Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-12-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From our Regular Correspondent.)
Washington, Dec. lit is doubtful
il a republican congress has for many
years convened under as inausptciouS
circumstances as those which attend
ed the opening of the second session of
the Fifty-seventh Congress today.
With ample republican majorities in
both chambers and republican Pres
ident in the White House there is the
widest difference of opinion as to pros
| pective legislation and even the old
time leaders are divided on some of
the most important questions. Tariff
| revision, of course, takes the lead.
Senators and Representatives from
/ western states assert that there must
be steps taken in that direction in Or
der to redeem the pledges ON which
the republican victory in their states
was achieved. The eastern men, on
the other hand, say that there shall be
no tariff revision now and they expect
to prevent the calling of Congress in
special session for that purpose.
With regard to trust legislation, some
senators say that there will be none and
others, among them no LEES influential
man than Senator Frye, president
Of the senate, asserts that he Sherman
law will be amended in accordance
with the recommendations of Attor-
ney General Knox. The policy of the
republicans, as outlined for your cor
respondent by well posted democrat
ic senator, will be to pass such legisla-
ton as Mr.. Knox has requested and as
the President will urge, at the same
time. assuring the trusts that so long
M fhnu nd, ;ri 81
ton they will have nothing to fear
from the Attorney-General. but if they
permit the democrats to win there is
no knowing to what extent demo
cratic attorney general sWill go in order
to destroy tho trusts. In this way,
says the senator referred to, the repub-
licans hope to make OF the trust law a |
club with which to extort campaign
funds from the trusts in 1904.
As If to emphasize the evil OF the |
trust system, the news has just reach
ed Washington to the effect that j. |
Pierpont Morgan, in connection with |
the Barring Brothers Of England, have
to float bonds to the |
amount of 800. 100000 for the newly
beef trust. Representative
Richardson Of Tennessee. says that
the democrats OF the House stand (
ready to assist their opponents in any
genuine effort to control the trusts
and that they will give the republicans
no ground to charge them with OBJ
proceedings in case the lat.
ter make an honest attempt to strength
en- the present law or enact a new and
more effectual one.
There was an intermingling OF con-
and condolences in the
Capitol today. Twenty five repre-
have failed OF re election
and the condolences extended them
were as numerous as were the con.
offered to the successful
On the democratic side or
,he House, two desks stood out promi-
nently. Each was draped with crepe
md covered with flowers in honor of
de Graffenreid and
Sheppard, both Of Texas, who have
lied since Congress adjourned last
July. On the republican side one
lesk was similarly treated. It was
hat formerly occupied by the late
Russell of Connecticut.
)ut of respect to the deceased mem.
,ers the House adjourned Immediate
Y after being convened.
In the Senate one desk was draped ,
nd piled with floral offerings, that of ,
he late Senator Mcmillan of Michigan, .
nd as a mark Of respect to his memory ;
he Senate adjourned until noon to- 6
borrow when the Presidents message \
Wilt be received. There is little pros .
ect OF important business in the Sem =
to tomorrow but on Wednesday Sena- ?
or Beverldge. for the Committee on
territories, will report the Omnibus :,
territorial bill and from that on the :