Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-05-01
Washington Letter.
To the Standard.


ed as to the condition of business in
Congress, and the probable course of
events in that body, said yesterday:
Everything seems to be settling
down to 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 i'm
possible. In the first place the legis-
lation that is absolutely necessarily
mean the appropriation bills-is not
ina forwardstate. Besides, there will
be considerable discussion 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 appropriation bills and
not hurry itself as it used to do, when
the Republican majority there hastily
considered them, following the lead
of the Senate Appropriation Commit
tee in increasing the expenditures,
and being upheld in this by a friendly
Administration.
"When do you think Congress will
adjournw / asked.
81 do not think we will get away
before the middle of August. You
see we have more to do this session
than we have had for many years.
There is the question of building up
our Navy. 1t is an importont ques-
ton, and one in which there is some
division of opinion, not as to the
necessity of increasing the Navy, but
as to the details. Then we have to
settle upon comprehensive plan of
coast defence, and make a start in
the construction of heavy ordnance.
The debate on the tariff will consume
considerable 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 perplexing 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 the middle of 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 probably the date
of the presidents Inauguration will
be chagged from the fourth of March
to the thirtieth of April. The amend
ment recently introduced in the
Senate to that effect seems to be popu-
lar. 1t would be difficult to find any
objections to the change, and there
are many reasons why it is desirable.
Since our first President was inaugu.
rated on the 3Oth of April, historical
ly the day is the proper one.
During the week, the room in
which Jay Gould, Grand Master
Workman Powderly and other dis.
tinguished witnesses were being eX.
amined 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, that it finally be-
came necessary because of the surg
ing crowd, to exclude all except the
witnesses, members of Congress, and
representatives of the press.
The seven congressman composing
the committee which conducted this
investigation are all lawyers by pro
fessiOn, a class of men who are rigidly
communicated by the Knights o
Labor. All men who honestly Labor
are eligible for admission to the ordel
of the Knights of Labor, except law
years and bankers.
1t has been said that these commit
teemen are all millionaires too, bu
they are not. Burnes, of Missouri, i
admitted to be the wealthiest MAJ
among them. Curtain, the chairman
has not the reputation Of wealthy
man, although he says himself tina
he owns some stock in railroad tina
pays. Grain is clever, but he is no
a capitalist and will probably neve
be, becase he spends his money to-
freely. Cultivate, Of Ohio, startet
life as school teacher. Stewart, @
| Vermont, has been Governor OF hi
State which i taken rs an aSSuronp