Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-01-20
WASHINGTON LETTER,
tFromour Regular correspondent.)

WASHINGTON. Jan. 16, 1888.
Congress has been nominally in session
six weeks to-day, and while no really
practical achievements can he pointed 10
in the way Of legislation, Till great deal
of work has been done. During this time
AGO bills have been introduced into the
House, and 400 in the Senate. find,
on comparison, that this is an increase OF
33 per cent. over a 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 COM
mittees and must consume more or less
time in their examination by committees.
A few Congressman take their task indif-
ferenlly and have an easy time, but tie
majority work hard and more than earn
all that they get.
There Is n marked difference between the
Senate and the House in the matter Of
speech making. The Senators almost uni.
versally prepare and write out their
speeches before delivery, and there being
no limit to their time, read them in de-
liberaie 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 ol
necessity, the speeches must be impromrtu,
and subject 10 repeated and annoying in
terruptions. The member who can stand
this incessant fire. keep his temper, and
cling to the question involved, wins the
higher in their regard. But many good
fellow has been buried under his first
peech, 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 leadership
IN the House than in the Senate. TheSen-
ate Is extremely dignified and has great
regard for what Roscoe Conkling termed
Senatorial courtesy" II personalities are
sndulged in they come in such a way that
the rough corners are smoolhed and round
ed off 30 that no offense is given, though
the language may be severely cutting. Not
30 in the House of Representatives. Tur-
moil and confusion reign there, and the
greater the din, the more satisfaction ex-
perienced, and the greater opportunity for
direct, personal antag3nism. There are
scores of instances every session where
bitter enemies are made, and all growing
out of this great latitude given IN debate.
The House Committee on Elections held
n long session on Saturday, and gave full
hearing on the Thoebe- Carlisle contested
case. The result WAS unanimous vote of
the Committee in favor OF the Speaker.
This was expected and therefore gives no
surprise. There are six other contested
seats which will probably be a. easily
settled. The Senate committees are always
nine or eleven, the House thirteen or 6f-
teen, giving majority in favor Of the
controlling party in either branch. The
Senate ia Republican. the House Demo-
cratic, 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 accident, which made
il more remarkable. There happened TO
be present five ex-Governors OF Kansas and
two ex-Uniled States Senators from the
same state. The coincidence was the sub
ject Of good deal OF pleasantly, and Sem
ators left their seats to witness the unpre-
cedented sight.
As the session progresses, the lack Of
Democratic harmony becomes more appar'
ent. Mr.. Mills, of Texas, the chairman OF
the Important Committee on Ways and
Means, assumes that the responsibility Of
the entire government are upon his should
0rs. lie received severe back-Bet on
Friday, through his party associate, Mr..
Hatch, Of Missouri, much to the merri-
ment of the Republican side of the House.
Mills is very arrogant. Hatch Ia practical
and wants straight business, and the result
was that Hatch scored several good points,
much 10 the discontinue OF Mr.. MIlls.
donot know that there ia any truth In the
report that Speaker Carlisle has already
expressed his regret that he has put Mr..
Mills ut the head OF this committee, still
it is thought 10 be fact,