Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-08
CONGRESS.

Congress has been in session a week.
The organization was speedily and har-
moniously completed. Mr.. Blaine fills
the Speakers chair again by the unani-
nous voice of the republican side of the
House and something more. Vice Presi-
dent Wilson appeared to preside over the
Senate. The standing committees in both
branches have been announced. Few
changes have been made in the Senate
committees. OF the senators from this
State, Mr.. Morrill, continues to be chair
man Of the Committee on Appropriations,
and is also member of the committees
on Naval and Indian Affairs. Mr.. Hamlin
is chairman of the committee on Mines
and Mining, and a member of the COM
mittees on Post Offices and Post Roads,
and Civil Service and Retrenchment. The
liberal republicans, with the exception of
Mr.. Upton, having concluded to accept
places upon committees at the hands of
the republicans in preference to being
placed at the mercy of the democrats,
Mr.. Sumner was assigned to the commit
tees on Privileges and Elections and Ed
ucation and Labor, while Mr.. Schurz was
placed upon the Foreign Affairs commit
tee.
In the House, Mr.. Dawes continues
chairman of the Ways and Means, Mr..
Garfield chairman Of the Committee on
Appropriations, and Mr.. Butler takes the
craftsmanship Of the Judiciary Committee,
recently held by Judge Bingham. Mr..
Maynard is transferred from the Ways and
Means to become chairman of the COM
mittee on Banking and Currency, thus
removing the craftsmanship from Mas
sachusetts to Tennessee. Mr.. Fernando
Wood obtains place on the Ways and
Means by virtue of having been the can
didate of the democrats for Speaker. usage
invariably according to the opposition and
unsuccessful candidate position upon
that committee. OF the members from
Maine, Hale is chairman of the committee
on the District of Columbia, and men,
Der of the committee on Appropriations,
Frye is chairman on Library and a men,
Der of the Judiciary committee Hersey is
a member of the committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, and Burleigh on
Naval Affairs. In looking over the COM
mittees it will be observed that the Speak
err has shown his usual independence and
fairness as to individuals in the appoint
ments, and marked sagacity in the COM
position of the committees as a whole and
with regard to the conflicting interests
which they represent. A careful analysis
of them will show that the Speaker under
stood his task and performed it in faith
full and skillful manner.
Thus the Senate and House are now in
order to proceed to business, which is
fair weeks work at the outset. But some
thing has been done beside organizing
The Presidents message and the accom-
panying reports and papers have been
read and sent out to the people. Various
bills and resolutions, some of them of an
important character. several ofthem upon
the subject of finance and currency, have
been presented in the Senate. Two able
speeches have been made one by Mr..
Morrill, of Vermont in favor OF resumption
Of specie payments on Jan. LIST, 1873, rep
resenting the most radical ideas entertain
ed upon that sidesof the currency question;
and one by Senator Ferry of Michigan
leading of for still farther imitation. While
the preponderating sentiment of the Sen
ate is decidedly against imitation, that
course is not without its advocates even
in that conservative body.
The alacrity with which the House has
gone about the repeal of the salary grab
is the most noticeable feature of the pro-
ceedings in that body. Numerous bills
for itsrepeal have been presented, MEM
bers appearing to vie with each other in
zeal TO wipe out the cause Of so much and
well founded dissatisfaction among their
constituents. II is healthy sign to wit
ness the republicans so ready to move in
conformity to the popular will, promising
wise and safe legislation in the future at
their hands. which means immunity from
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