The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-07

f Open December T. a. noon.
+ Closes March A, ataneon. +
f. Senate: Republicanss 81; DEM +
I. ocrats, 81. Total go. I.
4 House: Republicans. 221: dem +
I. ocrats, 169; vacancies, 2. Total, +
r 391. +
4.++ + + + + r E + + At4++
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7-Resembl-
ing more a social function than a Sc
rious assemblage for the transaction
of the business of the nation, the
Sixtieth congress convened today for
it's final session A brilliant array
of diplomats, society women and rela-
tives 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 legis-
Iature started in it's work that the
galleries of the house were reserved
for the families and friends of mem
bers, 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 Wearied and give up their
places.
Greatest interest today attaches to
the presidents message This will be
the last anual message of President
Roosevelt, prior to his retirement on
March 4, next, and it is declared to be
cassie summary of the accomplish
ments and ambitions, realized and
unrealiZed, of his administration. AL
though the big stick is not the menace
TO recalcitrant legislators that it once
was, it is certain that the congress-
men will give careful attention to the
communications of the president
The membership of the senate and
house remains unchanged for the
present session. With an exception
Of two, no new men will come into
either branch, after March 4, who can
be forceful factors for liberating the
law making power. The older men
who ho,d positions of leadership Or of
influence in the house are arguing
that an analysis of the November cleo
tiOns disclose little Or nothing that
can be interpreted as rebuke to the
policies adopted on the hill for the
last four years. Senate leaders are a
little less serene in their attitude, be-
cause the western elections will bring
few progressive republicans into
that body, as we'll as an additional
democrat or two.
1t is unlikely that little important
business, aside from appropriations,
vii be transacted by the present ses-
sion. The demand for a largely in
creased appropriation for waterways,
which viii be made at the session of
jhe national rivers and harbors con-
Sress this week, may be acceded to,
and this is likely to be one of the most
important measures of this congress,
50 far as direct benefit to the whole
people is concerned.
The statement of Chairman Payne
of the house committee on ways and
means, that a 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 a bill at this session
Is taken by some who claim to be
hghting for a thorough revision of the
tariff as an indication that the sched-
uIeS would be revised too hastily and
without intention of much damage.
reports that manufacturers, import
ers, and others interested were not
given enough time to prepare for the
hearings. and for argument, when be-
lore the committee on ways and
means are in circulation.
The fight on Speaker Cannon is
causing much talk among the legis-
lators today.
Inc argument of the speakers sup
porters takes this form: The opposi-
Oon is not so much against Mr.. Can
non as against the stand-pat members
VI the ways and means committee, es
Pec'ally Chairman Payne and Repre-
sentative Dalzell. Mr.. Cannon did not
put those men on the committee. The
tdIe Speaker Reed put them there.
lhey and other leading members of
"he committee secured their present
PAGES through the system of COM
Huttee advancement which has pre-
vailed in the house for so years. If Mr..
ldIt Is making any war on the house
sanitation as found in ways and
means, it is a war against the COM
in''tee system which has grown up
N'ere. His success would mean the
rurhlng out of Chairman Payne and
D"zeH and placing the revision of
''ie tariff in the hands of another man.
fairly amicable adjustment of
'elduons between republicans who
VII loom large in the next administra-
ooh IS looked for soon The seeming
rAeIenceS between elect
.alt and Speaker Cannon will likely
eappear. The incoming senators and
resentatives are very averse to a
10y quarrel or to widening the