The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-06

Washington, December 2-On the
stroke of u, Monday tine second session
of the Fffty-eighth Congress will be
called to order by President Pro Tenn
Frye in the Senate, and by Speaker
Cannon in the House. When the gavels
Of the presiding officers summon the
Senators and Representatives to duty
nearly every member will be in his seat,
out only routine business will be trans
acted. The chaplains will pray, the
rolls will be called. the regular resolu-
mitpees to inform the President will be
appointed and adjournment will follow,
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 GER
tain matters and is almost sure to adj
jqurn as a tribute of respect to the
late Senator Hoar of Massachusetts,
and the late senator Quay of Pennsyl-
Tania. The message, therefore, prob
ably will not be read until Tuesday.
A FLOWER SHOW.
But there will be enough to attract
the crowds which will fill the galleries.
The opening Of a session of Congress
has become a flower show. Immense
floral pieces designed to typify the man,
or the state, or the district he repre-
sents are placed upon members desks
in both 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 lowers. Admitting consti-
tuents, clerks in the departments, wives
and sweethearts always see that favor-
ties in both Senate and Hous are IA
vored with flowers. In fact the custom
ma grown to such proportions that
those who are not remembered in the
annual gorgeous congressional floral
display feel that they have been uncon-
sciously given greater distinction by
the omission.
PLENTY OF WORK TO DO. ,
After the opening day, when the mes
sage of the President is read, the reg
ular business of the session will begin
and the legislative wheels will grind
steadily until March 4, 1908. There is
plenty to do. The calendars of both
Houses are loaded with bills of al
4 iin6c- h11ndra6S of nny- hills will ha in
troduced and committees are ready to
report enough to keep Congress busy
for Il months, but in the three months
Congress probably will do little more
than pass the regular annual a~ppropria.
ton bills. There has been some talk
of a possible extra session. The result
of the November election was scarcely
known before this talk began. Hereto
fore extra session JUNIORS have beer
held in allegiance until the holiday re-
cess, 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 electoral college
The only reason why such a session
should be called Is because there is
demand in certain quarters for a re.
vision 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
sessions.
MORE REVENUE or LESS EXPEN.
DITUREs.
There is one feature of the tariff re.
vision talk that has some substance
More revenue must be had or there
must be a curtailment Of expenditures
With the increasing annual a~ppropria,
tions. a river and harbor bill. increast
Of the navy. the Panama canal and
other features of extraordinary dis
bursements, there will be need of more
money han present customs and inter
J nal provide. An intimatioI
has been made that curtailment will
satisfy many Congressional leaders. bu
the majority may determine otherwise
IN which event some e Legislation
may be necessary and an extra session
! for that purpose may be called. Blu
this is said TO be a remote contingent
cy and the probabilities. according Z
the leaders who are here, are that
there will be neither tariff Legislation
nor an extra session.
SUBJECT OF RECIPROCITY.
COUPLED with tariff legislation dis
cussion IS the subject OF reciprocity. 4
number OF proposed reciprocity treatie:
have been, and still are reposing in the
pigeon holes of the Senate. During the
| coming three months there may bt