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14
ITS FINAL
SESSION.
Congress Will. Meet on
Monday Next.
A BRIEF OF ITS BUSINESS.
Plenty of Politics and Appropria
tion Bills.
THE PRELIMINARY FORMALITIES.
Koine Campaign History Slay He Laid
Bare —Changes In the Senate Chamber.
Senators Must Talk to Small Audiences
Hereafter —How the House Will Take
Up Its Work —Not Much Can lie Ac
complished at This Session.
Washington, Dec. 4.—On Monday next
the Fifty-fourth congress will meet for its
second and final session. For all the good
it can do or for all the people of the United
States care about it it might as well pass
a resolution Monday to continue the ap
propriations for another year and adjourn
sine die. None would miss it. It has not
been much of a congress anyway, and to
day almost all interest centers in the Fifty
fifth congress, which, if signs do not fail,
will come together soon after the 4th of
March to take hold of the great tariff
question and the much discussed financial
question and determine them, if it can.
Perhaps the Fifty-fifth congress will ac
complish no more than the Fifty-fourth
has acomplished. Perhaps the 4th of
March, 1899, will roll around and find the
tariff and the currency questions still un
settled. Probably not. The next congress
will be in sympathy with the next presi
dent politically, and if they have any fam
ily quarrels, they will adjust most of them
in private, and some legislation of broad
significance will result. It may not be
final —public men say these questions of
tariff and finance never will be settled
finally—but it will change the conditions
according to the administration policy, if
I am not very much mistaken, and that is
what the present congress could not possi
bly have done. An administration with a
hostile majority in either house of con
gress is a very helpless thing. And so is a
congress with a hostile administration un
less it can muster a two-thirds majority
and defy the veto power.
If the president and congress were in
sympathy now, how much could be done
before noon of the 4th of March, or mid
night of the 3d, for congress expires by
limitation with legislative day of the 3d
of March, though it sits till noon of the
next calendar day. What a good time the
president could have with the house and
senate calling in the greenbacks, adjust
ing rates of duty and putting the country
on a square Democratic basis before tho
enemy came into power. But the presi
dent and congress are not in sympathy on
anything but the Venezuela question, and
so there is no chance of important legis
lation. Even if the house and senate could
bury their differences on the coinage ques
tion and como to an understanding about
a revenue bill the president would veto it.
V.'hy Congress Meets.
Why dofour hundred and odd gen
tJnmeu get together tuen it. tlio big white
hrfiiUiwg oa Capitol hill? Chiefly to pass
the annual appropriation bills. Without
these the customs dues might continue to
come in, and the internal revenue taxes to
be paid, and there would be no authority
to pay out the money for ships or guns, or
to pay the pensioners, or to provide the
great army of clerks arid other employees
who carry on the business of the govern
ment. But, forthat matter, there wouldn’t
be any revenue, because there would be no
way to pay the men whose duty it now is
to collect the customs or the internal rev
enue tax. Even the president would have
to fall back on bis private fortune or go
out to board with his wife’s particular
friends, the Leiters, in their big house on
Dupont circle.
This is not a fanciful and impossible
picture lam drawing. It is a sober real
ity, and with one or another feature of it
the executive has been brought in contact
more than once. When the president and
congress had a deadlock encounter over tho
army appropriation bill in Hayes’ admin
istration, the president had to call con
gress in special session immediately after
adjournment to pass the neglected bill be
cause the war department was without
money, and without that the army must
have been disbanded soon. We have seen,
too, in recent years how the business of
the federal courts has been suspended be-
Sf. v' ; ' ’W. z -i
CHAPLAIN W. 11. MILBURN.
?auso the sum appropriated by congress
tor witness fees was exhausted before tho
end of the fiscal year. Congress must puss
the appropriation bills, and for two weeks
now committees of house and senate have
been at work preparing these bills to ho
reported in the house and considered In
the senate. The clever Cleaves and tin.
astute Courts, clerks of the senate and
house committees respectively, have set up
tho machinery and tested and oiled it, and
everything is ready for tho start. Prompt
ly at noon of Monday next Engineers Ste
venson and Reed will turn on steam, and
the wheels will begin to revolve.
