The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-17
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Democratic Majority in the
House Unhappy.
Hard Work Experienced by the Lead
ers in Keeping Their Forces In
Order.
The General Pension Bill Not Likely
to Pass the House.

ON IN Reported for the Press']
~ SGToN, May 15th.-The leaders of
the Democratic majority of the House are
unhappy very unhappy. Their pet schemes
won't work, and in spite of their 40 majority
they have great difficulty in keeping the Re-
publican minority from doing what sthey
wish Many of the rank and file are inclined
to ''kick over the traces" and the leaders
find it difficult to keep their forces in order.
One day last week Mr.. Morrison was closet
ed with the proprietor of the leading Demo-
cratic daily of this city, and in the next issue
of the paper appeared the following wall, in
the editorial columns;
at is matter of complaint among prominent
Democratic members of Congress that the time OF
the House is being wasted and business delayed
by the nOn-attendanee of members. Day after
dav the House is without quorum and legislation
is blocked by this point being raised. Democrat
ic majorities in the committees, it is stated, are
rendered minorities by non attendance, Democrat
ic propositions are defeated and Republicans are
carrying their measures and amendments in the
House through the non-attend2nce of the Demo-
Gratis Only yesterday Republican proposition
to increase by 100000 the appropriation for
feated by only bare majority in the House,
It's known that this was the direct result
of Morrison's visit and that it expresses his
feelings, his pet and pride, the tariff bill,
bids fair to fall through for this session at
least. His only hope for getting it up for
consideration being to catch an opportune
moment when number of the opponents of
the bill are absent and its supporters are
present in force and he is realizing that that
moment is difficult one to find. Each days
delay lessons the chances of the bill being
taken up at all, as the weather will soon be-
come so unbearably hot that there will be
little disposition on the part of most of the
members to remain here to listen to old
speeches upon subject which has been
worn threadbare in almost every Congress
in the last decade. 1t is doubtless hard for
Mr.. Morrison to see his plan defeated, es-
pecially as in the opinion of many, his party
is very likely not to have control of the next
House, but it looks as though he would be
obliged to ''grin and bear it.
The General Pension Bill.
The pension bill now under consideration
In the Senate provides that any soldier OF the
army or navy who served for the period OF
six months during the war and was honora-
bly, discharged, who is or shall become disa-
bled from any cause not the result of his own
gross carelessness, disreputable conduct or
vicious habits, and is dependent upon his
own labor for support, shall, upon due
proof of the facts be entitled to a pension
proportionate to the degree of disability, and
dating from the time of filing an application.
The highest rate, to be paid for total inca
pacity for manual labor is twenty-four dol
lars per month. Dependent parents are en-
titled to twelve dollars per month, and hav-
ing established the fact and cause of death,
and the fact that the soldier left no
widow or minor children, are only required
to give proof that they are without other
present means of support than his or her
own manual labor OF contributions from 9th
ers not legally bound for his or her support.
1t is estimated that the bill will take about
$25, ,000, 900 annually from the treasury An
amendment has been prepared fixing the
rate in all cases to the disabled soldier at
eight dollars per month. The bill will prob
ably pass the Senate as it has done once be-
fore, but as the House has manifested a dis
position to sit down upon any further PEN
sion legislation, it is not likely to pass that
body this session.
Another Official Ill.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-The acting secre-
tary of the treasury has designated Horace
A. Whitney, cashier, to be acting assistant
treasurer during the absence of Mr.. Whel-
pley, who is in bad health.
Postal Changes in Maine.
The following changes affecting the postal
service in Maine are announced:
Postnaasters Commissioned.
A r HANDY North Deer Isle.
G. A. White Gardiner
S. II. Eaton, Somerset Mills.
Acti,lg Postmaster.
C. CLANCY, East Wilton.
Star SerUice Changes.
Route 264, North Appleton to Warren railway
station new office) from April 80, for supply OF
the post office at Elmwood, increase distance
lao rods.
Changes in Star Schedules.
Route from Mexico to Rumford. Schedule for
additional service: leave Rumford Centre Mon-
days, Wednesdays and Fridays at a. nj leave
Rumford Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays al
$50 p. m. c., r;,+
Leave Steen Falls daily except Sundays at 4.30 p.
m. :: leave South Limington at $50 a. m.
Route from West Eden to West fremont Leave
West Eden daily except Sundays at p. M, OF on
arrival of the mail from Ellsworth; leave west
fremont at 6.3o a. IN.
Star Sercice Established.
Route 462 Hanover to Locks Mills, by East
Bethel new ofhce) 8 miles and back: six times
week; from July 1, 1886, to June 80, 1877.
Special Serrice Discontinued.
Hanover, from Rumford Point. From June
80, on Route 462.