Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-01-21

of Congress. lie mentioned in pre-
senting the measure that the bust
ness of the country was increasing
so fast as to necessitate more work
from Congress. For years the Sen
ate has been the business end of the
Capitol. 1t has piled up work for
the House while the latter has wran-
gled over "point of order and prec
idence of business"
Washington, Jan. Is, 1886
Although the present session of
Congress began quietly, proceedings
at the Capitol became more animated
with each week. In the Senate there
has been an immense amount of
oratory on the silver question from
Democrats who felt constrained to
differ from the President and advo-
cate continued coinage.
The majority in the House of
Representatives, coerced by the con
tingency of possible Republican
restoration before 1888, adopted the
measure they once rejected, and now
the Hoar Presidential Succession
bill is ready for the Presidents sig-
nature. The first division of the
session on party lines, took place
over this bill, leading to little fill
clustering and several roll calls.
The opinion prevails among pub
lie men of all political shades that
the present session will be the live
liest for many years, although it
may not be marked by much legis-
lation beyond its appropriation bills.
1t is thought there is no chance Of
the House and Senate agreeing to
any general tariff bill, and on all
questions of currency and coinage
there is great diversity Of opinion
in both parties.
Some of the ablest leaders of the
Republican party are in the Senate
and as the Republicans retain con-
troll of that body, they will protect
and promote the interests Of the
party. Still it will be almost i'm
possible for any measure, of a dis
tinctively party character, to become
law during the life of the Forty
Ninth Congress. The Democratic
majority in the House, and the Re
publican majority in the Senate
each stands as an effective bar to
party legislation.
There can be no bargain, no com
promise, no agreement or arrange
ment by which any bill intended
merely to carry out the pledges of a
campaign platform, aud manufacture
political capital can escape defeat.
The most inexperienced new mem
Der knows this as well as the veter-
an member, and the country knows
it SO thoroughly that it will not be
disposed to tolerate a waste of time
in attempts at the impossible. For
this reason the Democrats, who are
getting ready to agitate certain ques-
tons that promise no practical re-
suits, have been admonished to let
them alone, and take up subjects on
which both parties can agree.
In Senatorial Republican caucus,
the relations between the President
and the Senate were discussed, and
the action to be taken upon his nom
nations in cases of suspension, and
particularly, the course to be pursued
in regard to obtaining explanations
for removals and appointments. 1t
was practically decided that if the
President and heads of Departments
do not produce the required informa-
ton, denominations are be shelyed
for the present. Owe can stand it
as long as the President can" said
one of the Senators, "aud if there is
a deadlock, we are prepared for it,"
Notwithstanding all that has been
said and written on the subject of
Civil Service appointments, the
pressure for Office is as great now