Not noiselessly; they will revolve with
a rattle and a roar that will be hoard till
over the country. It it was merely tho
pa san go of the appropriation bills that was
expected of tho session about to begin, I
doubt if tho American public would give
it a second thought. WTiat Interests the
public at all in this reassembling is the
fact that four hundred and odd men
who were vitally interested in tho recent
election, are coming together to talk about
it in public. There will bo some pretty
plain talk too. Mouths which were closed
by policy iast summer are open now.
Things have happened, too, to arouse the
envy and stir up the bitterness in men's
hearts. “We bow to the will of the ma
jority,” they have said in the newspapers.
But some of them haven’t bowed to any
considerable extent. It was a graceful
thing to say and perhaps tho talk should
stop at that. But they will say much
more—much that is hard and abusive, I
am afraid. Some men take defeat with a
very bud grace. At all events we will
probably hear some of the secrets of the
campaign from our plain spoken friends—
the men who were defeated for re-election.
Congressional Adjournments.
When congress takes a rest at the end of
Its first session, it adjourns “without day”
—that is, it adjourns without naming a
day for reassembling. It is subject to the
call of the president, but unless lie calls it
in session, it cannot assemble until the
time fixed by the constitution for the reg
ular annual meeting, the first Monday in
December. President Cleveland has not
had occasion to call a special session, in
spite of rumors of impending war with
Spain and other alarming reports which
have circulated in Wall street and made
business for the brokers. It will be noon
of the first Monday in December, then,
when the president of the senate and the
speaker of the house call congress to order.
There are not the little features cf Inter
est about this reassembling that there
were about the meeting of a year ago. ,
The assembling of a new congress has
much that is exciting. There is the re
union of old members—usually following
an interval of nine months. There is tho
gathering of tho new members, about
whom all the old members are curious,
and who are very curious in their turn,
not alone about the old members, but
about each other and about everything
they see. There is the election of a speak
er in the house, the allotment of seats by
ballot, the installation of the now officers,
the swearing in of everybody. In the sen
ate there is speculation about the allot
ment of committee places, and possibly
there is the election of a new president pro
tempore and another secretary. All these
enlivening features will be lacking next
Monday. The members of senate and
house will gather at tho capital to take
seats at the old accustomed desks. There
will bo greetings between those who have
been separated for five months perhaps.
There will be introductions to a few new
members taking the places of those who
have died —tho son of tho late Charles F.
Crisp among them. But for tho most part
the business of house and senate will be
taken up like a broken thread at the place
where it was dropped last summer.
One thing the senators will find changed
when they take their seats on Monday.
Tho senate chamber, which is refurnished
in part every second or third year, has
been taken to pieces and put together
again with many improvements. Some
of the changes are the introduction of elec
tric lights, the revolution of tho ventilat
ing system and the provision of fresh paint
on the walls, fresh carpet on the floor and
chairs in the galleries. It takes tho gov
ernment a long time to adopt modern
ideas. Any one who knows the conserva
tiveness of congress marvels at the fact
that the government supplied the money
to test Morse’s telegraph between Wash
ington and Baltimore. When all over the
United States in modern buildings the
electric light had supplanted tho gas jet,
the senate and house were still using gas.
Several years ago electric lights were put
in the senate offices, but until this time
the senate chamber has been illuminated
by gas lights shining through squares of
stained glass let into the ceiling. The
lighting of these gas jets was accompanied
always by much popping and cracking
from the electric lighters, and usually the
senators were entertained by the shadow
of a man making iris way along the beams,
taper in hand, to the point where some jet
of gas had failed to catch tjie spark. By
the way, it was a shadow from this ceiling
falling on a senator’s desk in a memorable
executive session many years ago which
called attention to the fact that a man was
lying on one of the beams listening to the
proceedings.
