New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-07
SPECIAL SESSION WORK.
MUCH ACCOMPLISHED.
Routine of the Regular Session, Be.
ginning To-day. out of the Way.
[FnoN THE TRIRrvE RI.RrAr-I

i
Washington. Dec. 6-The fear which month
ago was expressed in some quarters that little
would be accomplished by the assembling OF
Congress in extraordinary session on November
has been entirely dissipated by the events of
the last twenty-One days. Not only has Cuban
reciprocity been practically accomplished. 90
nearly effected that exporters and importers are
basirg all their calculations the tariff
changes which will result from the Cuban
treaty. but. it is generally conceded. at least
month OF the time of the regular session has
been saved by the three weeks preliminary
work
Under ordinary circumstances the Orgariza-
tion OF the two houses Of a new Congress -
barely completed before Christmas recess. some
times not until after the holiday adjournment.
This year the Congress which meets in regular
session tomorrow Will find both houses com
pleteIy organized and all the committees ready
to begin active operations. Moreover. there
have already been introduced 2,0i1 bills in tho
Senate and $3.50 in the House. in addition to
numerous petitions and resolutions. all Of which
have been referred TO the proper committees.
Another by no means Insignificant accomplish
ment is the confirmation by the Senate Of ap-
proxi1nately J2j recess appointments While
there still remain 167 appointments which have
not received the attention OF the upper chamber.
those that have been disposed Of constitute BY
far the larger proportion, and would have taken.
or have been made the occasion for taking. con-
siderable time from the regular session Stin
further benefit has resulted from the many and
extended conferences for which the extra ses-
sion has afforded opportunity to the leaders OF
both houses-opportunfties which have been in
creased by the small amount of time which the
Senate and House have spent in actual session
As result. the leaders have clearly mapped
out their programmes. and much OF the most
difficult If not the obtruslve work is out Of the
way
While. in the opinion Of the House. the Sen
ate has laid itself open to criticism for having
failed to enact the Cuban treaty enabling act.
members of the upper chamber feel that they
are to be congratulated in having secured an
agreement for a vote on December 16. thus
obviating the prolonged debate which would
have been inevitable had the enabling act first
come before the Senate IN the regular session.
That it was the intention OF the Democrats to
debate the Cuban legislation at great length
and make It the vehicle for extensive campaign
speeches on the tariff is we'll known, but now
only nine legislative days remain i'm which this
programme can be carried out.
very large proportion of the Republican
mem,crs Of Congress have called at the White
House since the special session convened. and
this has resulted In a better understanding be-
tween the President and members OF his party
at the Capitol than is usual at the beginning Of
a new Congress and in the opinion of the
leaders viii make for a harmonius and
cessful session.
Altogether the special session Is believed by
the party leaders to have materially facilitated
that early adjournment Of the regular session
deemed so important in view of the fact that
next year there will occur Presidential cam
paign and election.
Almost as soon as the regular session con-
venes tomorrow at noon. the President will
send to the Senate the new Panama treaty. for
which the way will have been practically
cleared, and ii Is the firm belief OF the Republi-
cans. that though tedious debate must precede
It's ratification such ratification viii be duly
compIshed long before there is felt that pressure
for time incident to the closing hours of every