Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-04-04
Maine Men In Congress.
WHAT THE BosToS Journal SAYS OF tn

Mr.. Hale was promptly in his seat at the
beginning of the session, and was IN constant
attendance to the end. He was a member of
the Committee on Appropriations. and Chair
man of the Select Committee on the Census.
Representing the latter committee, he sue
ceeded in securing the deficiency appropria-
ton so much needed to rescue the census
from collapse duty which, possibly, he
may be called upon again to perform at the
next Congress. The census is a Behemoth.
the full capacity and measure of which has
not yet been taken Mr.. Hale introduced
bills and joint resolutions to increase the
number of Judges of the Court of Alabama
Claims, and to abolish compulsory pilot fees.
He was member Of the Conference Commit
tees on the Agricultural, Deficiency, Naval
and Sundry Civil Appropriation bills, duties
which were very exacting at the close of the
session. He moved to indefinitely postpone
the Fitz John Porter bill He introduced
resolution directing the Judiciary Committee
to furnish information relative to political
assessments, and. as usual. was very active
in debates. He made speeches on the French
spoliation claims, political assessments, the
extension of the bonded period, holiday re-
cess, admission of Dakota, tariff bill, govern
ment printing Office, capitol grounds. court
of claims and the Yellowstone Park.
Mr.. Frye is chairman of the Committee on
Rules, a member of the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections, of the Committee on
Claims. and Of the Committee on the Improve
ment of the Mississippi River. He was not
missed from his seat during the session, not
even leaving when his house was destroyed by
fire. He made a number of reports from the
Committee on Claims in cases involving much
investigation. He introduced joint resolu-
ftnu mr. idtuu for Uiy pntica IN tor ,,pa ITO
the fisheries articles of the Washington
Treaty, which he had the satisfaction of
seeing adopted. and he introduced a res
olution, which was adopted, authorizing
the Committee on Rules to revise the
Senate manual. As chairman of the com.
mittee charged with this duty. he will devote
much of the summer to it. Mr.. Frye made
q notable speech on the French spoliation
claims, and it was mainly owing to his efforts
that the bill, which provided to refer the
matter to the Court of Claims for adjudics-
tion as to the facts, passed the Senate, but,
owing to the filibustering IN the closing days
Of the Congress, there was no opportunity to
bring il up for consideration in the House, so
that the whole subject is a new one again in
q new Congress. Mr.. Frye also made
speeches on American shipping, on the Mis-.
sissippi river improvement, on the Ben Hal
liday claim, and he was one of the most
earnest advocates of New England interests
in the tariff debate. He was the most f0rmi-
dable antagonist Of the Louisiana sugar men
in his efforts to obtain cheaper sugar. His
eulogy upon Mr.. Orth was one of the few
eloquent speeches of the session. One of its
chief characteristics was its reference to the
Christian faith in future life, as contrasted
with the doubts expressed in q eulogy delv-
cred by Senator ingalls,.
Mr.. Reed OF the First District continued
to hold leading rank in the House. His po-
sition as Chairman of the Committee on the
Judiciary 10 one of the most influential places
in the House, and he is also a member Of the
Committee on Rules, and on Expenditures in
the Treasury Department. The latter CON-
mittee did little-although there was . very
great deal which it might have done. Mr..
Reed introduced few bills. He reported
from the Judiciary Committee bill relating
to the extension of the time for filing claims
before the Alabama court. which failed to
pass, and the rule relative to the tariff bill,
by the adoption of which alone the enactment
Of the tariff law was made possible. His
name 10 connected with a resolution. which
illustrates the remarkable industry of the
last session. which provided that the House
should hold daily sessions until six o'clock.
Mr.. Reed made speeches on nearly all the
gress. among them the congressional library
building, shipping bill. various appropriation
bills, charges against John Bailey, counter
feitine of foreign securities, bonded spirits
bill, the hours of labor in the executive de-
partments, and the tariff bill. Mr.. Reed is
himself convinced that, but for the rule, the
adoption of which was in great part due to
his influence. 4 tariff bill could not have been
passed.
Mr.. Dingley of the Second District has
rapidly taken rank among the leading men,
bers Of the House. He was appointed
member of the Committees on Banking and
Currency, on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic, and
on Shipbuiiding, and in each one of these
relations he performed q very conspicuous
part. As member of the Committee on
Banking and Currency he was noted for his
assiduous efforts in behalf of some legislation
which would restrict the coinage of the
silver dollar and help restore the country to
the adoption of sounder principles of finance.
And it was not owing to any lack of per-
sistence on Mr.. Dingley's part that some such
legislation was not enacted. 1t was due, in
fhe main, to Mr.. Dingley's untiring and
intelligent efforts, also, that the Shipping
Bill, which, if enacted, would have done %