The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1908-12-11
slxTlETH CONGRESS CONVENED.

SIXTIETH CONGRESS CONVENED.
Ready for President Roosevelt's Last
Annual Message.
Washington, December RE
sembling more social function than
a serious assemblage for the trans
action of the business of the nation,
the SiNtieth Congress convened to-
day for it's final session. A brilliant
array of diplomats, society women,
| and relatives of members filled the
galleries when the gavel was sounded
in the House of Representatives and
the Senate chamber.
So great was the demand for an
opportunity to see the national leg
| islature started in it's work. that
the galleries of the house were re-
served for the families and friends
of members, with very few places
left for the general public. In the
Senate the same condition prevailed,
except that a large space was kept
for those who came without tickets.
Early in the day the Capitol was
filled with spectators, and in all the
corridors leading to the gallery en-
trance there were lines Of men and
women extending for long distances,
and many of these people stood for
hours in a vain hope of gaining adj
missions as the more fortunate
should become weared and give up
their places.
Greatest interest today attaches to
the Presidents message. This will
be the last annual message of Pres
| ident Roosevelt, prior to his retire
ment on March 4 next, and it Is de-
clared to be a summary Of the ac-
complishments and ambitions, real
lied and unrealized, of his admin
istration. Although the Big Stick is
not the menace to recalcitrant legis-
lators that it once was, it is certain
that the congressman will give care
full attention to the recommendations
of the president.
The membership of the Senate and
the House remains unchanged for
the present session. With an ex-
ception or two, no new men will
! 4, who can be forcefui factors for
liberating the lawmaking power. The
older men who hold positions of
leadership or Of influence in the
House are arguing that an analysis
of the November elections disclose
little or nothing that can be inter-
preted as a rebuke to the policies
adopted on the Hill for the last four
years. Senate leaders are little
less serene in thor attitude, because
the western elections will bring a
few progressive republicans into that
body, as well as an additional dem
ocrat or two.
1t is unlikely that little important
business aside from appropriations,
will be transacted by the present ses-
sion. The demand for largely in
creased appropriation for waterways,
which will be made at the present of
the National Rivers and Harbors
Congress this week may be acceded
to, and this is likely to be one of the
most important measures of this
Congress, SO far as direct benefit to
the whole people is concerned.
The statement of Chairman Payne
of the House Committee on Ways
and Means, that the new tariff bill
will be framed during the present
session of Congress, for enactment
into law at special session has
failed to end the discussion as to
how the tariff will be revised.
The framing of bill at this ses-
sion is taken by some who claim to
be fighting for thorough revision of
the tariff as an indication that the
schedules would be revised too
hastily and without intention of
much damage. Reports that manu-
facturers, importers and others in
terested were not given time to pre-
pare for the hearings, and for argu-
ment, when before the committee on
ways and means are in circulation.
The fight on Speaker Cannon is
causing much talk among the legis-
lators today.
The argument of the speakers
supporters takes this form: The op-
position is not SO much against Mr..
Cannon as against the stand-pat
members of the Ways and Means
Committee, especially Chairman
Payne and Representative Dalzell.
Mr.. Cannon did not put those men
on the committee. The late Speak
er Reed put them there. They and
other leading members of the COM
mittee secured their present places
through the system of committee ad-
vancement which has prevailed in
the House for so years. If Mr.. Taft
is making any war on the House or
organization, as found in Ways and
Means, it is war against the COM
there. His success would mean the
turning out of Chairman Payne and
Mr.. Dalzell and placing the revision
of the tariff in the hands OF Other
men.
A fairly amicable adjustment Of
relations between republicans who
will loom large in the next admin
istration is looked for soon. The
seeming differences between Presi
dent-elect Taft and Speaker Cannon
will likely disappear. The incoming
senators and representatives ar
, very adverse to party quarrel or t,
widening the breach between the tw
factions of the party.