The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-20
COMING CONGRESS
SPECULATION AS TO ITS RELATIONS
WITH THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Roosevelt Believed to Be Seeking
the Closest Understanding
with Legislators.
EAGER TO EXCHANGE VIEWS
MAY ASSUME THE ROLE OF COUN-
sELOR AND ADVISER,
But Is Not Likely to Attempt to In
huence Legislation Beyond Recon-
mendatiOns in His Message.
CIVIL SERVICE EXTENDED
ABOUT 1000 EMPLOYEES OF THE WAR
DEPARTMENT AFFECTED.
Indiana's Senator's at the White House
Mr.. Fairbanks Summoned West
by Death of Brother-in-Law.
But Is Not Likely to Attempt to In
huence Legislation Beyond Recom-
mendations in His Message.
CIVIL SERVICE EXTENDED
ABOUT 4 900 EMPLOYEES OF THE WAR
DEPARTMENT AFFECTED.
Indiana's Senator's at the White House
Mr.. Fairbanks Summoned West
by Death of Brother-in-Law.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Nov. BIN less than
two weeks Congress will convene. There
will be a two weeks session before Christ
mas, when an adjournment will be taken
until after the holidays. There need be but
little expectation of important business be-
fore the midwinter recess. But perhaps in
that short time two important things will
develop. One is whether there is to be any
organized Democratic opposition to the Re-
publican programme and the other is what
relations President Roosevelt will attempt
to assume towards Congress.
The ablest Democrat in the lower house,
Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, has stepped up to
the Senate, where he is patiently training
for the time when the Republicans will not
be so all-powerful in the Congress. He was
practically out of the active life, even in
the last Congress, leaving Richardson the
undisputed leadership. His skill in parlia-
mentary tactics made him a clever floor
leader, but there was no real force back
of his work. He might carry out Demo-
cratic policy, but he never could formulate
one.
De Almond, the Missouri statesman, is a
candidate for the United States Senate to
succeed Vest, and will doubtless give more
attention to the local situation" than to
making House fights. There is no expecta-
ton that new Democrats will come to the
front to organize the opposition. The in
teresting features of Congress may be ex-
pected from the Republican side. How
ever, very few weeks should determine
what the Republicans intend to do.
The method to be adopted by President
Roosevelt will be far more interesting. Nc
Kinley's relation with Congress was very
close and practical. The members Of the
lower house especially were always eager
to know his views. Every one felt safe in
following. His years of experience in the
House, his close sympathy with the people,
were mainly responsible for this power. He
never made trouble at home for Repub-
lican congressman. Congress came to him;
he did not have to go to it. This state is
what Washington is familiar with. No one
is competent to say what Mr.. Roosevelt
/ will attempt in his relation with Congress.
He may say that Congress is the legislative
branch of the government and that il is
constitutionally improper for the executive
to try to influence it except in the informal
way provided by law for written messages.
Or he may assume the role of counsellor
and advisor. He shows a disposition to be
entirely frank with the senators and rep
resentativeS who CALL He talks to them
about anything and everything. and is
eager to exchange views. Apparently he
courts the closest of understanding with
the legislative. But this cordial relation
is entirely different from the position of
attempting to direct and guide the course
of legislation by tactful suggestion and
discreet intimation.
That President Roosevelt has given the
closest attention to this phase of his ad-
ministratfon none can doubt, but so far as
the writer knows nothing has escaped in
his conferences with public men to indicate
what course he Will pursue. This should
develop shortly after the submission of his
message.
Senators Beveridge and Fairbanks both
paid their respects at the White House to-
day, but their visits were very brief and no
public business was discussed. Mr.. Bev-
eridge left on the afternoon train for New
York, where he will remain for several
days. Mr.. Fairbanks received a telegram
late this afternoon announcing the death
of his brother-in-law, u. d. Cole of Rush
VILE, Ind, at Oxford, .. The senator took
the midnight train for Ohio. Mrs. Fair
banks will meet him at some point en- route
latter part of the week 1t is expected that
on his return the two senators will begin
series of conferences which will dispose
OF lot of accumulated business.
The first bill to be introduced by Senator
Hanna when Congress convenes will be
one providing an annual pension of $1,000
for Mrs. Mckinley. simultaneously a SIM
liar bill will be introduced in the House,
and there is not the least doubt but that
it will be agreed upon and passed at once.
The bill then will be sent to the President
Immediately for his signature
OTTO CARMICHAEL.