Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-21
FOR AN EXTRA SESSION
Some Leaders in Congress Believe One In
evitable.
Hull Bill Cannot Pass in It's Present
Sbnpe-ComprOniise Sug-
gested.

Some considerations lead to great re-
luctance on the part of several of the
older republican leaders in Congress TO
have an extra session forced upon Con-
gress. Chief among these is the prospect
Of immature legislation resulting from
early meeting of the Fifty-sixth Congress.
Some who favor an extra session are known
to be influenced to a considerable extent
by Il desire to have opportunity to get
measures through Congress for which no
opportunity was afforded at this session.
The old conservatives are always more or
less alarmed at the thought of too free
way being afforded for legislation, and
they fear that if the F'ifty-sixth Congress
should be called together this spring the
session would run late into the summer
and much Legislation would result.
The difference of opinion on the subject
leads to good deal of argument on both
sides. This morning there was very
general consultation among senator's as to
the course that should be pursued. 1t is
probably true that majority of the repub-
licans in both the House and Senate look
with complacency, If not with favor, upon
prospects OF an extra session. In addition
to the desire of many for an opportunity
for the consideration of measures in which
they are interested the argument Is ad-
vanced that it would be of political ad-
vantage to the administration if much
OF the legislation relating to our new pos
sessions could be got through with early
enough to take the controversy out of the
year 1900. 1t is argued that If there is no
extra session the discussion of these ques-
t1ons will be deferred until after the holi-
days next winter, and will be run into the
politics of that year.
Not Viewed With Alarm.
Whether or not he is influenced by this
consideration, it is certain that the Pres
ldent does not view the possibility of an
extra session with any alarm, but, on the
contrary, appears to contemplate 1t with
favor Senators and representative who
have talked with him as late as this morn
ing came away from the White House with
the impression that an extra session was
inevitable.
may be accepted as certain that the minor
ity of the Senate will not permit the Hull
bill to pass as it is. There is some spirit
or compromise among them as between
this bill and that proposed by 4Mr. Cockrell
put there appears no possibility of an
agreement to the Hull bill. In general
terms, II may be said that the minority will
agree to provide a military force as large
as necessary to serve as long as needed in
the settlement of the colonial questions
based upon the present permanent mill
tary establishment and to be reduced to
| the present minimum as soon as the need
| FOR the forces in the islands admits of such
| reduction, the deficiency in regular line and
stan ofhcers to be provided for by contin-
| uing the present volunteer officers in the
service.
In Regard to Officers.
The proposition to continue the volun-
| teer officers is inteneed to meet the objec-
| ton to the CoekrelI bill that 1t does not
| provide enough officers for the forces it
authorizes The minority is determined to
| draw the line short of the authorization of
| permanent military establishment a
larger skeleton plan than at present. With
| this in view, they may go somewhat fur
| ther i'll a compromise than the Cockrell
| bill, but they appear. to have no fear of an
extra session, and are very positive in de-
claring that the Huh bill as it is cannot
| pass.
Some of the republican senators are dis
posed to conlpromise,sand upon this fact is
based the hope that an extra session can
be avoided. 1t seemed quite possible this
| morning that a compromise may be Sc
cured, Notwithstanding the indisposition of
| the President to accept a compromise.