Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-09
DOlNGS IN CONGRESS.
A Belief That the Appropriation Bills
Will ali be Passed Before March
4th-The Action of the House
Looked Forward TO With
Much Interest.
WASHINGTON. Feb. !

The condition of the business in Congress
Is such that the minority in either house can
easily force an extra session, but if the pur-
| pose to do so is anywhere entertained the
tact has not been made known and the lead
ers IN both houses express the opinion that
the appropriation bills will all be passed be-
fore the 4th of March, in which case, of
course, no extra session would be necessary.
This will require the abandonment of many
important measures which have perfected in
one house or the other, and 1t NAV be added
that not much general legislation, other than
that which may be attached to the appropria-
ton bills, can in any event be enacted
The discussion in the Senate upon Mr.
ingalls, motion to so amend the rules of that
body as to allow general legislative measures
germane to the subject OF appropriation
Diils to be appended thereto As a rule while
II no direct result other than to put upon
record the expression of senatorial opinions
that the rules of the house are in need of re-
vision, yet IN some sense il opened the way
tor the solution of the difficulties ALWAYS ex-
pected to arise between the two houses as the
end OF session draws nigh for senatorial
conterees, will in view of this discussion,
feel more at liberty to assent the meritorious
propositions coming from the House as nd
ers, than heretofore. The motion was re-
ferred TO the committee on rules. Should it
be reported favorsbly and adopted it will
simplify matters still fnrther by legalizing
practise, which, though considered undesira-
bic and often mischievous, is recognized as
almost an imperative necessity in certain
emergencies.
The action of the House tomorrow is
looked forward to with much interest, as il
Is supposed that the chances for an extra ses-
sion will thereby be increased TO probability
or reduced 10 nothing, The body will as
sembie at 10 o'clock, as in COMMUNICATION OF
the last legislative day,
The most active promoters of the river and
harbor bill have announced their purpose to
resist the adjournment formality at II
O'Clock, noon, and immediate reassembling
is on the next legislature day. They will
endeavor to continue the last legislature
throughout the session if necessary to secure
the passage of their measure.
In the vote TO take recess instead of adj
Journment, last night, the friends of the river
and harbor bill were found to be in strong
minority, but the issue was not then squarely
made as between that measure on one hand
and one of the regular appropriation bills,
with the prospective extra session, on the
other. Such will be the issue tomorrow.
Of the IS regular appropriation bills only
one, the military academy bill, has bassed its
last stage in Congress. 1t awaits the action
of the president
The consular and diplomatic and the Dis
trict of Columbia bills have passed the two
Houses, but still await the adjustment of
differences.
The pension bill is upon the Senate caen-
dar, ready for consideration by the Senate
The army, Indian and agricultural bills
have passed the house. The postoffice, legis-
lative, executive and judicial bills are on the
House calendar. The remaining regular
appropriation bills, sundry, civil navy, torti-
tications and general deficiency bill have not
yet made their appearance in either House.
The course of affairs in the Senate during
the present week is involved in considerable
doubt. Wednesday will be devoted to the
counting of ELECTORAL votes. The previous
appropriation bill will probably be taken up
tomorrow, and passed.
The Indian, army and agricultural appro-
priation bills are IN the hands of this Senate
committee on appropriation and NAV be re-
ported in time for action on one or two of
them before the end of the week
The unfinished business is the anti-silver
coinage bill, and several of the Senators
have prepared speeches on it. If the measure
be not set aside bv other than appropriation
bills, there is a prOcpect that it may be dis
posed of before the end of the week.
The bill to prohibit the importation of con-
tract labor, that for the admission of the State
of Tacoma washington Territory land
grant forfeiture bills, bill to declare railroad
lands subject to tBxaiion and the Pacific rail-
roads sixty year bill, are the measures which
are more likely than any others to secure the
attention OF the Senate during the week and
the remainder of the session when the appro-
priotion bill are not before that body.
In the House, if the appropriation COM
mittee is successful tomorrow in opposing the
further consideration of the river and harbor
bill, the postoffice appropriation bill will be
called up.