjourn out OF re-
spect to his memory. The drawing of seats
and the reading of the presidents message
will occupy Tuesday. Tuesday night the
republicans will caucus on the financial bill
1t is the intention of the republican leaders
to make this caucus measure and proceed
to pass it before the holiday recess. The
caucus will decide, II the present intention
is followed, not to wait for the appoint
ment Of the committee on banking and cur
rency, but to bring the bill into the house
probably under a special order
from the committee on rules. The debate
may begin on Wednesday. The length of
time to be given to debate has not yet been
determined. BY some 1t is thought that
.hree or four days may suffice.
While the session promises to be on the
whole a business one in the senate, the first
week probably will be marked by consider
able lethargy. Indeed, it would be excep-
tional II any actual work should be done
On Monday the new senators will be sworn
in, but beyond this nothing will be done.
the presidents message is re-
ceiyed on the first day of the session, but
ts receipt will be postponed for day this
session out OF respect to the memory of
he late Vice President Hobart whose death
will be announced. Tuesday little will be
lone beyond the receipt of the message the
present purpose being to adjourn imme-
liately after the reading OF the message
% give the republican senators an oppor-
unity to hold a caucus over the reorganiza-
ion of the committees. Wednesday and
will be devoted largely to the in
reduction of bills There will probably be
40 session either Friday or Saturday
Among the first bills to be introduced
will be the financial measure prepared by !
he republican members of the financial
committee. 1t will be offered by Senator
Aldrlch and will be referred to the whole
inance committee, including the democratic
members.
While comparatively little time will be
pent in the senate chamber during the
,arly days OF the session, much attention
Will be paid to getting ready for the i'm
,ortant matters to receive attention later.
These include the financial bill, the policy
o be pursued in the Philippines and Cuba,
he form Of government TO be provided
OF ildNall anu lHt ldhlHCdlloH VI Tue FdIi-
us reciprocity treaties negotiated during
he recess; Porto Rico and the seating OF
enators appointed by governors.
Up to date only one senatorial appoint
nent has been made. This is in the case
4 Senator Quay, but II he Is seated there
will be an effort to fill the vacant seats
rom Utah, California and Delaware by tho
anne methods. There is unusual interest
n Mr.. Quay's case and both his friends
nd opposing senators are already working
Mr.. Quay will make no effort
o be seated Monday.