New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-05
CONGRESS- OPENS TO- DAY.
PLANS FOR THE SESSION.
Little 4ctnaI Work by Either House
Likely la the First Week.

Washington, Dec. 4-Little in the way of legis-
lative business is expected the first week of the
session of Congress The first day in the House
will be devoted 10 calling the roll and swearing
in members who have been elected to fill v2Can-
cies. The usual committee will be appointed
inform the President the House is in session.
and the resolution giving notice to the Senate
that a quorum of the House is ready for bust
will be passed. Tuesday the Presidents
message will be read. but it is not expected that
any other business will be transacted.
There number of minor matters of legis
lation which may be considered on Wednesday
and on Thursday as special order has been
made for consideration of any general measure.
1t is possible that the Legislative, Executive and
Judicial Appropriation bill may be reported
Wednesday or Thursday. If Wednesday it
perhaps will be considered in the House on
Thursday
Friday is pension day and there will be more
than thousand private pension bills ready for
the House to consider. Early adjourments each
day are expected the first week. in order to give
time to shape the sessions business.
An intimation has been given that objection
may be interposed against administering the
oath Of office to j. Thomas Hef1in, who has been
of Representative Thompson, from the 9th
Alabama District, on account of certain lam
guage Hetiin is alleged to have used regarding
lection should be made there no doubt would be
a spirited party debate, which would occupy
considerable time
sENATE'S FIRST DAY.
The first act of the Senate after converting
will be one of respect to the memory of the two
distinguished Senators whose deaths have oc-
CURED since the adjournment of Congress. Sem
ator Penrose, Immediately after the Senate is
called TO order. will announce Senator Quays
I'll
to perform a like service in the case of Sena-
tor Hoar Adjournment for the day Will follow
at once and will postpone the receipt of the
Presidents annual message until Tuesday. That
document Will he received early on Tuesday,
and little if any, further business beyond its
Knox, of Pennsylvania, and Crane of MaSsa-
chusetts, will be undertaken that day. For the
remainder of the week exceedingly brief SEES
sions are expected On Thursday an adjourn
ment Will be taken until the following Monday.
1t will be exceptional if there should be amy
routine business, but the week will not be lost,
as the time will he devoted to preparation for
the remainder of the session. so that the post
ponement Of active effort will really effectuate
the expedition of legislation later in the session.
PLANS FOR IMPORTANT BILLS
Senator Lodge will press the House bill for
the amendment of the Philippine government
law as it is practicable to get that
measure before the Senate and has announced
his intention not to brook opposition to its con
siderattOn, The bill has the vast advantage of
being on the calendar as unfinished business, so
that it cannot be easily displaced. 1t is not
probable. however that Mr.. Lodge now will
attempt more with reference to it than TO give
notice of his intention to press its adoption.
Before the close of the session last spring
Senator HOar gave notice that next Tuesday
he would call up the bill providing means for the
protection of the President. but on account of
the death Of the Senator consideration of the
bill may be deferred for some time. Senator
Hepburn gave notice last session that he would
call up the pure food bill next Thursday but
while it is generally understood that he viii
press that bill all proper times it is believed
that he will not make serious effort TO proceed
with it in the first few days of the session. An
other measure which probably Will be taken up
early in the session is the bill for admission of
the four Southwest Territories two States.
Nothing more than preliminary work, however.
can be done on any of these bills in the first
week.
1t is expected that the Republican steering
committee will give attention to the order OF
business early in the session, with view to
curing general legislation before the apprOpria
ton bills begin to arrive from the House.