Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-04
Seth CONGRESS-.
A Lively Opening Week Prom
ised in the House.
Admission Of Representatives. Iect Ro-
berts and the Financial Bill.
Definitely Settled that the Presidents Mes.
sage Will Be Received, Tuesday.

washington, Dec. 3.-The opening
week of the session in the House, this
year, promises to be crowded with
stirring events. At the very threshold
of the session will come the contest
over the admission of Representative
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 lead
ers, last spring, at Atlantic City.
The Roberts case has attracted the
attention of the whole country. The
Republican leaders have adopted a
plan of procedure which is designed
to prevent Mr.. Roberts from taking tha
oath Of office until after the charges in
connection with his alleged polygamous
practices have been investigated by a
special committee. Mr. Taylor Of Ohio,
will make the objection to the admin
istration Of oath to Mr.. Roberts and
will offer a resolution to refer his case
to special committee.
There is considerable scattering OPP
position TO this method Of procedure, on
the ground that the refusal of the
House to permit a elect,
bearing proper credentials to be sworn
in upon unproven charges would create
bad precedent and might result in
chaos at some future time when politi-
cal feeling ran high. But there are
several precedents for this course i'll
the case of members charged with dis
loyalty after the war. and these will be
used in support of the procedure.
The announcement of Vice President
Hobart's death will be made probably
Immediately after the Roberts case IS
disposed of and the House will adjourn
out of respect to his memory. The
drawing of seats and the reading of the
Presidents message will occur, Tues
day. Tuesday night the Republicans
will caucus on the financial bill 1t is
the intention Of the Republican lead
ers to make this caucus measure and
proceed and pass ii before the holiday
recess The caucus will decide, if the
present intention is followed, not to
wait for the appointment Of the com
mittee on banking and currency. but
to bring the bill into the House forth
with, probably under a special order
from the committee on rules. The de
bate may begin on Wednesday. The
length of time to be given to debate
has not yet been determined. BY some
it is thought that three or four days
may suffice.
While the session promises to be up
on the whole busy one in the Senate
the first week probably will be marked
by considerable lethargy. Indeed. it
would be exceptional if any actual
work should be done. Ordinarily the
Presidents message is received on the
first day of the session, but its receipt
will be postponed for a day this ses-
sion out of respect to the memory of
the late Vice President, whose death
Senator Sewall will announce. Tues
day. little will be done beyond the re-
ceipt of the annual message. the pres
ent purpose being to adjourn immedi-
ately after the reading of the message
to give the Republican senators an op-
portunity to hold n caucus over the re-
organization of the committees.
Wednesday and Thursday will be de
voted largely to the introduction of
bills. There probably will be no ses-
sion either Friday or Saturday.
Among the first bills to be introduced
will be the financial measure prepared
by the Republican members of the fl
nance committee. 1t will be offered by
Senator Aldrich and will be referred to
the whole finance committee. including
the Democratic members.
While comparatively little time will
be spent in the Senate chamber during
the early part of the session. much
attention will be paid to getting ready
for the important matters to later re-
ceve attention. These include the fl
nancial bill, the policy to be pursued
in the Philippines and Cuba, the form
of government to be provided for
Hawaii and the ratification of the
various reciprocity treaties negotiated
during the recess. Porto Rico and the
seating of senators appointed by gov
ernors.
Up to date only one senatorial ap-
pointment has been made. This is in
the case of Senator Quay, but if he is
seated there will be an effort to fill the |
vacant seats from Utah. California |
and Delaware by the same method |
There is unusual interest in Mr.. Quay's |
case and both his friends and opposing |
are already Zealously work |
ing. Mr.. Quay will make no effort to |
be seated, Monday.