Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-09

been unseated by contests. This was
the only ceremony out of the ordinary.
The second session of a congress is
considered simply a continuation OF
the first whether it be separated by
an intermission of six days or six
months.
respective Legislation.
Roughly speaking there are six mat
tiers of great Importance which are up
permost in the minds of congressman
and may receive attention this ses-
sion. They are:
The appropriation bills.
The revision of the tariff.
The regulation of trusts.
Admission of the three territories to
statehood.
The formation of the new depart
ment of commerce.
The question OF Cuban reciprocity.
There are, of course, other matters
which unexpected developments may
bring into the arena, notably the pc
culiar actions of Panama in regard to
canal negotiations. According to the
most experienced legislators, however,
it is very unlikely if congress gets past
the first subject on the foregoing list as
far as decisive action is concerned.
1t is expected that the appropriation
bills will occupy most of the time.
There is no doubt that a great many
bills will be presented on each of the
other subjects, notable the trusts and
the tariff but it is seriously doubted
if congress can be pulled into line for
ut; vii
The statehood bills and that for the
new department of commerce are
quite likely to be disposed of in the
opinion of many. The intention seems
to be TO take up the appropriation bills
at once and it is thought that the
pension bill may be reached by Wed.
nesday.
lowa's Representation on Committees.
The personnel of the committees of
the house remain of the same as last
session and shows Iowa well represen-
ted. In Congressman Hepburn, Lacey,
and Hull the state has the chairman
ship of three very important commit
tees and in Congressman Cousins the
craftsmanship Of minor committee.
The Iowa members and the different
committees on which they have seats
are rs follows:
James p. Conner. tenth district,pub
lie buildings and grounds; library.
Robert G.. Cousins, fifth district, for;
eign affairs: naval affairs; expendi
lures in the Treasury department
(chairman); memorial exercises late
President Mckinley, purchase Danish
West Indies. QLast two special com
mittees).
Gilbert N. Haugen. fourth district
agriculture; war claims.
Thomas Hedge, first district. coin
age, weights and mes sures; postoffice
and post roads. leveas and improve
ments of the Mississippi river.
William P. Hepburn, eight district
interstate and foreign commerce
chairman; iEsular affairs, Pacific
railroads.
John A. T. Hull seventh district
military affairs, chairman; militia
John F. Lacey, sixth district, public
lands, (chairman); Indian affairs, re
form in civil service.
John N. W. Rumple, second district,
levees and improvements Of the Miss
issippi river; invalid pensions; expen
ditures in the state department.
Walter l. Smith. ninth district. cleo
lions Mol banking and currency.
Lot Thomas, eleventh district, judi
ciary; claims.
There are several important com
mittees on which Iowa is not repre-
scented notably the ways and means
Cannon is elected speaker, Iowa's
.l,.~ to, inl> 1,
to undergo much improvement.
Ideas Many and Varied.
The ideas of tferent legislators on
the serious questions confronting con
/ gress seem to be many and varied
Among the republicans there is much
disagreement, especially in regard tc
i the tariff and trusts. For trust legis
/ lation the disagreement is largely as
to the proper method, but when il
comes to the tariff there is difference
! OF opinion both on the method of re
! vision and the need of it. The Presi
4 dent seems to be determined tina
i something shall be done and he is be
| ing urged by republican leaders tha
/ if anything is to be done to do it a
once. There is anxiety to have thi
action taken in an off year. 1t i.
pointed out that sufficient time be
j fore an election must be given so tina
the law in general effect may be dem
\ onstrated. The Mckinley law was no
enacted until October The preliminary
uncertainty had completely unsettled
! business and as result in the election
! he in the next month after the en-
i actment of the law the republican
party was overwhelmingly defeated
On the other hand Mr. Cleveland
called congress together the August
after his Inauguration to repeal tho
1 Sherman silver purchase law, but
nothing was done with the tariff unit
/ the session beginning in December
The result was that the law was not
passed until the following August ant
| business was again completely demon
allied and in the November elections
the democratic party met with crush
ing defeat.
The New Department.
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa is also going
to have trouble with the new depart
ment of commerce bill Many mem
bers of congress are not in favor Of
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