Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-12-09
CONGRESS AGAIN IN SESSION
ONLY SHORT SESSION WAS HELD
THE FIRST DAY.
As a Tribute to Memory Of
the Late Senators Hoar and Quay
Presidents Message Read Tuesday
Gorgeous Floral Tributes on Desk of
Congressmen-Talk of Tariff.

ongressmen-Talk of Tariff.
On the stroke of IL Monday the sec
ond session of the Fifty eighth con-
gress was called to order by Presi
dent pro TEN. Frye in the senate and
by Speaker Cannon in the house. When
the gavels of the presiding officers
summoned the senators and represen-
tatives to duty nearly every member
was in his seat, but only routine busi
ness was transacted. The chaplain
prayed, the rolls were called, the reg
ular resolutions of notification passed,
committees to inform the president
appointed, and adjournment followed
out of respect for the deceased men,
bers. The presidents message gener
ally is received and read the first day,
but the senate is punctilious in certain
matters and adjourned as a tribute TO
the late Senator Hoar of Massachu
setts and the late Senator Quay of
Pennsylvania. The message, there
fore, probably will be read Tuesday.
But there was plenty to attract the
crowds which filled the galleries. The
opening of session of congress has
become flower show. Immense floral
pieces designed to typify the man. or
the state, or the district he represents
are placed upon members desks in
both chambers, oftentimes totally OBJ
scuring the man they are intended to
compliment Besides these huge floral
emblems senators and members are
remembered more modestly by simple
punches Of flowers. Admiring constit-
uents, clerks in the departments, wives
and sweethearts always see to it that
favorites in both senate and house are
favored with flowers. In fact, the Gus.
tom has grown to such proportions
that those who are not remembered in
the annual gorgeous congressional no.
raj display feel that they have been
unconsciously given greater distinc-
tion by the omission.
The legislative wheels will grind
steadily until March 4, 1905. There is
plenty 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 ~ months, but in the three months
congress probably will do little more
than pass the regular annual appropri-
alton bills. There has been some talk
of a possible extra session. The re-
suit of the November election was
scarcely known before this talk began.
Heretofore extra session rumors have
been held in allegiance until the holi-
day recess, or at least until after the
election returns have been digested,
but this year the discussion began be-
fore the president knew how many
votes he would have in the electoral
college. The only reason why such
session should be called is because
there is a demand in certain quarters
for a revision of the tariff, but many
of the incoming congressman during
the past two weeks have made it plain
that they do not want tariff revision,
and, further, that they do not want an
extra session.
There is one feature of the tariff
revision talk that has some substance.
More revenue must be had or there
must be a curtailment of expenditure.
With the increasing annual appropria-
tions, a river and harbor bill, increase
of the navy, the Panama canal and
other features of extraordinary dis
bursement there will be need of more
money than present customs and in
ternal revenues provides. An intima-
tion 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
be called. But this is said to be re-
mote contingency and the probable
tiles, according to the leaders who are
here. are that there will be neither
tariff legislation nor an extra session.