Show WHITE CASE 1 I UE SEAF OF DECLARED VACANT fiery irime arom he republican bauks ot the ENQUIRES washington feb in their frantic efforts to manufacture a little much needed political capital this week th de operate republicans public ans of the foiw unwittingly fell into a snare from which they found it impossible to extricate thema selves they introduced a resolution to abo business methods of public printer benedict this official at once the inquiry in a manner that was perfectly convincing and satisfactory it had been alleged that he was in arrears yet it was shown that every bill introduced in either house or senate up to the day before had been received from the printer and in the document room was completely indexed for use and reference then upon motion of mr springer the investigation was extended so as to include the term of mr bounds the aate republican printed prin tei despite the protest of the minority against investigating the doings of a dead man it is probable that tho fires of partisan strife will soon blaze fiercely forth in the house over the abito lowry election contest from indiana the democratic majority of the com cittee on elections have agreed to a report recommending the un seating of white on the ground to become naturalized within the time specified by the law he being a native of scotland the committee further recommended that the seat be declared vacant as there was no legal election should the republicans lose the seat which is almost certain in the event of a new election that party would be unable to control the indiana delegation and thus would lose their power to elecie a president of the united states if the election should be thrown upon the bouse they have but one majority of the vote by states from such a standpoint this contest assumes national importance and will be one of the great events of the session aspiring statesmen have showered tariff bills to the number of three hundred upon the ways and iveans committee still the astute member whose duty ii is to present these measures will find little trouble in separating the wheat from the chaff As yet the delegation have been unable to come to an agreement as to what shall be done with sugar in the new tariff bill this anxiously awaited measure by the way is being very carefully considered and it is thought by those in position to know most about its character that it will pass the house and be satisfactory to the country although the proposition to reduce letter postage to one cent had its fate sealed for the time by an adverse senate report the subject like banquot ghost will not down more penny postage bills are being prepared and will bo introduced and voted upon again during this congress the senate has again voted for the opening of congress on october closing of the short session on april the and also for changing inauguration tion day to april should this pass the house being a constitutional tut ional amendment it would still need to be ratified by throe fourths of the state legislatures before it could become a law in the house there is another bill which provides that the congress shall open on the first monday in january and the timo of final adjourn ment shall be at noon on the of december this would practically make a continuous session for the two years term with only such recesses as the two houses might agree to so it is impossible tp know just what the new law will finally be but there is little doubt that the existing order ot things with reference to the official terms of the president vice president senators and representatives will be changed liy the present congress |