The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-04


nfty-sixth congress, which
begins today, not only on
account of the many complicated ques-
tions that await its decision, but from
the prospect that for the first time
since the close of the fifty-first con.
gress the Republican party will be in
complete control of the executive and
legislative departments of government.
Although the Republicans apparently
had a majority in the senate at last
congress, their power for effective work
was neutralized by the uncertain alle-
glance of several senator's Of free silver
proclivities. The new members who
will become factors in the deliberations
OF the body at the present session are
of political complexion, that will make
the senate reliably Republican without
the assistance of Silver Republicans.
The Republican majority in the house,
therefore, places the complete control
of the machinery of the government
in the hands of the party and its lead
ers will have to accept full response
biity for the use that they may make
of their power. 1t is most fortunate
for the regular business interests of
the house that the speakership contest
10 already settled. Questions relating
to membership promise to attract un-
usual attention. For the time being
the right of a polygamist to occupy
seat in congress is exciting more inter-
est among the members than questions
relating to the Philippines or to none
tary legislation. There are four va
cancies in the senate, due to failure
of the legislature to elect in the states
OF Pennsylvania, Delaware, California
and Utah. The senate has previously
decided that in such cases the COVER
nor of the state has not the right to
appoint But Mr.. Quay,of Pennsylvania,
who desires to be seated as senator on
the governors appointment, will lead
a fight to have that ruling reversed.
The all-important subject pressing
upon congress for consideration is the
relation of the United States to the
islands which have coma under It's con-
troll through the war with Spain. The
Cubans, or part of them at least are
clamoring for the early establishment
of the independent government prom
ised to them. The Philippines and
Puerto Rico await the formation OF
civil governments for hem and con-
gress must decide whether to direct
the task itself or to intrust the whole
matter to the president. The question
of general permanent policy in the Phil
ippines must inevitably come up for
discussion, A bill for the organization
of a movement In Hawaii ought to be
passed at the coming session. The is
sue between the parties over the ques~
ton of colonial policy must be clarified
as a result Of the deliberations of the
coming winter and spring. The ques-
tion of the maintenance Of the stand
ing army at its present size must be
decided by the present congress at one
Of it's sessions, for, according to the
law of thu last congress, the permis-
sion for the increase to 100000 men
runs only until July I, 1901.
The indications are that a strong ef-
fort will be made TO pass a monetary
and currency bill early in the session:
and the trust problem is expected to
come up for discussion in many ways
Among other important subjects that
will demand attention are the Nicara.
qua canal and Pacific cable projects
proposed postal savings banks schemes
the ship-subsidy bill and agreements
with Great Britain and Germany re,
garding the partition of Samoa.
The nearness of the next presiden'
. tial election will give great politica
significance as well as national inter
est to the results of the delireration!
of the fifty-sixth congress, and It l.
encouraging to note that there are n
prospects of success before the OBJ
structiOnist and filibusterer of the op
position, who has in nast consumed
much valuable time and cost this ma
tion millions Of dollars and also many
lives on fields of battle.