Hereafter there will be no more noise
when the chamber is lighted. The ser
geant-at-arms will turn a button as he sits
by the vice president’s rostrum and the
chamber will glow with the radiance of
the incandescent light shining from above.
The Problem of Ventilation.
The ventilation of the senate lias been a
serious problem at ail times since the capi
tal was built. It was neglected in the
construction of the chamber. Years after
some pipes which had been put in the
walls by the first builders with the idea
that they might be used for removing im
pure’air were found bricked up. They
were opened. A duct was laid from the
subbasemont of the building to a round
stone tower in the grounds. Big fans were
placed at the inner end of tho duct, and
these drew the air in and sent it rushing
upward through distributing pipes to the
senate chamber and the committee rooms.
In summer the air passed over blocks of
Ice, in winter through a coil of steam
pipes. Around the chamber under the
senators' chairs were ventilators, through
which the frosh air poured. The foul air
was supposed to bo drawn off through
tho ceiling. Modern scientists say the
perfect system of ventilation introduces
the fresh air above and draws off the
heavy, foul air below. This system was
considered by tho senate committee on
ventilation, but for some reason was not
adopted. But the old plan Was improved
by removing tho ventilators in tho floor,
which wore found to bo clogged with all
kinds of refuse. The new ventilators are
in the sides of the desks. In tho galleries,
where chairs have boon substituted for the
long lienohes, the ventilators are in the
supports of tlie chairs. In place of blocks
of ice a refrigerating plant in tho terrace
will cool the air in summer. Electric fans
have taken the place of the old steam fans
and tho heating apparatus lias been re
newed.
Tho walls of tho chamber have boon
painted, a new carpet lies been laid, and
with tlie bright now galleries, arranged
like tlie galleries of a theater, the senate
chamber looks quite another place. But
won’t there bo an outcry from tho public
when there is a notable debate or ceremony
in the chamber! The seating capacity of
tho galleries has been reduced from 1,500
to 750.
The Coming of tlie lawmakers.
Tho senators will begin to gather before
noon on Monday, and their interest will
bo divided between admiration for tho im
nrni“„> the chamber and tlio discur
THE ROME TRIBUNE, S NDAY, DECEMBER €, 1896.
slon of politics. At sharp noon Vice ires
ident Stevenson will leave his room ac
companied by the blind chaplain, Dr. Mil
burn, and enter the senate chamber. With
the little handleless gavel of ivory he will
tap on the desk, and conversation on the
floor and in the galleries will cease. Dr.
Milburn will deliver a brief prayer. Then
Secretary Cox, at his familiar place at the
desk below, will read tho journal of the
last day’s session.
Speaker .Reed will call the house to or
der at the stroke of noon and stand while
the chaplain delivers tho invocation. The
house will go through the routine of its
everyday session until a motion is made
to appoint a committee to notify tho presi
dent that congress is in session. Notice <.f
this action will he sent to the senate. The
vice president will name members of the
committee. These senators and represent
atives will take carriages and go to the
White House. Meantime the house and
senate will wait. None but perfunctory
business will be transacted until the com
mittee returns to report that the president
will communicate with congress. Wheth
er he will communicate on that day or the
next is something which will be commu
nicated to the presiding officers of the two
houses informally. If the annual message
is to bo delivered on that day, tho two
houses will remain in session to receive it.
If not, they will adjourn after the trans-
W/ w
CHARLES IL CRISP.
[Son of tho late Congressman Crisp.]
action of routine business, and the com
mittees will go to work on the appropria
tion bills. When the message is presented
—on Monday or Tuesday—tho senate and
house will listen to the reading of it in
silence, and the two houses will adjourn
for the day. No business of importance
will bo done on the first day, then, and
probably not on tho second. Uy the third
perhaps one of the house committees will
bo ready to report an appropriation bill.
