New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-01-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c.. Jan. 20. 188

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 l, 400 in
the Senate. find, on comparison,
that this is an increase of 33 per cent.
over corresponding period Of the last
Congress.
Many Of these bills are of personal
character, such as pension and private
claims against the Government, but all
are appropriately referred to Commit
tees and must consume more or less
time in their examination by commit
tees. A few Congressman take their
task indifferently and have an easy
time, but the majority work hard and
more than earn all that they get.
There is marked difference between
the Senate and the House in the matter
of speech making. The Senators al
most universally prepare and write out
their speeches before delivery, and
there being no limit to their time, read
them in deliberate 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 necessi-
ty, the speeches must be impromptu,
and subject to repeated and annoying
Interruptions. The member who can
stand this incessant fire, keep his9 tenn
per, and cling to the question involved,
wins the praise of his associates and
takes a step higher in their regard. But
many good fellow has been buried
under his first speech, never to be
heard from again. Most new members
are very cautious nowadays about en-.
gaging in debate.
There is far more rivalry for leader
ship in the House than in the Senate.
The Senate is extremely dignifed and
has great regard for wha: Roscoe Conk-
ling termed "Senatorial courtesy" If
personalities are indulged in they come
in such way that the rough corners
are smoothed and rounded off so that
no effense is given, though the language
may be severely cutting. Nots so in the
House of Representatives. Turmoil
and confusion reign there. and the
greater the din, the more satisfaction
experienced, and the greater op-
portunity for direct, personal antago-
nism. There are scores of instances
every session where bitter enemies are
made, and ali 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-C Car.
Isle contested case. The result was q
unanimous vote of the Committee in
favor of the Speaker. This was expect
ed and therefore gives no surprise.
There are six other contested seats
which will probably be as easily settled.
The Senate committees are always
nine or eleven, the House thirteen or
fifteen, giving a majority in favor Of
the controlling party in either branch.
The Senate is Republican, the House
Democratic, and this fact should al
ways be remembered in the settlement
OF any party questions. ."
In the Senate Committee room on
Public Lands there was singular
meeting last Friday, and all by acci-
dent, which made it more remarkable.
There happened to be present five ex-
Governors of Kansas and two ex-Unit-
ed States Senators from the same state.
The coincidence was the subject of
good deal Of pleasantly, and Senators
left their seats to witness the unprece-
dented sight.
AS the session progresses, the lack of
democratic harmony becomes more ap.
parent. Mr.. Mills, of Texas, the Chair
man of the important Committee on
Ways and Means, assumes that the re-
sponsibilities of the entire Government
are upon his shoulders. He received a
severe back-set on Friday, through his
party associate, Mr.. Hatch, of missouri,
much to the merriment of the Republic
an side of the House. Mills is very ar
rogant. Hatch is practical and wants
straight business, and the result was
that Hatch scored several good points,
much to the discontinue of Mr.. Mills.
I do not know that there is any truth in
the report that he has put Mr.. Mills at
the head of this committee, still it is
though to be fact.
| have good reasons for believing that
there will be no action this session on
the Postal Telegraph bill. Desirable as
If NAV he the neon1e will have t0 wait