Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-12-03
SECOND SESSION OF
FIFTY.EI6HTH CONGRESS
Convenes Monday Next in Washing-
tOn---FOreCdst of Business to Be
TrdnSaCted--Hdmilt0n Joint State
hood Bill Will Be Considered.

On the stroke of 12, Monday, the
second session of the 5Sth Congress
will be called to order by President
Pro TEN Frye in the Senate and by
Speaker Cannon in the House. When
the gavels of the presiding oftlcers
summon the Senators and Representa-
tives to duty, nearly every member
will be in his seat, but only routine
business will be transacted. The chap
Iains will pray the rolls will be called,
the regular resolutions of notification
will be passed, committees to inform
the President will be appointed and
adjournment will follow out of respect
for the deceased members. The
Presidents message generally is re-
ceived and read the first day, but the
Senate is punctillious in certain mat
ters and is almost sure to adjourn as
tribute of respect to the late Senator
Hoar of Massachusetts and the late
Senator Quay of Pennsylvania. The
message, therefore, probably will not
be read until Tuesday.
But there will be enough to attract
the crowds which will fill the CALLER
les. The opening of a session OF Con-
gress has become a flower show I'M
mense floral pieces, designed to typify
the man, or the State, or the district
he represents, are placed upon men,
bers' desks in bot, chambers, often
times totally obscuring the man they
are intended to compliment. Besides
these huge floral emblems, Senators
and members are remembered more
modestly by simple punches OF HoWers'
Admiring constituents, clerks in the
departments, wives and sweethearts
always see that favorites in both Sen
ate and House are favored with flowers.
In fact the custom has grown to such
nroportions that those who are not re-
membered in the annual gorgeous
floral display feel that they have been
unconsciously given greater distinction
by the omission
After the opening day, when the mes
sage of the President is read, the reg
ular business of the session Will pegln
and the legislative wheels Will grind
steadily until March 4, 1905. There IS
nlentv to do. The calendars of both
Houses are loaded with bills OF all
kinds. hundreds of new bills will be
introduced and committees are ready
to report enough to keep Congress
busy for 12 months, but in three
months Congress probably will do llt'
tie more than pass the regular annual
annropriation bills. There has been
some talk of possible extra session.
The result of the November election
was scarcely known before this talk
began. Heretofore extra session ru-
mors have been held in allegiance until
the holiday recess or at least until
after the election returns have been
digested. but this year the discussion
began before the President knew how
many votes he would have in the elec-
toral college. The only reason why
such session should be called IS oe-
cause there is a demand in certain
quarters for a revision of the tarlH,
but many of the incoming congressman
during the past two weeks have made
it plain that they do not want tarln
revision and further that they DO not
want an extra session.
There is one feature of the tariff re-
vision talk that has some substance.
More revenue must be had or there
must be curtailment OF expenditures.
With the increasing annual approprla-
tions. a river and harbor bill, increase
of the navy, the Panama, canal and
other features of extraordinary dis
bursements, there will be need OF
more money than present customs and
internal revenues provide. An intl
nation has been made that curtailment
will satisfy many congressional lead
ers. but the majority may determine
otherwise, in which event some reve
nue. legislation may be necessary and
an extra session for that purpose may
he called. But this is said to be 9
remote contingency and the probabili
ties. according to the leaders who arc
here are that there will be neither
tariff legislation nor an extra session
Coupled with tariff legislation dis
cussion is the subjest OF RECIPROCITY
A number of proposed reciprocit!
treaties have been, and still are repos
ing in the pigeon holes OF the senate
During the coming three months tner'
may be some talk about these treaties
but the indications are they Will no
be seriously considered. So strong ma
been the opposition to them tnat
has never been considered worth wnli
to report them from the Commute
on Foreign Relations to which the
were referred. There was considerabl
talk during the last session OF Coz
gress conserving tariff legislation an
the suggestion was made by sewers
prominent leaders that any revisio