Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-06

w AsHISaION. ~ u. Aprii. lst, icov
To the Editor of the KeaneJec Journal:
-Four months have elapsed since the legis-
lative do nothings, heretofore called the
Forty-sixth Congress, assembled. Many OF
its members-not only republicans but demo
crats-have asserted without scarcely dissem-
bling any truth, that it has positively done
nothing. The time has been frittered away
on useless Investigations, partizan acts and
presidential manoeuverings, none of which
have accomplished any results of the least
Importance. The appropriation bills, which
by this time ought all to have been passed,
or, at least, in conference committees, are,
with the exception of the Pension and Mill
tia Academy bill, still in abeyance. The Ar
my Appropriation bill will probably come up
in the House to-day. The tortifcation appro-
priation bill has gone back to the House com
mittee with important amendments which
will probably occupy the committees attention
for some weeks. The Indian and Consular
and Diplomatic bills cannot possibly come up
for consideration under two or three weeks,
and doubt if much before the lst of Nav.
Back of these are the important Navy, Post
Office, Legislative, Executive and Judicial,
Sundry Civil, and General Deficiency (the
Special Deficiency being now before the Sen
ate) and the River and Harbor bills.
Al of these must pass the test of the
committees, and the scrutiny of both Houses
ere they become laws, and many of them are
likely to cause exciting and protracted de-
bates Thus it seems mpossible-since this
long and unnecessary delay for Congress to
adjourn sooner than the last of June, and
probably as late as the middle of July. The
coming Presidential conventions may hurry
it up little.
The Deficiency bill now before the Senate,
| and which contains the Supervisors clause
will probably become a law as passed by the
House, as it is understood that the President
favors it about as it reads.
THE WAsHBURN- DoNELLY CASE.
The democrats seem to have settled down
10 the policy of declaring that neither Wash
burn nor Donnelly are entitled to a Congress
sonal seat from Minnesota, and the House
will probably declare the seat vacant. The
republicans will accept such an issue, and
will feel as if they had gained point; for
undoubtedly if such action is taken Wash
burn will be reelected.
Many of the rabid democrats are exceed
ingly irate at this decision, claiming that this
VIII eucnre tncm. 1T Is certainly better Tor
the republicans than the seating of Donnely.
PRESIDENTIAL CHANCES.
The late Ohio speech of Secretary Sher-
man seems to have strengthened his boom a
little in his own State (Which was weakening
so much heretofore, as to brighten HIM but
outside of Ohio it produces no perceptible
impression.
Senator Blaines chances are Frightening
every day: yet | am persuaded that none OF
his friends should assert too much or be over
confident, for in such assumptions they may
be led into temptation and let 90 needed ex-
ertion. There is hard work ahead and great
difficulties to overcome. 1t is better to cal
culate the true position and then work intel
ligently and with knowledge of what should
be dene | think the figures in your issue of
March 3lst, as to the first ballot at Chicago
little too strong. Did it stand for the sec
ond ballot it would not be far out of the way ;
| for think that on the second or third ballo,
James g. Blaine will be nominated. Taking
the latest estimate guaged by the best in
formed politicians, as represented by leading
men and newspapers in the various states,
ALLOWING that your informant's estimate OF
the southern delegation is nearly correct
and estimating results which are already
certain, it would seem that the following is
nearer an approximation of the result of the
first ballot viz.