The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-04-30
WASHINGTON LET TER
From our Regular Correspondent

IFrom our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. D. c., April 26, 1886.
A Democratic Senator who is posted
as to the condition of business in Con
gress, and the probable course of events
in that body, said yesterday "Every-
thing seems to be settling down to a
long session of Congress. 1t is true
that Members of the House talk about
getting away the latter part of June.
But this is simply impossible. In the
first place the legislation that is abso-
lutely necessary mean the appropria-
ton bills--is not in a forward state.
Besides, there will be considerable dis
cussion on some Of the appropriation
bills in the House, and you may rest
assured that the Senate will take its
time to consider the important appro-
priation bills and not hurry itself as it
used to do, when the Republican ma
jority there hastily considered them,
following the lead of the Senate Appro-
pration Committee in increasing the
expenditures, and being upheld in this
by friendly Administration.
"When do you think Congress will
adjourn p | asked.
81 do not think we will get away
before the middle of August. You
see we have mere to do this session
than we have had for many years.
There is the question Of building up
our Navy. 1t is an important ques-
ton, and one in which there is some
division of opinion, not as to the ne.
cessity of increasing the Navy, but as
to the details. Then we nave to settle
upon a comprehensive plan of coast
defence, and make start in the con-
struction of heavy ordnance. The de
bate ON the tariff will consume consid-
erable time both In the House and in
the Senate. The River and Harbor
bill now before the House is likely to
consume some time yet. Then there
will be discussion upon the report of
the commission that has investigated
the scientific bureaus, and above all,
that the consideration of the perplex-
ing labor question will help to spin out
the session. We shall be lucky" said
he, ''if we get away by the middle of
August"
He was in favor of Congress meet.
ing earlier in the fall, say as early as
November for the long session, and as
early as October for the short term.
He also thought the life of Congress
should begin and end in April, instead
of March. This would give plenty of
time to consider Legislation, and would
give the best season of the year in this
climate.
And it is quite probable the date of
the Presidents Inauguration will be
changed from the fourth of March to
the thirtieth of April. The amend
ment recently introduced in the Senate
to that effect seems to be popular. 1t
would be difficult to find any object.
ions to the change, and there are many
reasons why it is desirable Since our
first President was inaugurated on the
3Oth of April, historically the day is
the proper one.
During the week, the room in which
Jay Gould, Grand Master Workman
Powderly and other distinguished
witnesses were being examined with
regard to the great Strike, was the
chief point of interest on Capitol Hill
So great was the interest and curiosity
of the public in this investigation, thai
it finally became necessary because o.
the surging crowd, to exclude all ex-
cept the witnesses, members of Con
gress, and representatives of the press
The seven Congressman composing
the committee which conducted this in
vestigation are all lawyers by pro
fession, a class of men who are rigidly
communicated by the Knights o.
Labor. All men who honestly labo
are eligible for admission to the orde
of the Knights of Labor, except lawyer
and bankers.
1t has been said that these commit
teemen are all millionaires too, but they
are not. Burnes, of Missouri, is ad
mitted to be the weathiest man among
them. Curtin, the chairman, has no
the reputation of a wealthy man, al
though he says himself that he own
some stock in railroad that pays
Grain is clever, but he is not a capital
ist and will probably never be, becaus,
be spends his money too freely. Outh
waite, of Ohio, started life as a schoo
teacher Stewart, of Vermont, ha
been Governor of his State, which il
taken as an assurance of his poverty
Buchanan, of New Jersey, is railroad
lawyer, but he has generally been a
gainst the railroad. Parker, of New
York, is the only member of the com
mittee who evinced disposition t.
give Mr.. Gould facilities for putting
on record just whatever Mr. Gould de
sired.