Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-14
WASHINGTON, d. C. Dec. IL. 1885.
MEETING OF CoNoREss.


Editor Kenxebee Journal:
The advent of Congress seemed to have
terrible effect on the weather, for it was
January air that blew in the faces OF our
Solons a. they wended their way to the Capt.
toll. However, once inside, the air was
warm enough and 80 we're most of the greet
ings, on the democratic side particularly, for
it was very novel thing for that portion to
meet under q democratic administration.
Nearly quarter of . century has elasped
since such a thing happened. and these exu-
berant spirits were excusable. As usual on
such occasions, floral decorations were
abundant and beautiful. Senator Logan
seemed to have the largest load in the Senate,
and Speaker Carlisle in the House, although
a young congressman from Chicago, Lawler
by name, seemed, for some unaccountable
reason, to carry of the palm for extras on the
floor OF the house. His anrecedents are OF
sort of pot-house or ward style best known
to Chicagosns, hence the singularity of these
Manifestations.
THE HOUSE RULES.
1t is evident that the proceedings of Con-
gress will be of no especial interest until
after the holidays. The custom of allowing
the Speaker ample time to make up his COM
mttees will be followed, and what is more,
the trouble about the old House rules may
cause a still longer delay There is deci-
ded disposition (Which is not confined to
either party to have more freedom and less
dictation from the few-that IS, to get out
from the Randall style of legislature which
reduced Congress to a sort of auditing COM
mittee. OF course the breaking up of these
rules might lead possibly to a tendency to ex-
travagance in expenditures; but even that
would seem better than extreme par
simony under dictation. In other words,
and palmer, there is disposition
to kick out of the traces which have
been pretty tight for a number of wears. one
effect Of which has already been protested
against by the President in his message, viz. {:
the cutting down of the salaries of foreign
ambassadors and consuls to starvation condi-
tons. and thus injuring the standing and eff
cheney Of our foreign officials. The remedy
may come thus tardily but much injury which
has ensued cannot be effaced.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The message of the President is generally
well spoken of, although the peculiar posi-
ton taken on the tariff is causing
tic cATeulSt5 vi UOtu SUES VI t0aL uluCn
battered subject to find fault because neither
can claim him. He certainly lodged the issue
better than his party did in the campaign; and
his positiveness on the silver issue makes this
apathy (if we may so call it) on the tariff
issue, more apparent and perplexing to them.
However, the President seems to be q man
possessed of much of that property called
hard sense, and shows by this light touch up
on difficult question that he prefers that
Congress should take the initiative if any is
to be taken. And it is also evidently appar-
ent to him that in the present condition of
our revenue and the political status of the
two houses of Congress, Ito say nothing of
the rival factions on this question: that but
little tinkering or legislation of that nature
can be effected
Hon. THOMAS B. REED.
The republicans paid high but deserved
compliment t. Representative Reed in casting
unanimous vote for him for Speaker. Mr..
Reed although comparatively young IL Con-
gress, is already old in usefulness, is a good
worker. An effective and pungent speaker, .
good parliamentarian, and is liked by nearly
all the members of the House whatever shade
Of politics they may be; and should the re-
publicans come into possession of the next
House, and Reed be reelected, he will stand
the best chance for Speaker.
CHRIsTMAs-SENAroRs FRYE AND HALE.
The city is now pretty full of strangers and
other outsiders who are not strangers and the
gay season may be fairly called open
Christmas festivities will be pretty freely in
dulged in a. hard times do not so particularly
affect US here.
Senator and Mrs. Frye are again located al
their old quarters THE Hamilton" q small
but exceedingly comfortable hotel. Senator
Hale has his own quarters, a large house in
which he has been making many new i'm
provements. T.. b.