The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-01-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.



sion six weeks to-day, and while no
really practical achievements can be
pointed to in the way of legislation,
still a great deal of work has been
done. During this time 4,760 bills
have been introduced into the House,
and 400 in the Senate. l find. on
comparison, that this is an increase
of SO per cent. over corresponding
period of the last Congress.
Many of these bills are of per-
sonal character, such as pension and
private claims against the Govern
ment, but all are appropriately re-
ferred to Committees and must con-
sumo more or less time in their ex-
animation by committees. A few
Congressman take their task indif-
ferently and have an easy time, but
the majority work hard and more
than earn all that they get.
There is a marked difference be-
tween the Senate and the House in
the matter of speech making. The
Senators almost universally prepare
and write out their speeches before
\ delivery, and there being no limit
to their time, read them in a deliber-
ate and dispassionate manner. Right
the reverse in the House. There the
time is limited to one hour. The
issue to be discussed is often sprung
suddenly, and of necessity, the
speeches must be imprOmptu, and
subject to repeated annoying inter-
ruptiOns. The member who can stand
this incessant fire, keep his temper,
and cling to the question involved,
wins the praise of his associates and
takes step higher in their regard.
But many a good fellow has been
buried under his first speech, never
to be heard from again. Most new
members are very cautious now~a-
days about engaging in debate.
There is far more rivalry for lead.
ership in the House than in the Sen
ate. TheSenateis extremely dignified
and has great regard for what Roscoe
COnkling termed senatorial c0ur-
tesy." If personalities are INDUCED
in they come in such a way that the
rough corners are smoothed and
rounded off so that no offense is
given, though the language may be
severely cutting. Not so in the House
of Representative. Turmoil and con-
fusion reign there, and the greater
opportunity for direct, personal an
tagonism. There are scores of in
stances every session where bitter
enemies are made, and all growing
out of this great latitude given in
debate.
The House Committee on Elections
held long session on Saturday and
gave full hearing on the Thoebe-
Carlisle contested case. The result
was unanimous vote of the Com.
mittee in favor Of the Speaker. This
was expected and therefore gives no
surprise, There are six other con.
tested seats which will probably be
as easily settled. The Senate COM
mittees are always nine or eleven,
the House thirteen or fifteen, giving
majority in favor of the controlling
party in either branch. The Senate
is Republican, the House Democratic,
and this fact should always be re-
membered in the settlement of any
party questions.
In the Senate Committee room on
Public Lands there was a singular
meeting last Friday, and all by &C.
cident, which made it more remark.
able. There happened to be present
five ex-Goyern0rs of Kansas and two
eX-United States Senators from the
same state. The coincidence was the
subject of good deal of pleasantly,
and Senators left their seats to wit
ness the unprecedented sight.
AS the session progresses, the lack
of Democratic harmony becomes
more apparent. Mr.. Mills, of Texas,
the Chairman of the important Com
mittee on Ways and Means, assumes
that the responsibilities of the entire
Government are upon shis shoulders.
He received a severe back-set on
Friday, through his party associate,
Mr.. Hatch, of Missouri, much to the
merriment of the Republican side of
1 the House. Mills is very arrogant.
Hatch is practical and wants straight
business, and the result was that
Hatch scored several good points,
much to the discOmforture of Mr..
Mills. / do not know that there is
any truth in the report that Speaker
Carlisle has already expressed bis
regret that he has put Mr.. Mills at
the head of this committee, still it is
thought to be fact.
l have good reasons for believing
that there will be no action this ses.
| a;oa On tha DopfoI TroIanranh hilI