The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-10-29
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.

Washington, October, 27. 1908.
The call for the extra session OF
Congress to begin on November 9
has Just been issued by the President.
The extraordinary occasion" which
requires the convening Of both houses,
is the necessary approval by Congress
of the reciprocal commercial conven-
vention between the United States
and the Republic OF Cuba, signed at
Havana on December II, 1902. The
consideration Of the Cuban treaty will
undoubtedly be the chief business dur
ing the extra session, but any other
business will be in order, as when
Congress is once in session 1t can un-
dertake any legislation which either
House desires. 1t is expected that
many bills will be introduced, but
most OF the time will be consumed in
debating the tariff issue which will be
raised by the treaty. The compara-
tive strength of the parties in the first
meeting OF the Fifty-eighth Congress
will be, in the Senate, hfty-seven re-
publcans and thirtythree democrats,
and in the House zos republicans and
I7S democrats. In the House OF
Representatives there will be II8
members who have never served be-
fore, and in the Senate, twelve Sena-
tors who will see their first service, ex-
cept that OF the ten days extra session
of the Senate last spring. Senator
German will lead the Democratic
forces, and the Republicans IN the
Senate will find themselves confronted
by a united and definite policy, guild
ed by the man whom the President
regards as his most dangerous rival for
the first office OF the land. In the
House the new speaker will try to dis
tribute the important chairmanshlps
without arousing animosities and dis
sensions in the Republican party. 1t
is said that Representative Hepburn
of Iowa will take advantage of the
change in the spcakership to lead an
attack upon the House rules which
have placed the lower branch Of Con.
: gress under the dominion OF a small
oligarchy consisting OF the Speaker
and the Committee on rules. He
proposes to enlarge this powerful COM
mittee and also that it shall be chosen
by the two parties in the House In
stead of being appointed by the speak
er. He will no doubt have the sup
port of the Democrats and OF many
Republicans who are concerned at the
loss of prestige and power by the
House due to the iron rules of Reed.
Xxx
: President Roosevelts attitude or
the canal question has displeaseC
: many members OF Congress and it Il
y said that he will be called upon dur
S ing the extra session to explain why
u on the failure of the treaty proposed
8 TO Columbia, he did not begin nego
$ tiation with Nicaragua as he is direct
ed 20 do by the Spooner act. In tn
+ lsthmian canal question he seems t.
have adopted the general Republican
o attitude of "stand pat" In speaking
OF the Presidents delay in enforcing
: the law. Senator Morgan of Alabam
. said, "The President seems to be II
D the same category as our friend Mic
y awber. He is waiting for something
l. to turn up. Just what that something
y is to be is not apparent. Why shoul
{ he delay? There is no excuse for hi
c tardiness IN opening negotiations will
5 Nicaragua and Costa Rica for route
I believe disposition will De show
L. in the Senate and House to secure a
: explanation from the President as t.
y his exact reason for delay"
XXX
: Senator Gorman's singing criticsr
IS of the President for his interference i
. n the Maryland campaign is having
L visible effect. The Marylanders re
L sent the implication that they are ur
n able to manage their affairs. withou
q the aid of Washington and this resent
n ment is by no means confined to tn
q Democratic party. While the Pres
II dent may have succeeded IN bringn