The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-05
CONGRESS IN SESSION.
WAR CONGRESS BEGINS IT'S SEC.
OND SESSION.
Many Matters OF Great Importance
Must be Disposed Of-War Bill Will
Have Precedence.

its second and "long' session, with the
leaders prepared to stay here until
next autumn.
The Keynote of the legislative pro-
gram will be sounded Tuesday by
President Wilson in his opening ad-
dress before the joint session in the
chamber of the house at 1890 o'clock.
1t will be the presidents first APP
pearance before congress since the
night meeting on April End at the
opening of the special session called
to permit him to ask for a declara-
tion of a state Of war against Ger
many. Today's opening meeting
was as usual brief and prefunctory,
accompanied by the ordinary scenes
OF new session-handshakin and
other fluctuations with we'll filled gal
leries and much hustle and confus-
ion. After appointment of commit
tees by both bodies to notify Presi-
dent Wilson and each other of their
presence for duty and fixing their
daily meeting hour at IL o'clock, the
senate and house adjourned until to-
morrow out of respect to members
who died during the recess-Senator
Hastings of Wisconsin and Represen-
tative Martin of Illinois.
Arrangements will be made tomor-
row for a joint session, probably
Wednesday, to hear President Wilson
deliver his address. expected to large
ly definite the Legislative program
Organization of both senate and
house under Democratic control hav-
ing been effected at the special ses-
sion, both bodies were ready to
plunge into the mass of waiting bus
mess. Legislation. however. is not
to get into full swing until
next month, after the Christmas re-
cess. although there is some agitation
tn forego the holiday.
Tomorrow will come the initial
flood of bills, resolutions and pc
titions. Among the latter are many
petitions accumulated during the re-
cess, demanding the expulsion of SEN
ator LaFollette Of Wisconsin forNal-
legged disloyalty. His speech last Sep
tember at st. Paul, Mimi, was con-
sidered today by the senate privileges |
and elections committee in connection !
with sub-committee's investigation.
General miscellaneous legislation is
to come Immediately before congress
possibly including some measures af- !
fecting this country's course in the !
war against Germany's allies, Austria
Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. Con-
gress is expected. however to follow |
the views of the president in this re-
spect.
Appropriation measures will require
much time. Fourteen general and
probably several special supply bills
FOR the fiscal year beginning July /,
1918, as well as estimates OF addi-
lional money for present war needs.
are to be considered. probably immc-
iiately after New Years. Two bills
he legislative. executive and judicia'
and District of Columbia measures !
ilready are under preparation.
With s21,39O, 100000 already ap-
proprlatcd for the present fiscal years
needs. many members believe that,
with Forthcoming appropriations,
the fifty-bilion-dollar mark may be
reached for two years OF war.
New war revenue legislation il
not scheduled for active considera-
tion FOR month or more. A defici,
OF S3,9O6, 100000 in this years ex-
pcnditures remains to be provided for
Political affairs will come in for
much consideration during the ses-
sion, with considerable speechmak-
ing' In view Of general congression-
al elections next fall at which thirty
two senators, nineteen Democrats and
lhirteen republicans, and the entire
mousse membership are to be chosen.
Many members believe political cam
p2ign necessities may shorten the ses-
sion.
The Democrats start the session i'm
control Of both senate and house with
o. Democratic senators against az
Republicans. with one seat-Senator
trusting In the house the
democrats have 216 members the
republicans 2l3, with five independ-
cnts and one seat vacant.
! SnNornl