Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-01-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, JAN. 16,

w A1AAAN0A04N4 y @Akts 40 AN>NSe's
Congress has been uominally in
sessions six weeks to-day, and while
no really practical achievements can
be pointed to in the way of legisla.
ton, still a great deal of work has
been done. During this time 4, 760
bills have been introduced into the
House, and 1,400 in the Senate. |
find, on comparison, that this is an
increase Of 80 per cent. over a cor
responding period of last Congress.
Many OF these bills are of q per,
sonal character, such as pension and
private claims against the Govern
ment, but all are appropriately refer
red to Committees and must con
sumo more or less time in their ex
animation by committees. A few
Congressman take their task indlf-
fercntly aud have an easy time, but
the majority work hard aud earn
more than they get.
There is o 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 deliber-
ate and dispasionate 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 and annoying
interruptions. The member who
can stand this incessant fire, keep
his temper, aud cling to the question
involved. wins the praise OF his as
sociates and takes step higher in
their regard. But many good fvl-
low 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. The Senate is extremely digni
fed and has great regard for what
Roscoe Conkling termed "Senator-
ial courtesy 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 Representatives. Turmoil
and confusion reign there, and the
greater the din, the more satisfac-
lion experienced, 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
ont of this great latitude OF debate.
The House Committee OH elections
held a long session Oh Saturday and
gave a full hearing on the Thoebe-
Carlisle contested case. The result
was a unanimous vote of the commit
tee 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 CON-
mittees are always nine or eleven,
the House thirteen or fifteen, giving
IA majority in favor of the controlling
party in either branch. The Senate
is Republican, the House Democra
tic, 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 singular
meeting last Friday, and all by acct
dent, which makes it more remark
able. There happened to be present
FIVE exGovernors of Kansas and
two ex- United States Senators from
the same state. The coincidence
was the subject of a good deal of
pleasantly, and the Senators left
their seats to witness the unprece-
dented sight,
AS the session progresses, the lack
Of Democratic harmony becomes
more apparent. Mr.. Mills. of Tex
as, the chairman OF the important
Committee on Ways and Means, as.
sumes that the responsibilities of the
entire government are upon his
shoulders. He received severe
back-set on Friday, through his
party associate, Mr.. Hatch, of Mis-.
souri,, much to the merriment of The
Republican side of the House. Mills
is very arrogant. Hatch is practi
Cal and wants straight business, aud
the result was that Hatch scored
several good points, much to the dis
comfiture of Mr.. Mills. l do not
know that there is any truth in the
report that Speaker Carlisle has al
ready expressed his regret that he
has put Mr.. Mills at the head of this
committee. still it is thought to be a
fact.
| | have good reasons for believing
that there will be no action this SEES
sion on the Postal Telegraph bill.
Desirable as it NAV be the people
will have to wait for a Republican
| House. This is confidently eypect.