Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1898 — ITS FINAL SESSION. [ARTICLE]

ITS FINAL SESSION.

BEGINNING OF THE END FOR PRESENT CONGRESS ' • 1 .<•. Gay Fcenen at the Capitol on ths Opening Day—Outline of the Work If la Intended to Accomplish Before LVth Congress Adjourns* Washington correspondence: Congress reassembled Monday under rireomstanees of unusual public interest. The same congress six months ago declared war against Spain, and now, with the war fought and won, it came together again for the first legislative consideration of the questions developed by the eventful months just past. The spirit of the occasion was not, however, one of immediate expectancy, for the few months left to the existence of the LA' th Congress gave promise of little more than a beginning on the momentous policies and problems growing out of the war. As usual, all Washington turned its at.totion to the capito! for that gala event which marks the opening day of a session. Xew Members Sworn In. The opening was without ceremony beyond that which marks the usual beginning of a session. Outside of the President's message there was no reference to the glorious history of the past summer. Practically the entire work in both the Senate and the House consisted in giving the oath to new members and reading the President’s message. In the Senate Joseph Simon, of Oregon, took the oath, completing the membership off that body for the first time in several years. The members were not all present. But there are now somewhere ninety Senators of the United States, the full number authorized by the constitution. In the Hsuse the oath was taken by Charles A. Dick, of Akron. Ohio, w’ho represents the famous Nineteenth District. the drstriet onee represented by the lamented Garfield. Mr. Lick succeeds the tote .Stephen A. Northway. Two new’ Representatives from Mississippi also took- the oath. F. A, McLane, of Gioster, for the Sixth District in place of the late Mr. Love, and Thomas Spight, of Ripley, for the Second District, in place of W. V. SiaKtvan. appointed Senator. , Distiagnished Visitors in the Senate. There were some notable spectators on the Seor of the Senate. The Lord High Chancellor of England, the Premier of Canada, and other members of the joint high commission were given seats with the Senators as a mark of consideration. In the diplomatic gallery were Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British ambassador, and hfe daughter, the minister from Siam and hrs secretary, the minister from Corea and his wife and secretary. Wu Ting Fang, minister from China, and one of the attaches of the Chinese legation, besides several diplomats of lesser prominence. Nearly all of them went out when the reading of the President’s message began, preferring to read the message at their convenience. The reading of the message occupied two hours and eighteen mtontes. Then the Senators drifted to the doakrooms and the committee-rooms to pertese it at their pleasure. Attendance in the House. There were more than the usual number of dtsttosuished personage in the thronged gaHeries of the House, ineluding many representatives of foreign governments, high officials, and ladies and gentlemen conspaeffiOus in social and political life. The greetings of the members were most orxliaL and there was no outcropping of partisan rancor to mar the occasion. One of the most striking incidents was the cordial meering between the floor leaders off the respective sides, Messrs. Dingley ami Bailey. Speaker Reed received a warm welcome fftoaa both sides of the House when he ascended the rostrum to call the House to order, but perhaps the greatest personal ovation to any member was that given to Major General Wheeler of Alabama, who has not been seen by many of his o&J cxdleagues since he went to the front at the head of the cavalry division of General Shafter’s army. W. A. Stone, of Pennsylvania: Benton McMillin, of Tennessee. and Joseph D. Sayers, of Texas, who hare been elected Governors of their respective States since Congress adjourned. were also overwhelmed with congratulations. The floral tributes were unusually aBBHMSL Representative Cousins of lowa has the honor of introducing the first bill in the House at this session of Congress.

Legislntioa to Be Enacted. Thanigh many questions may press for solution, the brief space covered by this session, which expires by limitation Mareh 4, preetades of mnch being accomplished beyond the passage of the regular money budgets, the legislation for the increase of the regular army, which the administration deems necessary to meet the obligations imposed npora the country by the result of the war, and probably the enactment of a law to give a permanent territorial government to the Hawaiian islands. This covers all the important legislation which the Congressional leaders expect to see enacted at this sesion. It is almost the unanimous sentinient of the members that no attempt shcnld be made to legislate con-; ceming the possessions acquired by the war with Spain at this session. There are earnest advocates of the Nicaraguan canal b*U. who will strive to secure its passage new. and they may possibly be successful, but neither it nor the pooling b2H nor anti-seaipers' bill, each of which has strong friends, win be allowed to interfere with the bills the passage off which is deemed absolutely necessary to prevent an extra session. The leaders at both ends of the capitol have pct their heads together, and the work of the session is to be entered upon with the idea of avoiding an extra sesrion. With this purpose in view the appropriation bills are to be given the road nt both ends of the capitol and pressed through with aB possible haste. An American soMier and a"native cabman were tilled by coming in contact with a fallen etectrie wire in Honolulu the other day. An inquest developed the fact that the interior of the wooden insulating ‘pen by which the wire was supported had been eaten away by ant® and the thin shell which remained had given way under the stress of a wind storm. Attorney General Griggs has decided that a person may draw money on a check without a stamp, provided the check is payabte to himaetf. from his nwn funds on *psMt in the bank in question.