Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-03
LITTLE BUSINESS
When Congress convenes Thursday
Few Are Expected to be Pres
emit In Either House.
THERE WAS AGREAT EXODUS
Senator Foraker Busy with Browne
Vile lnyestlgatlon-May Be No
Action In smoot case--Llt-
tle Work for House.

Washington, Dec. 31.--Congress Will
reconvene after the Christmas recess
at 10 o'clock next Thursday, but 1t Is
net expected that much business Will
.Se transacted In either house until the
wick following. No programme SO far
has been arranged for either body
and the general expectation Is that
nothing will be done In that direction
until the houses are called together.
There has seldom been such an ex-
odus Of public men for a brief res
pite from work as there was when the
recess began and as the members are
returning very slowly there Is not
sufficient number Of either senators or
Representatives in the city even to
outline a plan of action.
The purpose in general way Is TO
proceed with the appropriation bills as
rapidly as possible, but as neither
house has one of these measures be-
fore It, both will be forced to take up
other matters Of legislation or adjourn
from day to day until the committees
can bring in some Of the supply meas
ures. 1t may therefore happen that
one or both Of the houses may ad-
ourn from Thursday or Friday until
the following Monday. This will de-
pend upon the wishes Of members who
have pet measures that they desire
to press.
It is known to be Senators Foraker's
wish to secure early consideration by
the senate Of his resolution Of a SEN
atorial investigation of the Browns
Vile, Texas, episode in which the dis
charged negro troops of the Twenty
fifth regiment are accused Of parttci-
pating and he has been devoting much
Of the time Of the recess to prepare
ton for the continuance OF his dis
cussion Of that subject. 1t is under
stood to be his intention to proceed
as soon as the senate Is prepared to
have him do so, but II as seems likely
the attendance during the first few
days of the renewed session should be
meager, he may ask for postpone
ment until the senatorial seats general
ly are occupied,
The question Of Senator Shoots
eligibility Is also in condition to be
considered by the senate, but as Sen
ator Foraker Is counted upon by the
Utah senator's friends to lead In his
defense 1t is understood that the ques-
ton will be deferred for a time II not
indefinitely. There is a growing dis
position among senators to postpone
action on the Smoot matter and pre-
dictions that the session will be per-
mitted to pass without vote are not
infrequent. Mr.. Smoot, however, is
very sollcitious for ballot and his
wishes may be permitted oprevail,
Senator Gearln OF Oregon has a
speech forthcoming on the Japanese
question, but he will not be heard I'M
til the second week of the approaching
session. BY unanimous consent the
senate will vote on January IL on SEN
ator LaFollette's bill placing limi-
tation on the duration Of the employ
ment Of railway operatives and that
measure is now In position to be called
up for discussion at any time. The
senate will give part of the session
Thursday to the consideration of Sen
ator McCumber's general pension bill