Much business lies on the calendars of
congress half done. There are tho bank
ruptcy bill, the Dingley bill to provide for
the temporary deficiency in the revenue,
Lodge’s bill prescribing an educational test
for immigrants, the bill to reorganize the
consular service, the bill to establish an
industrial commission, the Pickier pension
bill and currency bills galore. None of
them has much chance of passing. The
arbitration treaty with England must bo
considered by tho senate in executive ses
sion, and tlio Cuban question is bound to
create debate if nothing else. But tho ex
perience of many years shows tiiatlittle of
Importance i i likely to be done by congress
in tho last, < r “short,” session except to
pass the annual,r.; propriation bills.
Gr.my n Gr. ANTHAM BAIN.
Cancer
Oi the Breast.
Mr. A. H. Crausby, of 158 Kerr St.,
Memphis, Tenn., says that his wife
paid no attention to a small lump which
appeared in her breast, but it soon de
veloped into a cancer of the worst type,
and notwithstanding the treatment of
the best physicians, it continued to
spread and grow rapidly, eating two
holes in her breast. The doctors
(f-ft soon pronounced
zyK'X’iJu her incurable. A
celebrated New York
specialist then treat-
TBS. iSw ed her, but she con
s T/ tinued to grow worse
fC, and when informed
t^lat hoth her aunt
and grandmother had
died from cancer he
/ / J g ave case up as
A hopeless.
’FIhB’ ' Someone then re-
•*' commended S.S.S.
and though little hope remained, she
begun it, and an improvement was no
ticed. The cancer commenced to heal and
when she had taken several bottles it
disappeared entirely, and although sev
eral years have elapsed, not a sign of
the disease has ever returned.
A Real Blood Remedy.
S.S.S. (guaranteed purely vegetable)
is a real blood remedy, and never fails
to cure Cancer, Eczema, Rheumatism
Scrofula, or any other blood disease.
Our books
will be mailed
free to any ad
dress. Swift . Nm
Specific Co., M
Atlanta Ga.
M. A. THEDFORD’S
VEQETUBE
A*' I L^W^ :!,ST ' v£Nesf
dyspepsia / K? , Sick oh
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b/IWSI/ESS\ A JAUNDICE
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I* —IROMEH- ’W
I INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS. I
If Rome would become more prosperous its home institutions must be patronized
by Rome people Its wonderful resources and advantages for manufacturing will avail
nothing unless our factories and wholesale merchants are encouraged and sustained by
that local pride and patronage, which are the secret of the growth and prosperity of
many less favored cities.
The Tribune is earnestly enlisted in the work of keeping Rome money in circula
tion at home. With this purpose the following list of Rome merchants, industries and
institutions has been compiled. We recommend every institution and article mentioned
in this column as worthy of the support and patronage of all citizens :
Carlock Packing Co.
ROME, GEORGIA.
Elastic and
Sectional
jHBk RING
HBMB PACKING
For stationery and portable engines.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
Rome Slave Works,
TOCCOA STOVES (Eight Sizes)
HENNES A W « KATES,
Frames fit standard size mantles with tile
filling- —three sizes, 19, 20 and 23 inches
TERHUNE NIXON CO.
229 Broad Street, Rome, Ga.
W. T. JONE!?,
Manufacturer and Dealer in
Marble and Granite
Monuments, Headstones, Statues.
Coppings, Etc.
Cemetery and building work of all de
scriptions made to order. All orders
promptly attended to and executed in
the neatest manner possible.
414 Broad Street, Rome. Ga.
Geo. F. Chidsey & Sod,
WHOLESALE
Brokers & Commission Merchants
No. 5 Broad Street,
'Umiiin ROME, GA.
H. E. KELLEY. M. B. McWILLIAMS.
kelley & McWilliams,
No. 13 Broad St., Rome, Ga.
WHOLESALE
Grocers I Commission Merchants
——O
We make a specialty of the handling
of Corn, Oats, Bran and Hay. The
trade of the merchants solicited.
