Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-01
WASHINGTON, ID. e. Jan. p, 1851

WARRINGTON, ID. G. Jan. %, 1851.
Editor of the Kenne5ee Journal:
Nothing shows more the earncstness Of a
Congress. in its endeavors to dispatch pub
lie or private business, than successful Sc
ries of evening sessions 1t is certain that
these extra hours are not admired by MEM
bers Of either party, as they are often prolonged
into the following day. Still, if ordered, dur
ing the sessions when the Republicans held
control. they were generally sufficiently at
tended to make them available for legislation.
Since the Democracy has had charge, nearly
all such attempts at extra work have proved
futile. The most Iudicrous and discouraging
example was that Of last Friday evening
which was TO have been used for the consid
GRAFTON of private claims. Of these, the num-
Der 10 legion. vet very, very many are Of the
most deserving kind. and some have been
pressed session after session with no avail.
On this evening, the ball was opened by
our Representative, Mr.. Lindsey. who is one
Of the hard working members Of the Com
mittee On Claims, by submitting report in
favor Of Theophilus r. Chandler. late as
sistant treasurer of Boston, whose discussing
clerk was a defauter to the United States. to
the amount Of $3.50 900 After full discus
sion Of the claim, in committee of the whole,
the House found itself unable to pass upon it
BY reason of a want Of quorum Thereupon
the Sergeant at Arms was sent abroad 10 hunt
up and bring in the absentees. This un-
pleasant work have no doubt he endeavored
faithfully to perform; but when these rec
81. 81.
House, such Gin many cases, imsy excuses
were made and accepted that others already
there. took occasion TO absent themselves,
and in consequence the whole night long was
taken up in useless roll calls. and equally
useless attempts to get quorum. Finally,
after an eloquent and severe touching up by
Mr. FRYE, relative to the absurd and con-
temptuous manner in which the House Of
Representatives were treating the business of
the people. it adjourned at six o'clock in the
morning. having accomplished nothing, ex-
cept that Of making itself a laughing stock
and disgrace to the country. Absenteeism
has been more general during the sessions of
the last two Congresses, than at any time in
the history of legislation in this country, es-
pecially in the House of Representatives.
Will any one pretend to say that the DEM
ocratic party gives us examples of industry
in legislation True some members of the
other political faith have been lax in atten-
dance, but they are exceptions. The Re
publicans, as n rule, have been found at their
posts when business of Importance was to be
transacted.
Sometimes, however, this want of quorum
works good to the country; and, SO far as the
remainder of the session is concerned, per-
haps it will be as well if the democrats get
hnt 70 Two nd fho
electoral bill yesterday failed on this account :;
and considerable other deviltry has been frus-
trated BY the same means.
THE FUNDING BILL.
1t is now believed that the funding bill has
got a. far along the road to passage as it will
get this session. and that means a sure death
to it. The Senate committee, in its hearings
on the subject has found that the difficulties
in the way of a successful floating of such a
class of bonds are almost nsurmountable. The
banks are decidedly opposed to the measure.
and men of sagacious financial views look up
on the scheme as a virtual upsetting of our
refunding measures. Being more conserva-
tive the Senate committee will either modify
greatly, the bil-as for instance giving it q
81 per cent interest-or let the question
quietly rest in the committee room Either
one will subject the bill to certain defeat.
The SURFING INTERESTS.
Great interest is just now being manifested
in the supposed attitude of Mr.. Blaine rcla-
tive to our foreign and domestic commerce.
free ships or otherwise, and many other SINH
larry important points relating to these great
questions. in view of his becoming Secretary
of State. The fishery treaties, too, come in
with the rest. New Englanders. particularly
seem to be exceedingly gratifed at the pros
pect Of his elevation to that important post
of duty. feeling that these interests will be
better attended to than in the past. Certain
it is that John Bull will have no walk over
in case Mr.. Blaine has hand in this bust
ness. His action on the fisheries question
has already made very strong impress on
the usually thick Uranium of the aforesaid
And certain it is that these important ques-
tions need greater attention and study than
have, hitherto, been given them.
ISAUGrRArIoN CEREMONIES.
The various committees on Inaugural Ger
emonies have now nearly mapped ont their
work and will very soon complete the prepa-
rRtions. II is now certain that the process
sions. decorations. fireworks and crowds will
be of \ magnificent nature, exceeding any
thing of the kind ever seen before on Inaug-
uration DAYS. 1t will be well worth coming
from long distances to see this demonstration.
Every State in the Union will be represented
by one or more military companies. while the
regular and the civic organizations will be
numerous. Probably from +O,o00 to 30. 900
persons will be in line. Many of the organ
izations to he represented are among the fin
est in the county. Several full regiments
will be in line. and in one or two instances
brigades and battalions.
THIS WEATHER
is still severe. Large snow banks still linger
in the city. Outside of il the sleghing is
good. the Potomac is frozen as solid as ever.
and the ice companies are gathering a plenti-