The Grit-advocate., 1900-12-07
CONGRESS- BEGINS
BUSINESS AGAIN

| fully launched. 1t had been the pllr-
pose of the Senate to announce the
death of Senators Gear of Iowa. and
Davis of Minnesota. Immediately after
assembling. adjourn and receive the
message of the President tomorrow;
| but as this had been announced by the
leaders of both branches of Congress
| to be business session. it was de-
termined to receive the message to-day
and thus gain one day in session in
which that much time may be of i'm
mense Importance.
Aslue from the reading of the mes
sage and the administration of the
oath of office to William b. Dilling-
ham. the new senator from Vermont.
who succeeds the late Justin S. Nor
rll. no business was transacted.
The Republican senatorial committee
on order of business has decided that
tie ship subsidy bill should displace
the Spooner Philippine bill as the un-
finished business. 1t also considered
the disposition of the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty and decided that the question
should receive alternate attention with
the shipping bill. The arrangements
provides that the shipping bill shall
have preference, but that when no one
is prepared to make IL speech on it, the
Senate shall go into executive session
for the consideration of the treaty.
The arrangement further provides
that if the army bill reaches the Sen
ate prior to the disposal of the ship
ping bill or the treaty, either or both of
these may he displaced temporarily in
order to permit the prompt considera-
ton of that measure. which is conSid-
cred to be of more pressing Importance
than either of the other questions. The
same understanding prevails regarding
the appropriation bills.
Washington, Dec. 3.-The opening
session of the House was brilliant. but
not exciting. There We're the usual
throngs in the galleries and the usual
display Of floral pieces on the floor. but
the proceedings We're purely formal.
consisting of the rapping to order by
the speaker. prayer by the chaplain
the roll-call of members. the appoint
ment of the formal committees to wait
upon the President and the reception
and reading of the Presidents mes
sage. There We're 30 members pres
ent.
The reading of the message occu-
pied over two hours. 1t was listened to
The deaths of the late Representative
DAILY of New Jersey and Hoffecker of
Delaware, and Senator Davis of Min
nesOta and Gear of Iowa, were an
nounced and as further mark of re
spect to their memories the House ad-
journed.
A caucus of Democratic members of
the House was held to-day to consider
the course to be taken on army legis-
lation. Representative Hay of the mil
itary committee explained the status
of the army bill proposed by Secretary
Root. and urged the desir;bility of not
legislating until the course of the gov
ernment as to the Philippines had been
more definitely determined. He pro-
posed the following:
Resolved. That it is the sense of this
caucus that the law now in existence
as to the army be continued for two
years from July 1. 1900
After long discussion Mr.. Hay with
drew his resolution and the caucus ad-
journed without action.
The first bill of the session intro
duced in the House was by Mr.. Crum-
packer, Republican. of Indiana. max
ing an appOrtiOnment of representa-
tives in Congress under the tenth CEN
sus." 1t provides an increase of mem
bership from 357 to 800 The following
states gain in representation:
Arkansas, |; Colorado, |: California.
l: Connecticut. L. Florida. 1: Illinois,
.; Massachusetts. 1: New Jersey. .;
New York. 81 North Dakota. 1: Penn
Sylvania. .; Texas. .; Washington, l: !:
West Virginia. /.
The following states lose: Kansas. l ::
Louisiana. .; Mississippi. 3: Nebraska.