SMITH & LOWE,
Wholesale Brokers and Jobbers,
No. 7 Broad Street, Rome, Ua.
No. 47 E. A abauia Street, Atlanta, Ga.
Our Specialties: Heavy Groceries, Bagging. Ties, Hay and train
Call on or write ns for prices on Potatoes and Apples in car lots or
less Correspondence solicited ot all jobbers in our line.
ESTABLISHED IN 1881.
Patton Sash, Door and Building Co..
J. B. PATTON, President.
TBorxxe, : : G-eoigla.
Manufacturers « and * General Contractors.
DEALERS’IN ALL KINDS OF
Kiln Dried Flooring and Ceiling, Moulding, Brackets, Etc.. Sash
Doors and B'inds. Porch Work and Stair Work a’specialty. Give us a
all. Write for prices or Telephone 4S-• 10 2lm
R. G. CLARK, Prea’t. J. N. KING, M’g’r.
C. W. KING, See. & Treas.
HOWEL
Cotton Company
OF GEORGIA,
COTTON COMMISSION,
ROME, GEORGIA.
THOMPSON HILES.
President. Sec. & Treas.
Tlnimpi) Hiles Co.
WHOLESALE
Dry Goods, Boots, Shoes
HATS, NOTIONS, Etc.
250 <fc 252 Broad St., Rome, Ga.
Rome Fruit & Produce Co.
Wholesale Commission Merchants,
MANUFACTURERS OF
Superior Stock Feed
and Water Ground Meal
No. 7 Third Avenue, Rome, Ga.
Consignments solicited of apples, pota
toes, onions, cabbage, buiter, eggs, poultry,
game, dried fruit, hides, beeswax, tallow
and all kinds of small fruit in season.
References: First National Bank.
A. W. hart,
231 BROAD ST., ROME, GA.
(Hoyt’s Old Stand.)
Practical Boot and Shoemaker
Leather and Shoemakers’ supplies.
Fully prepared to furnish anything
in my line of business from a brogan
to a ladies’fine shoe. A good stock
always on hand. Give me a call and
save money. Repairing done in the
best style at reasonable prices. Only
house in Rome that sells shoe lasts.
I J. L. BRANNON. R. S. BRANNON.
J. L. BRANNON & CO.,
Wholesale Grocers
AND DEALERS IN
FARMERS’ SUPPLIES,
23 Bread Street. Rome, Ga.
WARTERS
Extra Good
BEST 5c CIGAR.
■ mi co.
14 and 16 Broad Street.
Everything in the Hardware line
at hard-pan prices. Tennessee and
Old Hickory Wagons, Chattanooga
Chilled Plows, Disk Harrows, Bag
gies, Phaetons, Buggy Harness,
Wagon Harness, etc. Exclusive
agents for Rome Stove Works
W. W. WATTERS,
“The Greenest Plumber
In Rome.”
Water and Gas Fitting.
All sorts of Plumbing work.
Pumps, Hydraulic Rams and other
machinery for raising water.
No. 9 Third Avenue, - Rome, Ga.
W. H. STEELE.
IMPORTER AND JOBBER OF
China, Glassware,
TINWARE, LAMPS,
Stoves and Housefurnishing Goods,
ROME, GA.
I. F. Greene & Co.,
Livery, Feed and Trade Stable*
(Colclougb’s old stand.)
324 Broad St., - Rome, Ga.
First-class teams and vehicles at rea
sonable rates. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Patronage solicited.
Special accommodations for wagoners
and stock dealers. nov 1.
J. E. WINFREY’S
CIGAR FACTOR.
o_
’’HAND-MADE and HOME-MADE.”
o
Pure Havana,
Winfrey’s Hand-Made.
W. & A. Cigars.
The best Fivk Cent cigars on the
market. There are none better, because
none better can be made The manu
facture of all cigars personally superin
tended.
patronage solicited. Care
fulattention given to all orders.
I No.’ 22 Broad Street,