The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-25
THE QUESTION OF
AN EXTRA SESSION
Is The Topic Nov Absorbing Interest In
Washington.
EACH OF THE RIVAL PARTIES
Are EndeaVOrins to Throw the Blame on
the Other.
THE ARMY ORGANIZATION BILL
Ofthe Administration Presses the Meas
ure an Extra Session Can Hardly
Be Avoided-An Old Custom
at the Capitol
THE ARMY ORGANIZATION BILL

Washington, February 2.-(Special.)-
From now until the second of March, an
extra session will be purely matter of
guess work. Every two years at this time
there is the same talk of an extra session.
While there seems to be more in 1t this
year than usual still it is by no means
certain that an extra session will not be
avoided. Some of those close to the ante
room of the president are beginning to
predict that there will be an extra session
but 1t is impossible to tell whether or not
they are bluffing.
The democrats do not want 1t to appear
that they have forced an extra session,
and II one is necessary the republicans are
determined that 1t shall appear that the
democrats have made 1t so. This is the
drift of every interview given out now by
public men here. For instance, Senator
the white house one day this week pre-
dicted an extra session, but said that the
administration did not want one and would
not call it unless forced to do so by the
opposition
The Democratic Side
Immediately after they left, Representa-
tive Bailey, leader of the minority in the
house, came out and when asked what he
thought of an extra session possibility said
that the democrats did not want any, and
that If the republicans had made up their
mind to have one the democrats could pre-
vent it. Some seem to think that the presi-
dent Is bluffing about the passage of the
army bill, or an extra session as an al
tentative. / do not think he is and believe
that he has made up his mind that he will
retire all volunteers and create regular
force. He is strongly advised to do this.
1t will be bad politics to try to increase
the army in times of peace. Technically,
the country is still in state of war and
unless the administration can increase the
army now 1t will be found very difficult
to enlarge it after the peace treaties are
exchanged.
Many of the democrats favor the passage
of the army bill at this session, believing
that 1t will be little use to simply delay its
passage to an extra session But there are
others, chiefly Senators German and Cock
rell who assert positively that no bill to
increase the regular army will be passed
at this session. In the meantime the ap-
preparation bills are all behind and it seems
an almost impossible thing to get them
through.
May Grease the Legislative Wheels
But this state of things may last up until
the second of March, when both sides sud-
denly agree to prevent an extra session and
begin pouring oils on the legislative wheels
After the End, it is hard to get together
though even that is possible. The senate
holds the record of having passed seven
appropriation bills through that body in
one day. This was phenomenally quick
work. If 1t be possible to pass the appro-
Ta~iQ fnf lie G.,t.I
this session, President Mckinley will drive
to the capitol and occupy the great red
room at the entrance of the senate lobby.
This Is known as the presidents own room
and Is the handsomest furnished room in
the capitol. 1t is always kept locked and
special permission has to be had to let vis-
itors get a<glimpse into 1t.
1t is really a beautiful apartment The
furniture Is massive and Upholstered in
crimson leather. The background of the
1rescolng on the walls is crimson, and the
fresco itself Is almost Pompeiian in bril-
liancy. 1t is only used at the close of the
short sessions or when the president Is in
attendance at some state function at the
capitol. The custom of his being at the
capitol on the night before adjournment
or rather before the congress dies by con-
stftutional limitations, Is an old one. 1t
came into. existence from necessity. The
reason is evident. When a congress dies
all bills not signed by the president die
with 1t. He cannot sign a bill after a con-
gress which passes them ceases to exist
bill might pass one minute before ad-
journment and before the gavel falls re-
ceive the signature of the president on the
rough draft as it passed the senate.
Set Back the Clocks
Some times in order to give the president
time to glance over the bill before signing
1t the clocks of the two houses are set
back. Much hasty legislation has gone
through congress in this way and many
jobs received executive approval simply for
the reason that the president had not had
time to discover them. The senate itself
has no time to discuss bills-often and must
take the word of the committee who pre-
sents it or that of some senator who asks
that a bill be passed. His explanation has
to be taken.
President Cleveland never went but once
!. to the capitol to sign bills. He said it
would be useless, for he would not sign
any bill that he did not have time to ex-
anime. When he was president the first
term he did go to the capitol as the GUS
tom was and there signed bills until the
very hour of adjournment. Some queer
bills went through and in the last para
graph of one he found some short sentence
which was wholly corrupt in it's nature.
He refused to sign the bill, of course, and
never went to the capitol to sign bills. He
told members of the house and senate that
If they could not give him time to ex-
anime bills he would not sign them. And
he kept his word.
Mckinley will Sign Them.
But President Mckinley will follow the
ancient custom this year, and even If an
extra session is found to be necessary he
will still go to the capitol and sign as
many bills as he can.
over in the house the last six days are
known as suspension days. The rules of
that body are suspended, but 1t takes
stwo-thirds majority to pass any bill. This
is a great preventative and keeps from