Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-18

now examining papers and witnesses in the three
disputed States are most partial in their methods
and arbitrary in their Investigations they no
doubt will be in their conclusions AMI reports.
There will evidently be a wide difference between
the democratic ami republican members OF the
committees and ell their research and expense
will amount to nothing
So far as the Electoral College is concerned
there will evidently be no agreement as to suy
different method Of declaring the result which
will affect the present case. The Seu4te-demo-
crats a, well as republicans--has de iJed the Z2nd
Joint Rlle not in force, consequently the Old
constitutional method /, the legal, binding, AMI
only one.
Pre-. ideut Grant, in ptivt,e conversation few
days since, said that he now knew that he should
| leave tie White House in the possession of as
good a republican as be himself was. The Pres
id,nt is right. Gov. Hayes, re'iccnt to the la'',
now speaks out sssuii1gly.
Tue s.ions Of Congress are nov and thcn en-
ivcned by heated discussions. on disputed rucs or
rulings aud upon the great disturbing question
the Presidency, bu', otherwise, are dali AMI quite
void Of interest
The speeches If Senators No. ton ami imunJs
upon the Eec'or principle were very able and
comm lndcl the closest attention in the Senate,
they undoubtedly will throughout the country
when read.
TIE only prominent legislative act passed by
the House thus far, is the silver Bill, which au
thorizcs the coinage Of the silver dollar. The I'll
received u large maj )rity in the House, but viii
evidently be me; in the Senate by co nparAtively
larger opposition and closer scrutiny. The bill
rushed through the House in haste and in at
vance Of the report Of a Committee appointed by
the last House to throughly Investigate the wao!,
subject.
| Even il the bill passes the Senate, it VIII most
| likely be vetoed by the President, who, it Is
said CT good authority, is decidedly opposed to r..
80 cut the 50 nays to the passage Of the Bal,
came from New York AID New England
| Il l. quite probable that Congress VIII j)urn
the first Of next week until after the holidays.
The two Houses are 50 thin by reason Of the alb
seuce Of members on the various committees that
II has a depressing or dscourasing effect on those
remaining. Probably by the middle Of January
all the Committees viii have returned.
Tn Capitol is getting to be quite lively again
since there is more assurance of the settlement of
the Presidential muddle. The stores are full of
customers and Christina, presents are selling
quite abundantly,
The recent cold snap closed mp tie Potomac for
few days, but the warmer weather Of this week
has opened it again.
Hon. WIN. T. Frye seems to be taking the lead
in directing the republican side Of the House
Maine should lc proud OF - ale Representa-
tive. Z. j. b.
No Blockade OF Appropriations.
A Washington special to the Tribune Of Fid Y
says:
The House Of Repre- .entatiyes will proceed as
rapidly as possible with the regular appropriation
bills, and make an honest effort to pass them all
before the +th of next March, no matter how
much political excitement there may be in the
mean time. 1t is not seriously contemplated to
refn-e to make appropriations until 1t is de eJ-
mined who is TO be inaugugated President. The
democratic leaders of the House say that either
| Hayes or Tden will he President and they recog-
rze the fact that they have no right in either
| event to cripple the government by Withholding
the necessary funds to keep lis machinery IN mo-
ton.
In accordance with this policy the different bills
were to- lay assigned 10 the several members OF
the Appropriation Committee IN order that they
may be reported al the earliest possible day. In
the House several hours OF good honest work
were put in on the post office bill. THIS bill is
constructed substantially on the basis of last
| si)n's appropriations with some unimportant re-
auctions, of course. This does not give the Post
| Office Department much money ii asked for
bv nearly three millions. but it leaves the service
substantially as it now i.